As your loved one ages, their needs and abilities will change. They may develop health conditions or become more vulnerable to illness, accident, and injury. It may be harder for them to get around their home safely and easily, especially if they are using a mobility aid. If your loved one isn’t ready to transition into an assisted living facility, you can make some modifications to their home to allow them to age in place.

Scheduling a home safety evaluation, collaborating with their physician about their needs, and making safety modifications and adjustments to their home can allow your loved one to stay safe, comfortable, and healthy in their home rather than moving into an assisted living facility. Here are some tips for helping your loved one balance their independence and safety through the use of in-home care solutions and home safety upgrades.

Schedule a Home Safety Evaluation

A home safety evaluation will allow you to assess the accessibility and safety of your loved one’s home. During an evaluation, an experienced professional will investigate the interior and exterior of the home. They will look for fall risks, health and safety issues, and outdated or damaged fixtures, features, and appliances.

After the evaluation, they will provide you with a detailed report of their findings and make recommendations for repairs and upgrades. Following their recommendations will make your loved one’s home safer and allow them to comfortably age in place.

Make Safety Modifications and Upgrades to the Home

Implement the safety evaluator’s recommended upgrades and safety modifications right away to reduce your loved one’s risk of a fall, accident, or injury. The evaluator may be able to refer you to a reputable local contractor who can make the necessary adjustments. The most important home safety modifications to consider are:

Installing grab bars and safety bars in bathrooms, next to the toilet, in the shower or bathtub, next to the bed, and on any stairs or steps
Upgrading or improving lighting so that there aren’t any dark areas that could pose a safety hazard
Improving or repairing flooring so that it is not uneven or slippery
Removing trip hazards like area rugs, cords, and other obstacles
Using non-slip mats in dangerous areas, like next to the shower or tub, in the kitchen, and in the laundry room
Putting frequently used items in easy to reach places so your loved one won’t have to use a stool or stepladder to access them
Carefully storing and labeling prescription and non-prescription medication
Securing all doors and windows
Upgrading or replacing appliances that are outdated, inefficient, faulty, or hard to use

Integrate Smart Technology and Assistive Devices

Smart technology and assistive devices can improve the accessibility of your loved one’s home, enhance their comfort and safety, and give them more control over their environment. They can also allow you to monitor their home for security and safety concerns. The most helpful technologies to consider are:

Voice-activated devices to control lights, thermostat, security and alarm systems, and window shades
AI assistive devices that can read news headlines and the weather forecast, send text messages, outline daily schedules, provide reminders, and answer questions
Smart devices that can create routines for the heating and cooling system, lights, alarms, security systems, and appliances
Medical alert devices with fall sensors
Smart home devices that allow you to monitor certain parts of the home remotely
Wearable health trackers that relay medical information to you or your loved one’s physician

Collaborate With Their Physician to Create a Personalized Care Plan

It’s important to collaborate with your loved one’s physician to fully understand their changing needs and risks. You and your loved one’s physician can create a personalized care plan that includes medication management, meal planning and nutrition, exercise, and more.

Coordinate Care With Family and Friends

You don’t need to handle everything on your own. Involve your family and friends in your loved one’s care plan and collaborate with them to schedule visits, meal preparation, grocery shopping, transportation to medical appointments, and more.

Involve Your Loved One in Decisions and Activities

Involve your loved one in the decision-making. It’s important to let them know they still have control over their daily routine and environment. Have your loved one assist with creating weekly menus, planning household chores and errands, planning outings, and choosing activities that they will enjoy.

Regularly Monitor Their Health and Safety

You should regularly reassess your loved one’s health to stay aware of any changes in their physical health, abilities, and mental health. Schedule regular checkups with their physician, dentist, eye care provider, and any specialists they see. Monitor their mental acuity and mobility to check for early warning signs of decline. Make sure they are adhering to their medication schedule and health routine. Speak with their physician if you have any concerns or notice any change to their mental state, emotional state, or physical abilities.

Hire an In-Home Caregiver

Consider hiring a professional in-home caregiver who specializes in senior care. A caregiver can provide companionship, assistance with the tasks of daily living, transportation, meal preparation, medication reminders, grocery shopping, and light housework. You can hire a caregiver who comes on specific days for specific time periods, or use a caregiving agency for respite care. Respite care offers family caregivers an occasional break to look after their own physical and mental health, take care of errands and needs, participate in social activities, travel, and more.

Respect Your Loved One’s Need for Independence and Privacy

While making all of these changes to your loved one’s home and routine can improve their safety and offer an alternative to moving into an assisted living home, it’s also important that you consider your loved one’s wishes and needs. Make sure your loved one knows that you respect their need for independence and privacy and that is why you’re making these adjustments. Always communicate respectfully and be patient. Give your loved one time and space to voice their needs and concerns, and try to implement changes gradually.

Schedule a Home Safety Evaluation in Tucson, AZ

At Placita In Home Care, we offer complimentary home safety evaluations in Southern Arizona, and can assess your loved one’s home to make sure it is safe for their changing needs and abilities. We can refer you to a local handyman service that can make safety modifications and repairs to improve the accessibility and safety of the home.

We also offer in-home care services in Southern Arizona. Our compassionate, highly qualified caregivers specialize in elder care services as well as specialized services like Alzheimer’s care, memory care, joint replacement care, and hospice care. Our goal is to balance your loved one’s wish to age in place in the comfort of their own home with their health, safety, and security.

We will work closely with you to create a care plan that improves their physical and mental health, ensures they take their medication on schedule, and monitors for signs of health issues. To schedule a consultation for in-home care in the Tucson or Phoenix metro area, call us today or fill out our contact form online.