by Susan Griswold
Many San Diego caregivers provide assistance to their loved ones in their own home and chances are their home was not equipped for the type of tasks they manage on a daily basis. Even if you travel to your loved ones’ home to provide care, making their home a safer place can provide relief to them and peace of mind for you.
To create a home that enhances, not hinders, the care you provide consider a few of the suggestions listed below. The following came from AARP, which even has a printable check list on their site to simplify the process of making your home safe:
- Lever door and faucet handles
- Adjustable closet rods
- Night-lights
- No scatter rugs
- Handrails on both sides of staircase
- Large rocker light switches
- Grab bars for toilet and tub
- Peepholes or view panels on doors
- Hand-held adjustable showerhead
- Nonskid surface for tub/shower floor
- Bathroom telephone within reach
- Adjustable shower seat
- Bright lighting
In addition, be sure and talk to your loved ones and see what would be most helpful. Making just a few of these changes could lead to greater independence for them and a more convenient household for you both.
Susan Griswold is part of the marketing team at San Diego Hospice and The Institute of Palliative Medicine team. She enjoys teaching herself how to cook, traveling, and trying new things.
Not only do the referenced items help but the biggest one is to reduce clutter to a minimum and have stable surfaces around for both patient and caregiver.
Think about the height of items, be it the towels, the tissues, the soaps. Think about function. ( bar of soap versus pump soap or sponge versus wash cloth to hold). These are for the caregiver as well. Be well.
Susan http://www.revivalredesign.blogspot.com
Thank you for those extra tips Susan! Reducing clutter and being mindful of the height of everyday objects are great things to keep in the front of your mind when considering making household changes. Great ideas!
Susan G.
Those tips you listed in a quick, easy-to-reference way are truly helpful, Susan G. I found the lever handles, adjustable closet racks and hand-held showerhead suggestions particularly useful, because I would not have thought of them on my own. I appreciate your keeping readers informed!
Pamela
Thanks for commenting Pamela; I am so happy you found the tips useful!
Susan G.