This is a contributor’s blogpost …

 

Getting old is a way of life. Whether you are young and fit or not, the ageing process will hit you, and it will hit hard. At the moment, you might be young enough not to have to worry. But, that doesn’t mean you aren’t affected. Everyone has parents, and mums and dads often need help when they reach retirement. Some happily trudge on in their house, some go to a residential care home, and others move in with their children. If your parents are coming to stay for the foreseeable future, it’s time to pensioner-proof the area to make them comfortable and to avoid accidents.

Here are the four steps that will make it happen.

 

 

Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia

 

Avoid Trips And Falls

The biggest cause of accidents with old people is a trip or a fall. For young people, a fall is something they can pass off in a matter of seconds. For the older generation, it can have lasting effects. Obviously, no one wants accidents to happen, especially in this lawsuit happy culture! So, it’s vital that you think about the areas where an accident is likely and make it disaster-proof. The stairs are the most notorious candidate, which is where Terry Lifts comes in handy. Then, there are the elevated areas which are easily solvable with a ramp. Also, don’t forget about replacing loose rugs and slippy laminate flooring with carpet.

 

See The Light

As people get older, their eyesight worsens, and your parents are no different. Macular degeneration doesn’t discriminate, which is why you need to brighten up the house. That doesn’t mean that you need to add a splash of colour to the walls because paint isn’t the answer. The answer is better lighting regarding lights, lamps, and light bulbs. Your current light features might not be strong enough for your parents’ eyes, and that can lead to an accident. By replacing them with more powerful bulbs, they will be able to see where they are going and avoid any potential mishaps.

 

Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia

 

Warm Up

Like bad eyesight, pensioners tend to share the unfortunate pleasure of having bad circulation. Because the veins and arteries are older, they are less effective at warming up the body. Bad circulation isn’t a problem as long as the house is a pleasant temperature. If the thermostat is pumping out the heat, your parents will never go cold. With that in mind, consider bumping up the temperature for the sake of your folks. Yes, it might be summer and it might be warm, but they don’t feel it like you do.

 

Panic Button

There are times when you won’t be at home and they will be left alone. Even though they think they can handle it, things don’t always go as planned. If an accident does occur, it could be ages before someone notices. Thankfully, there is no need to fret with a panic button. These buttons notify an emergency response team that springs into action. They can call you or they can visit the property to make sure everything is fine.

Either way, the team is always on hand to help in your time of need.