Short-Term Senior Care During Home Safety Modifications

Assisted living in a senior housing community is typically considered to be a permanent move for an elderly loved one. But it doesn’t have to be. Short-term senior care is now offered by nearly all senior communities, including those that are part of the Seniorly family. 

Short-term stays in senior living communities are sometimes referred to as respite care. They are a great option for elderly loved ones recovering from a hospital stay. Short-term stays can also be helpful when family members who are caregivers go away on vacation. It’s also a nice option for someone who wants to try out senior housing before deciding on a community and making the transition.

Short-term assisted living can also play a crucial part in helping elderly loved ones who are determined to age in place, by providing an easy, safe and comfortable dwelling while the family home undergoes important safety modifications. 

6 reasons why home safety modification is important

Home safety improvements are a necessary precaution for elderly loved ones who want to remain in their homes as they age. A major goal in home safety modification is preventing falls. Mobility, muscle strength, vision, and balance can all decline with age. This contributes to an increased risk of falling. Making adjustments, such as adding grab bars and eliminating tripping hazards, can help counter that risk.

The most important home safety improvements for aging in place

Independent living for an elderly loved one who is determined to remain in their home requires making changes to the home to ensure their safety:

• The ideal home for older adults is one level. If the home has multiple levels, installing a chair-lift on staircases may be an expensive but necessary safety improvement.
   
• Install motion sensor lights that automatically turn on when a person enters the room.
   
• Change or remove threshold pieces between rooms and secure area rugs to avoid tripping.
   
• Adjust or remove rapidly closing doors.
   
• Make sure that furniture, toilet seats and counters are a different color than the floor. Contrasting colors can help with diminished vision.
   
• Add extra outdoor lighting for nighttime visibility on walkways and driveways.
   
• Install entry ramps and handrails where there are several steps.
   
• Install lever handles on all doors.
   
• Widen doorways by having molding removed and changing regular door hinges to offset hinges.
   
• Remove locks on bathroom doors and install grab bars beside the toilet and in the tub or shower.
   

Why choose assisted living while safety improvements are added

Most assisted living communities offer short-term stays lasting from two weeks to a month long. If you are working with a contractor to install safety features in a home, you can specify that the work needs to be completed within 30 days.

Short-term senior care can be a treat for your elderly loved one while their home safety projects are being completed. They can enjoy a private, furnished apartment with housekeeping and laundry services. Many senior living communities have common areas that resemble upscale hotels with activities and entertainment, libraries, restaurant-style dining choices, fitness centers, and even personal care salons.

Your loved one will be spared the confusion and uproar of the remodeling process and return home from their respite stay feeling like they have just been away on vacation.