Looking after a loved one at home can be incredibly challenging. But it can also be extremely rewarding to know you are improving their quality of life.
Regardless of whether you’re caring for an ageing parent, a partner recovering from illness, or someone living with dementia, anxiety, or mobility issues. The environment around them can make a real difference to how they live every single day.
Thankfully, there are some small changes you can make at home to ensure daily life is easier for the person you love. When done well, they can even reduce stress levels for everyone and create a space that feels welcoming to every member of the household.
Let’s take a look at some practical things you can do to make your home more livable for someone you are caring for.
What Are the First Changes You Should Make Around the Home?
Before you invest the time and money in major renovations, it’s a good idea to focus on the basics of safety.
A good place to start is by looking for common hazards that could increase the risk of people tripping or falling. This includes things like loose rugs, electrical cords stretched across walkways, and cluttered hallways. All of which could be hazardous.
It is also advisable to improve your lighting because, while you might take dark corners, staircases, and entrances for granted, they can be difficult for your loved ones to navigate, especially older adults. Just by installing brighter lighting, you can make it much easier for them to move around the home.
Another thing to do straight off the bat is to consider where frequently used items are stored. That’s because if someone regularly needs to reach for medication, clothing, or kitchen supplies, then placing these items at an accessible height can make their routine, daily tasks feel much less frustrating.
How Can You Make Your Living Spaces Safer?
You’ll naturally want your home to be as safe as possible for your loved one. But not at the expense of its comfort. Indeed, many families worry that any adaptations they make to their home will give it a more institutional or impersonal feel. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to improve its safety while maintaining a warm and inviting atmosphere.
One good example is to invest in supportive seating. In other words, chairs that are easy to get in and out of and that can reduce the strain on your loved one’s joints and muscles. Products such as Knightsbridge mental health rocking chairs can help to create a more relaxing environment, which would be especially beneficial to those experiencing anxiety, or who have sensory sensitivities, or certain mental health conditions.
Whatever furniture you buy, where you place it is also important. That’s because creating open pathways between rooms allows people to move around more freely.
What Can You Do to Create a Calm and Relaxing Environment?
Many people underestimate or simply aren’t aware of the effect their surroundings can have on emotional wellbeing. For instance, research shows that a cluttered room can negatively impact your mental health. By contrast, a tidy and organised space often feels more peaceful and relaxing. Hence, it’s worth taking the time to do a regular clean and declutter.
Other studies have shown that natural light can also have a positive influence on your mood. Even something as simple as opening your curtains during the day and positioning seating near windows can make living spaces feel much brighter and more inviting.
Noise is another factor worth considering, especially for someone who becomes easily overwhelmed. Therefore, taking steps to reduce background distractions, such as loud televisions or constant household noise, may help create a calmer atmosphere for your loved one in your home.
How Else Can You Support Your Loved One’s Mental Wellbeing at Home?
Your loved one’s mental wellbeing is just as important as their physical health. Therefore, it’s worth making the effort to create a dedicated quiet area where they can relax, read, listen to music, or simply enjoy a few moments of peace.
If they are suffering from dementia, they may benefit from having familiar photographs, treasured keepsakes, and personal items on display that might help trigger positive memories. Similarly, if they are suffering from anxiety, autism, or sensory sensitivities, taking steps to reduce unnecessary stimulation can create a more predictable environment for them.
Something else that is important to your loved one’s mental health, especially if they are elderly relatives, is to help them maintain their social connections. This can include everything from arranging comfortable seating areas that encourage conversations with family members and visitors to purchasing electronic devices, such as iPads or phones, that help people stay engaged and connected with friends and other family members.
What Changes Can You Make To Their Bedroom?
It is important that the person you are caring for has their own space to spend some quiet time alone. In many households, this is their bedroom, which is why it is vital that it is as comfortable as possible for them.
You’ll want to create a space that is conducive to sleeping and relaxing well. To do this, make sure it has comfortable bedding, a supportive pillow, and good ventilation. You might also install motion-sensor night lights that can make going to the bathroom much safer for them overnight.
How Can You Make the Bathroom Safer and More Accessible?
Bathrooms are one of the most common places for household accidents. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, around 8500 of them happen in Australia every year.
Installing grab bars near toilets and showers is a good way to help prevent your loved one from becoming part of that statistic. It is also worth laying down non-slip mats and slip-resistant flooring to further reduce the risk of falls.
If they have limited mobility, you might also benefit from placing a chair in the shower and installing handheld showerheads to make bathing easier.
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