Are you planning to make your home elder-proof for your elderly parents or grandparents? Elder-proofing a home is crucial if you have elderly parents or grandparents who are suffering from age-related problems like back pain, knee pain, and other muscular ailments.
Want to elder proof your home but are clueless about where to start and what to shop for at a home décor store? Read along to become a pro at choosing the right kind of home furniture for senior citizens.
Pick round dining tables
Ditch the rectangular dining table with sharp edges and go for a round table that is safe for senior citizens. Avoid going for a glass tabletop and instead opt for a wooden one to avoid any safety hazards. You must never pick backless dining chairs for senior citizens as they need good back support at that age.
Choose a high-back chair
Does your grandfather love to spend his mornings reading his newspaper curled up in a chair or does your grandmother love to spend her evenings knitting on the chair? Why not invest in a high-back chair that will make sure that they are comfortable while they are sitting for long hours? Choose a cushion padding that is firm- not too stiff or too soft. Make sure that the chairs and recliners at your place have an armrest and back support.
Pay attention to your floor lamp
Make sure that you pick a floor lamp with a sturdy base that won’t topple easily. Another thing to ensure is that your lamp doesn’t have a long extension cord that can cause your elderly parents to trip and hurt themselves. Place your floor lamp in a corner, next to a power outlet, to avoid any slipping hazard.
Pick the right bed
Make sure that your bed is at a decent height so that the senior citizens in your house don’t have to bend too much every time they sit on the bed. You must invest in an upholstered headboard that will help them rest their head and comfortably lie down on their bed without hurting their neck or back. Avoid installing a complex bed that has its parts sticking out as it can cause accidents and hurt elderly people.
Buy a footstool
If you don’t have a footstool at your home, then there is no time like now to visit a home décor store and invest in one. A footstool helps seniors to elevate their feet which in turn helps in better circulation. A handy home furniture shopping tip is to invest in a footstool that is in a bright color so that seniors with poor eyesight have no problem spotting it.
Build accessible storage
Seniors can’t access storage that is under their beds or too high. So, you must have dressings and shelves which are easy for them to access. Open shelves on the walls are a great home interior design solution for seniors as they can store their books and other useful items on them. Make sure that the storage units don’t have a sharp edge and are elderly-friendly.
Small things matter
Like they say- ‘The devil is in the details. Who says you must spend a fortune to make your home interior design elder-friendly? It’s the small things that matter. Make sure that there are always comfortable pillows on the bed, reclining chairs, and the couch. You can also go the extra mile and have cozy throws and duvets which will not only help the seniors feel relaxed but will also elevate the overall aesthetics of your place. Invest in a firm mattress that will help to align the spine and have rugs on the floor that will prevent any slips or falls. Install grab bars and keep a stool in your powder room.
Not all seniors deal with the same ailments. Hence, it is important to first understand what your elderly parents or grandparents require and then accordingly invest in quality furniture pieces that will make their everyday life easy. Make sure that the aesthetics meet functionality when you are picking elder-friendly furniture pieces. Visit AP Beautiful Home Stores to grab high-quality home furniture at the best price ever.
