Did you know that there are actually low cost and free resources for senior living home improvements? As our relatives age they can easily run through their life savings, just taking care of their basic needs and one or two illnesses or surgeries and they may have to file for bankruptcy. It is therefore important to prevent injury in the home, the most common place elders are injured.
This may sound expensive, but it certainly does not have to be. Let me explain and give you a few tips in case you have to help an elder in your family upgrade their residence. First, you may be very surprised how often important elderly care equipment ends up at a second hand store. Often, thrift stores have items that can greatly assist you and at a fraction of the cost, sometimes as low as 10%.
If your older senior relative has a pet, consider building a place in the house, preferably in a corner where the pet dish can be location to prevent tripping. An injury or fall can be costly and thus, it's important to prevent this. Small corner housing around the dish can be very easy and inexpensive to build.
Next consider LED strip lighting on the stair ways and step ups in the home and doorways. Stair lighting done correctly can prevent a fall and will not cost much. Also consider installing easy to use light switches on stairs. For the bedroom fans and living room consider easy to use remote controls, and easy to turn off and on light switches, these are very inexpensive and fit over the existing switches.
Another huge issue is door locks and dead bolts, these are often hard to turn for seniors with arthritis or elderly hands, perhaps a larger lever would be better, something they do not have to strain to use. Many seniors do not lock their doors because of this problem, thus, opening themselves up for crime, or theft. Please consider these tips.