They say “home is where the heart is”.
There is a comfort to living in the home that you love. A sense of happiness and belonging in familiar surroundings. But living at home can become more difficult as you get older. Simple tasks and journeys that we once took for granted, become dangerous or even impossible without assistance.
If your elderly parents are living at home, or you’re caring for an aging loved one in your own home; then safety is likely your primary concern. Although our homes may not seem particularly dangerous, there are plenty of hidden risks around the house. Uneven thresholds, slippery floors, poor lighting, stairs and clutter. All of these can be difficult for seniors to navigate, and pose a threat to slips and falls for older adults.
Many opt to move into a nursing home or care home, where they can be looked after by trained professionals in a purpose built, age-friendly environment. But the idea of assisted living facilities are not embraced by everyone. They can be expensive, and moving into a care home can come with a mental barrier to overcome, caused by a feeling of loss of independence. (If you are dealing with a family member who is refusing to embrace help, then we have written a guide to some strategies that might help. Read here.)
COVID-19 has also highlighted the collective risk that moving to a nursing home could pose to vulnerable guests with contagious viruses, and with feelings of loneliness and isolation amplified through a lack of visitors and social interaction.
This reluctance to move out of our homes and into care homes poses a question.
Is it possible to avoid care homes? In some circumstances, care homes will always be the best option. For those needing ’round the clock’ care – a care home is certainly the best solution. For others, it may be possible to remain at home through; a) home adaptions, b) arranging home care visits, or c) a combination of both.
Home improvement to make your life safer and easier
As we age and our circumstances change, we should take stock of our living arrangements. Is our living situation safe and suitable now? And will they continue to be in the coming years?
By understanding your unique set of needs, you can realise what (if anything) needs to be done. Specialist living equipment and services can improve the accessibility and safety of your home immeasurably. They help you to live a day-to-day life comfortably and safely as you age. Future proofing your living situation gives the psychological comfort of living at home in familiar surroundings where you feel safe, secure and independent.
Our top 5 independent living products video – Watch now!
Check out our top 5 home adaptations video. 5 simple products that will help make your home an age friendly space.
1. Riser recliner armchairs
Riser recliner armchairs help to prevent injuries and reduce the physical effort required when getting into a seated position, or trying to stand up. Simply hit the button on the remote control, and the chair will work its magic in one smooth, effortless motion. The movement from a high upright position, to a seated position helps with transferring in and out the chair. A host of other features also provide comfort; including a raised leg rest, reclining backrest, and lumber support.
Read our full guide to riser recliner armchairs here.
2. Walk in showers
Walk in showers combine style with practicality. Seen as the cutting edge of modern bathroom design, walk in showers promote an open-plan style of bathroom, with the shower enclosure blending seamlessly into the rest of the room. A walk-in shower is a fresh, contemporary and luxurious addition to the home.
As well as looking attractive, wet room showers are designed with ease, comfort and safety in mind. They are great if you need to access your shower area in a wheelchair, or would struggle to step over the side of a bath into a shower. Offering step-free entry and being easy to clean, walk in showers can greatly benefit elderly homeowners, and people with impaired mobility.
Read our full guide to walk-in showers here.
3. Stairlifts
For those of us limited mobility, stairs are a real challenge. A stairlift is a motorised chair that can safely transfer you up and down your staircase. They are reliable, secure, and can enable people to continue living in their homes.
Stairlifts are designed to suit your individual home and lifestyle. Without a stairlift, people with limited mobility may need to convert a downstairs room into a bedroom or even move to a single story house. Stairlifts offer a superior solution from both the perspective of cost and convenience.
Read our full guide to stairlifts here.
4. Electric profiling beds
Electric profiling beds help maximise user independence, and boost comfort. Electric beds can provide upwards and downwards vertical movement, for assistance getting in and out of bed. They also help the user get a good nights sleep, with independent moving sections that adjust at the user’s discretion to create a variety of sleeping and resting positions. This spares you from the never ending battle of arranging pillows at night time, to find a body position where you can lie comfortably!
Read our full guide to electric profiling beds here.
5. Walk in bath tubs
A walk in bathtub is an easy-entry bath with a door. They allow easier transfer into the bath, which provides an all round safer bathing experience for independent users, and patients with carers. As well as the practical benefits, walk-in baths come in a range of stylish designs and extra features, to complement the design of your bathroom. With easy access walk in baths, bathing can become accessible and enjoyable again.
Read our full guide to walk-in bath tubs here.
Household gadgets and specialist living equipment
As well as the products above, Sync Living supply a large amount of living aids that could make your life at home safer and easier. From installing grab rails, easy reach grabbers to help you pick items up off the floor, and adjustable height shower seats; to designing a senior friendly bathroom, or a walker or wheelchair to help you move around. Sync Living are a leading supplier of specialist living and bathroom equipment. If you are experiencing difficulties at home and don’t quite know what the fix is, then reach out! We’ll be more than happy to help.
Carer visits to your home
Having a carer come to visit you in your home can make a huge difference to your life, especially if you have difficulty walking or getting around. It can help you stay living independently in your own home. This type of care is known as homecare or domiciliary care.
Homecare is very flexible. You might need a carer for only an hour a week or for several hours a day. You might need a live-in carer. Depending on your circumstances, homecare can either be organised via your local HSCNI trust or via a private provider.
Occupational Therapists can also help identify strengths and difficulties you may have in everyday life, such as dressing or getting to the shops, and will help you work out practical solutions.
You can learn more about in-home care on the NI Direct website here.
Affordability of home adaptions
Not everyone can afford to finance and pay privately for equipment and living solutions. There are a number of financial assistance options available that can help people access the solutions they need. Read our finance guide for purchasing independent living products here.
You can also call or message Sync Living directly for advice.
Future proof your home with Sync Living
If you are looking to improve the accessibility and safety of your home, then speak to Sync Living today. Sync Living supply the people of Northern Ireland and Ireland with specialist living and bathroom equipment to adapt your own home. So you can remain living in the home you love.