Your bedroom is an important room of the house. It’s where you rest, rejuvenate, and take a break from the world. This is the same for your aging loved one and it is important to make sure they have a personal oasis that is not only comfortable, but also safe and accessible as they age in place. This ensures they can get the rest they need to protect their body, feel calm and relaxed to support their mind, and manage any care needs easily and safely. Making meaningful modifications to your parent’s bedroom is a fantastic way for you as their family caregiver to help your parent remain in their own home while giving both of you confidence that they are safe and secure.
Some meaningful modifications you should consider making to your senior’s bedroom include:
- If your parent uses a mobility device such as a wheelchair or walker, consider widening the doorway or removing the door and hinges completely to allow them to easily pass through. This can make it more comfortable to use their device in all areas of the home and help prevent injuries to their hands, such as tears in the skin that can make them vulnerable to infection
- Consider your parent’s mobility needs and how they might impact your parent getting in and out of bed. Some seniors benefit from having the bed slightly elevated, while others prefer it lowered. Adapt the height of the bed to what is comfortable and safe for your senior
- Add railings to the bed if your parent falls out of bed frequently and to provide leverage to help your parent get to their feet from the bed
- Ensure there is lighting that can be controlled both from the bed and the door. This ensures your parent does not have to try to walk through a dark room to get to the light
- Position shelves in their closet lower so your parent does not have to climb or stretch to reach things such as shoes or accessories
- Remove the television to promote more restful sleep
Getting enough sleep is important for everyone. As a family caregiver, however, you may lose sleep if your aging parent has needs that must be met during the night, or you are worried about their safety after it’s time to go to bed. Bringing senior care into their daily routine can be an exceptional way to help your parent manage their needs and get better sleep, and ensure you can get the sleep you need as well. A senior home care services provider can step in to help your parent wind down for the evening, get ready for bed, and settle down, preparing them for a good night of rest. They can then be in the home, awake and alert, throughout the night so if your parent does have any needs or an urgent situation, the care provider is there to manage it. This helps you protect your health and well-being by getting enough rest, and supports your senior’s overall quality of life.
If you or an aging loved one are considering senior care in Big Timber, MT, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY HomeCare Billings today at 406-839-2390.
