Simple chores that were once easy can become harder as we get older. It takes careful planning and deliberate changes to make a home senior-friendly in Scotland, where many properties are older and have specific features that they must have.
Families can establish a living environment that creates independence and improves the quality of life for their senior loved ones by putting into practice workable solutions and making use of readily available resources. Here are some of the things you can install in your homes.
Using a Stairlift for Easy Access
Stairs can be a significant obstacle for elderly individuals, especially those with mobility issues or limited strength. Installing a stairlift is a practical solution that can improve accessibility and make moving between different levels of the home easier and safer.
Stairlifts in Scotland come in various designs to suit different staircase layouts, whether it’s a straight staircase or one with curves or landings.
There are often homes that feature multi-level layouts and stairlifts can provide elderly residents with essential vertical mobility, allowing them to guide their homes with confidence and independence.
Installing Handrails for Support
Handrails can give senior citizens extra stability and support throughout their houses, particularly in places where falls and slips are more likely to happen. Not only that, but the elderly can improve their balance and avoid accidents by installing handrails in restrooms, corridors, and stairwells.
Handrails can be a lifesaver for elderly people when trekking around their older houses, especially if they have small hallways or uneven flooring.
Adjusting Furniture Layouts
Rearranging the layout of furniture can have a significant impact on the accessibility and convenience of a home, especially for elderly residents. Whereas, if you make sure that pathways are clear and unobstructed, this makes it easier for individuals with mobility issues to move around freely.
In Scotland, where space can be limited in some homes, optimising furniture arrangements to create wider pathways and clear walking areas can reduce the risk of accidents.
Installing Lever Door Handles
Replacing traditional doorknobs with lever door handles can make it easier for elderly residents to open and close doors throughout the home. Lever handles require less strength to operate compared to traditional doorknobs, making them easier for those with arthritis or limited hand mobility.
Often, many homes feature older door hardware and installing lever handles can provide elderly residents with added convenience and independence in their daily lives.
Using Smart Home Technology
Incorporating smart home technology can further improve the convenience of a home for elderly residents, regardless of their age and knowledge.
Smart devices such as voice-activated assistants, motion-sensor lights, and remote-controlled thermostats can make it easier for elderly individuals to control various aspects of their home environment without needing to physically interact with switches or buttons.
Weather conditions are always unpredictable in the UK and smart thermostats can help elderly residents maintain a comfortable indoor temperature without having to manually adjust heating systems.
Making Your Home Run on Autopilot
Making a home convenient for the elderly in Scotland takes a lot of thought and allows people to be creative in their effort to give their loved ones the easiest time.
By utilising all the solutions we listed today, or even just a couple, if not one of them, you will be able to give your loved ones the freedom and safety they deserve when moving around their own home.
Whether it’s improving accessibility and safety, or simplifying daily tasks, these strategies can help elderly residents feel more comfortable and confident in their homes as they age.
