Thriving in Place Happily and Safely
The idea of aging carries with it many stigmas that are simply no longer true. Each day, older adults are proving that this perception is outdated by breaking the stereotypes that are associated with aging and are happily thriving in place. Contributing to this revolution in prolonged independence is the decision to thrive in place.
Thankfully, there have been many innovations in recent years that allow older adults to age in place, right in the comfort of their own homes. There are obvious benefits of living in the familiarity of one’s own house and continuing to enjoy a place dear to one’s heart, and the majority of products designed to aid in this are inconspicuous and easy to adjust to, allowing them to blend seamlessly into the home and the lives of those living in it.
The Family Room
The family room is often the focal point of a home, the centerpiece around which everyone gathers and is therefore an essential area in which to feel comfortable and safe. We recommend ensuring that the room is lit well, to ensure communication
Two of the main ways to accomplish this homey feeling are to make sure the room is well-lit and to install carpet that is not only luxurious but more secure than your average carpet, more on this below.
You don’t have to reduce the amount of light to reduce eyestrain caused by glares or sharp shadows. Instead, simply utilize indirect lighting that illuminates the room fully, but is positioned in a way that avoids creating those uncomfortable stresses on the eyes.
You also don’t have to compromise the look or coziness of your carpet in order to minimize the chances of slipping or falling. From ensuring that the carpet has enough texture to maintain footing to removing any potential hazards such as throw rugs, your living spaces can remain pleasing to the eye while possessing a functionality that will give you peace of mind.
LINKS HERE TO CARPET
The Bathroom
sourced from Flickr
The bathroom may not be the most glamorous room in the house, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be warm and accommodating for thriving in place. In fact, it can be one of the most relaxing spaces within a home. One of the ways to make the bathroom safer is to enhance accessibility.
Depending on circumstances, this accessibility might involve installing grab handles at key points in the room. The idea of grab bars immediately sparks thoughts of cold medical fixtures, but that is the farthest from the case—there are innumerable options for stylish grab bars that will fit flawlessly into whatever décor you have adorned your bathroom with.
LINKS TO HANDLES
To accentuate the functional yet comfortable space you’ve created for thriving in place, make sure you choose an appropriate shower and/or tub. If installing a shower is in the cards, we recommend showers with little to know lip to minimize the possibility of tripping to tubs that can be walked into rather than climbed into, there are many options that look and feel like a five-star resort rather than something designed for those looking to age at home.
LINKS TO SHOWERS
The Bedroom
sourced from Flickr
The room that is designed for optimum comfort is also a room that can present the most obstacles as one grows older: the bedroom. Whilst it is possible for your bedroom to remain your place of maximal comfort, it is important to take the necessary measures to ensure it is not only cozy but safe too.
Thankfully, there are solutions to make any difficulty more manageable for thriving in place. The Abelift Bed Recliner, for example, allows you to transform your ordinary bed into an adjustable one. This means you can set it to the perfect height for you and your comfort. Whether it be a slight incline at night to battle acid reflux or a more recliner-like height to see the television without straining your neck, the Abelift Bed Recliner is ideal. The best part? It is lightweight and can be used on essentially any bed, so you can take it with you on your many travels!
LINKS HERE
For those aging at home that are concerned for the safety of their loved ones at night, there is another minimal solution in the form of the SafeWander Bed Exit Alarm Wireless System. This system includes a sensor no bigger than a half-dollar that simply clips to one’s clothing and uses a wireless internet connection to alert a loved one or caretaker if the one wearing it falls out of bed or attempts to get up without assistance. It’s a simple and nonintrusive solution for peace of mind and thriving in place.
LINKS TO SAFE WANDER BED EXIT
Your Home as a Whole
In addition to room-specific upgrades that can be made, there are several changes that can be made to the whole house to make it the ideal place to thrive at home. Small things, such as using door levers instead of knobs, can dramatically increase the convenience and safety of aging in place. Utilizing soft surfaces—from furniture to flooring—can also add a luxurious feel while also layering protection on the off chance an accident occurs.
LINKS TO LEVERS/DOORKNOBS
Advances in technology also contribute to one’s ability to enjoy thriving in place. From having your favorite show queued at its start time, eliminating the need to flip through channels, to brewing coffee as your morning alarm rings, smart home technology not only makes everything more convenient, it allows you to focus on what’s important—appreciating your loved ones and embracing your life—rather than being weighed down with the small things.
One simple and easy-to-use tool that can help with this automation of the small, forgettable things is Reminder Rosie, an alarm clock that does more than tell time. Reminder Rosie can be programmed to remind you of what’s on your schedule. It could be a daily medication, weekly bowling league, or even something less consistent, like doctors’ appointments. Letting Reminder Rosie take care of these events allows you to live your life without worry of forgetting.
Thrive Where You Want To
Whether it be hitting the square on a Saturday night or continuing to socialize in active settings such as golf and tennis, the mature adult community is bucking traditional labels and remaining increasingly independent. While the concept of “young at heart” has always been quipped, it is now evolving to encompass not only the heart, but also the way older adults want to live by thriving in place.
Utilizing the techniques in this article can help your home grow with you, making it the perfect place for your lifestyle as an older adult. Not only can you feel secure in your own house, you can ensure that your security does not come at the cost of appearance and comfort.
