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Aging in place has become extremely popular in recent years as more people look to stay at home throughout their final years. However, before you do this, you need to make sure that you and your home are ready for the senior home care that you wish to receive. Then, here are some top tips that will allow you to do just that.
· Make Modifications
The first step that you should take to prepare your home for the senior home care that you or a loved one is about to receive is to make modifications that will allow you or a senior relative to live safely and comfortably at home without any distress or danger.
For instance, you might consider installing a stairlift that can help them to manage the steps between floors, and you might consider widening the doorways if they are going to have a wheelchair.
You might also consider installing a ramp outside the front door and putting rails around the hallways and in the shower room of your home to give your loved one the extra support that they need.
You might even decide to buy useful accessories, such as kitchen aids, and you might decide to change the layout of your home, such as making it open plan, to ensure that it is easier to get around.
· Make Space
You should also try to ensure that you or a loved one has space for all of the medical equipment that they may need to live a full life. For instance, you might have to remove certain furniture pieces to do this, and you should especially consider removing any valuables or prized possessions that may become damaged while your loved one is receiving medical care.
By making space, you will then be making it easier for your loved one’s home care to administer all of the medicine and care that they need without items of furniture getting in the way.
· Install Storage
You should also consider installing extra storage around the home as this will allow you to put medical equipment away until it is needed and can ensure that you know where it is at all times. This can make your home care professional’s job easier and will make sure that there are no issues with lost medical equipment.
· Communication with Home Care
If you have never had a home care professional in your or your loved one’s home before, you should help them to help you or your loved one by listing all of your medical conditions and medicines and placing this sheet of paper in a clear and safe place for the home care professional to read.
You should try to leave the important contact details that they may need, and always try to be in the room with the home care professionals for the first time that they are meeting your loved one.
· Use Technology
You might also consider investing in medical technology that you can then install in your loved one’s home and which can help your loved one to age in place and ensure that the home care service can do its job. This includes tech such as personal and home alarms, which can alert the home care service to any issues or medical emergencies.