As individuals reach their golden stage of life, they often need some help with daily living activities. Those who wish to age in place might need particular assistance with getting around the house. Medical alert systems, kitchen safety features, elderly-friendly bathrooms, safe access points, and transportation can all help with aging in place. Yet in-home elder care services tie all these other elements together.
Coastal Home Care offers such services to residents of Lewes, DE. Our team of skilled caregivers operates under experienced registered nurses, and we offer everything from companionship to memory care. Confidentiality and accommodation are among our guiding philosophies, so we match every client with a caregiver who makes them feel comfortable. Contact us today at (866) 687-7307 to schedule a consultation.
Below, we offer tips for aging in place:
1. Medical Alert Systems + Elder Care Services = Victory
A medical alert system offers those aging in place a way to get help from professionals at any time. These devices can save lives and prevent a senior’s condition from worsening before assistance arrives, all at the press of a button. Alert devices can be freestanding, worn around the neck or wrist, and even installed on walls in frequently used rooms.
2. Improve Safety In the Kitchen
Aging-in-place patients need food and drinks like anyone else, which requires trips to the kitchen when a relative or an elderly care provider can’t help. So, prevent falls in the kitchen with rubber mat installations or another sure-foot flooring. Other smart kitchen updates include:
- Replacing dishware with shatterproof options
- Tucking away sharp utensils and knives
- Installing lightweight fire extinguishers
- Keeping cookware and dry goods within arm’s reach
3. Create an Elderly-friendly Bathroom
In 2014, over 29 million seniors in the US experienced slip-and-fall accidents at home. Many of these incidents occurred in bathrooms, which makes it a hazardous location for those aging in place. Improve bathroom safety for the elderly with:
- Non-slip floor mats
- Handrails in the shower, at bath exit and entry points, and by the toilet
- Grippers on the bottom surface of tubs and showers
- High-seated toilets
- Water-resistant medical alert system on the shower wall and near toilets
Such features can also make it easier for caregivers to assist clients with navigating the bathroom safely.
4. Install Safe Access Points Inside and Out
While senior care facilities are designed with mobility in mind, homes may not contain such elements. Even if your senior requires no wheelchairs, canes, or walkers at the moment, you can make aging in place more feasible by adjusting for those devices. For instance, add an ADA-approved ramp to the primary entryways of the home.
Those who use (or may use) mobility devices will want floors with smooth transitions to prevent trips and falls. Should stairs be present, start looking into stair-lift devices.
5. Find Alternate Transportation Options
A friend, relative, or an elderly home care provider can help transport individuals who cannot drive themselves from place to place or who don’t have access to public transportation. Almost everyone wants to get around for shopping, dining, entertainment, and doctor appointments. Having a plan for senior transportation can help them enjoy aging in place.
Consider Elder Care Services & Elderly Home Care in Lewes, DE
Not every senior will have the same needs, as some may require more help at home than others. Nevertheless, elderly home care services provide qualified caregivers who can cater to such needs. The different types of in-home senior care services—including partial home care, short-term home care, long-term home care, or a full-time live-in companion—can help you find something that fits your senior’s lifestyle. Turn to Coastal Home Care for elder care services in Lewes, DE. Contact us at (866) 687-7307 to schedule a consultation today.