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Modifying Your Home to Match Your Aged Loved One’s Needs

Old age comes with physical, cognitive, and mental challenges, undermining aged people’s self-dependence. Older adults often require round-the-clock supervision, prompting family members to enroll them in nursing homes. However, some families prefer having their senior members at home, which necessitates modifying the house to meet their needs.

Seniors often have chronic or terminal illnesses like dementia, diabetes, or hypertension. Conditions like Alzheimer’s disease predispose them to slips and falls, resulting in fractures and death. Families may protect their loved ones against such incidences by modifying their homes using various medical devices.

Mitigating Accidents in the Bathroom

Installing medical aids in the bathroom mitigates slips and falls, reinforcing safety. Unfortunately, many accidents involving aged persons happen in the bathroom; they are at risk of slipping on wet floors. One way to mitigate accidents entails installing shower mats to make the floor slip-proof. The mats are made of soft rubber held in position by suction cups.

Homeowners may also install wall grab bars that aged persons may hold on to when using the bathroom. Install the grab bar at the right height to optimize its use. Moreover, you may install it vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, depending on the features you want to optimize.

For example, vertical grab bars are easier to grip and pull oneself up than horizontal bars. In contrast, horizontal grabs provide adequate length for support when walking across the bathroom.

Lastly, elderly persons may require bath seats to reduce the strain on their bodies when showering. Bath seats can prevent fatal slips because anti-slip legs hold the chairs in position. Moreover, the seats have contours and drainage holes to drain excess water, mitigating slips.

Easing Movements Within and Outside the House

Medical aids foster portability among elderly persons, reinforcing their self-dependence. Some families assume portability aids are unnecessary because someone will always be present and ready to assist their aged loved one.

However, a family member cannot always be present, especially if they have other responsibilities or chores. Consequently, aged persons may slip and fall when reaching for a glass of water or even picking their medication from the shelf.

Power wheelchairs enable aged persons to move efficiently within the house with minimal fall risk. They are self-operated, meaning senior persons can move around the house without additional assistance. Moreover, aged persons may use power wheelchairs outside the house, easing movement.

Walkers offer an alternative to power wheelchairs; they are suitable when aged persons are not incapacitated. Modern walkers have wheels, making them easier to use, especially on smooth surfaces. Older adults may use walkers for safety and health reasons. For example, walkers offer support when walking, preventing accidents. Moreover, walkers allow aged persons to exercise, boosting their fitness.

Managing Challenges Associated With Urine Incontinence

Lastly, families may acquire medical aids for their aged members with urine incontinence. Urine incontinence is a common issue among elderly patients; it is a side effect of some medications or impaired neural control. The condition is often untreatable in old age but can be managed.

Families may purchase various underpads depending on the intended use. Underpads are cost-effective because most are reusable over long periods before needing replacement. You may place underpads on chairs, vehicle seats, and beds to absorb the urine and protect the fabrics.

Alternatively, aged persons may wear protective underwear instead of using underpads. The underwear fits like normal clothing and can be worn at any time. Moreover, they conceal the fact that an older adult has urine incontinence issues.

Purchasing Medical Aids

Interested families should consult medical supply stores for personalized advice on modifying their homes to suit their aged members’ needs. Clients living in Minnesota should visit the nearest Corner Home Medical store or shop online for quality medical aids.