Creating a safe and comfortable home for easier mobility requires rearranging the way the everyday objects and furniture are accessed and placed. Remodeling is a daunting task, but simple rearranging can prevent a home overhaul while remaining a comfortable living space. Spaces need to be wider for walking assistance, and safety devices can be installed to help with sitting and standing. Here are a few tips that can make home sweet home a place of comfort, freedom, and security.
Move Freely
House Method recommends making the home of aging individuals a place for regular physical activity. Moving for ten minutes, three times a day, can help strengthen muscle tone. Walking aids like medical walkers can provide mobility assistance, while rearranging furniture and decor can help make a clean path for movement. Moving around the house to upbeat music with a wheeled walker for stability allows for impromptu cleaning, perusing bookcases for a read, or solo dance parties. The physical movement is what is important. Furniture should be arranged to ensure a clear path for walkers and rollators, with enough width to pass through unhindered. Those with canes will need a clean walkway as well, with obstacles that can trip or catch on a cane removed. Staying healthy in the home means preventing any further injuries due to crowded furniture or cluttered hallways. Take time to remove hazards like area rugs that can bunch or trip and make sure carpeting is level without raised thresholds leading to other rooms. If possible, remove carpet for a hardwood floor to help those with rolling devices move freely.
Create a Spa Environment
A soothing spa-like bathroom does wonders for aches and pains. Adding (unlit) scented candles or essential oils to the bathroom can set the tone for a spa-like oasis. Potted plants or faux flowers can add a natural element. Adding bathroom assistant devices such as a bathtub lift and grab bars can provide safety while relaxing. For those who prefer a shower to a tub, shower seats and chairs will allow extra comfort and relaxation without worry. A shower chair can prevent falls, allowing a leisurely soak. Try soaps or bath products made with lavender or jasmine extracts. Aromatherapy claims these scents can reduce stress and may help sleep. Detachable and handheld shower heads can be installed for a thorough rinse, and a non-slip bath mat rounds out the room. Lotion up when out of the bathroom to prevent accidental slips. Moving through the space should be easy and comfortable with the right tools to help mobility.
Engage in Mental Activities
Don’t be a couch potato. It’s easy to sit and watch something on one of hundreds of television channels. The brain is a muscle that needs exercise as well. Create space in the home for new hobbies, and learn a new skill. Try an easel placed under natural sunlight for painting, a clean table for jigsaw puzzles, or a bright lamp with a high-wattage bulb for crossword puzzles. For the writers and pen-pal lovers, make sure that there is a desk that can easily accommodate the space needed for a wheelchair or a walker. In the kitchen, make sure pots, pans, and other utensils are moved to a spot that can be easily reached. Rearrange the contents of cabinets so that there is no need for a stepladder or excessive bending. Healthy eating and cooking is comfort to many, so do all that is possible to encourage access to favorite recipes and appliances.
Lauren Hailey is a writer and copy editor from Durham, NC. When she’s not typing away at her computer, Lauren enjoys walking her golden retriever, doing yoga, and gardening.
