Preparing the Home

There comes a time when  your parent might have to move in. Health issues, financial issues, and other problems might have necessitated the move, but you need to make sure that your home is prepared to take on another person, especially if they need assistance. There are some preparations that you can do before the move has been made so as to be ready for home health care.

Ease of maneuvering and safety are important even when you're in the home by yourself, much more so when there's someone else to care for. Bathrooms are often the first place one should look to change when having a parent move in. Installing grab bars in the shower and near the toilet are great ideas for safety since water tends to make floors slippery. Put rugs and other coverings over the tile so as to prevent as much slippage as possible.

Any door to your home can also pose a problem if you have small steps on the threshold. While it may not seem like much, the act of entering or leaving your home can be stressful for an elder if they need help with walking. You can get portable ramps that can be placed at any doorway that will work to ease the process. This simple fix will significantly help if your parent has arthritis or has had any surgery to their hip or knees.

These simple fixes can go a really long way in making your home safer for home care of an elder. Whether you're doing it yourself, or you've hired a professional caregiver, safety in your home is the most important thing that you can improve.

If you're in the Westford, Massachusetts area and are looking for home health care tips, we have a Senior Helpers location that can help you make your home safe for your parent.