Make Your Home Comfortable for Older Adults During the Holidays
Aging isn’t what it used to be. The word “elderly” evokes images of people in wheelchairs who resist change, stare at TV all day, and avoid technology. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Many people in the 60 and older crowd are enjoying active and healthy lives. They’re living longer than the previous generation because they keep their minds and bodies active. They work longer, exercise more, and embrace a healthy diet.
Despite this shift in attitude and the development of life-enhancing medical technology, most older adults will reach a time in their lives when safety and comfort become issues.
On that note, it’s a good idea to be prepared to make some adjustments if an older person will be staying with you through the holidays.
Keep Your Home Comfortable for Older Adults
Lease a Self Storage Unit
How does self storage fit into this picture? You may not have extra room in your garage or attic, but self storage will give you the space you need to declutter. By opening up more space, an elderly person can move freely without obstacles. This will provide an easier flow through the house and help to prevent falls.
My Storage Plus has a variety of types and sizes of units for short- or long-term storage. A 5 x 5 self storage unit is about the size of a standard closet. This provides enough room for excess furniture and other miscellaneous items.
Declutter for Safety
Adequate space for moving around is important for people who struggle with balance, movement, or poor vision. Rearrange furniture to allow for wide pathways. Now that you’ve leased a self storage unit, you’ll have a place to store extra furniture, throw rugs, and decor that may block walkways and corridors in your home. You can clean out the guest room so that it’s pleasant and comfortable.
Prepare a Quiet Space
If you’re having an elderly person as a guest during the holidays, they need to have a quiet, private guest room. Don’t put them on a pull-out sofa in the family room or in with one of the children. They need a place to nap and recharge if the party becomes overwhelming.
Be Aware of Household Hazards
Vision, balance, and space orientation become diminished as people advance in age, prompting the need for good lighting. Lightbulbs should range from 75 to 150 watts, and you can install temporary night lights in hallways and bathrooms.
Add grab bars in the tub or shower and remove all area rugs or secure them with double-sided carpet tape, Gorilla Grip rug pads, or rug grippers. If seniors want to help with Christmas dinner prep, pick up some inexpensive lightweight cookware with easy to grip handles.
You can also keep your loved one engaged in the holiday activities with simple tasks like folding napkins, rolling dough, or arranging centerpieces. These are enjoyable tasks that will keep your elderly relatives safe and happy.
Keep Noise at a Reasonable Level
It can be difficult to keep the noise at an acceptable level when you have a large family that includes little ones. While noise is a part of any family event, it can be difficult for seniors with hearing problems or dementia to fully enjoy the festivities. Keep the music volume low and sit your loved one away from speakers.
Plan the Day
Older adults need extra time to process plans. Give your loved one an overview of your holiday celebration, and explain who will be attending. Be sure that he or she is included in any games or other activities that you have planned. It’s ideal to have a designated person to guide them during these events.
Be Cautious with Medications
During the holiday chaos, it’s important to keep older family members on their medication schedule. First, be sure that they remember to bring their medications and be aware of the scheduled dosage. Secondly, be aware of whether alcohol consumption will interfere with medications. You don’t want to spend the day in the ER.
Make Memories
The most important part of the day are the memories you make. Your joy lies in sharing the day and enjoying the company.
The holidays are the perfect opportunity to create special memories that you can cherish for years to come. Assign one of your family members to take videos and photos. You’ll treasure them as time passes.
