Qualities of an Apartment That is Appropriate for Senior Citizens

As people get older, they will need more assistance to do things from individuals around them. This assistance could be physical, like asking help to move from one place to another, or emotional, like talking to someone about stuff that interests them. This is the reason why most senior citizens still reside with their families and loved ones.

While this is true, there are still a lot of seniors who live alone in apartments. In Canada alone, about 5 million senior citizens (65 years old and above) are residing by themselves according to the 2011 census. They also choose to get medical procedures, therapies, and treatments at home, instead of in a health institution or a nursing home.

Even though some elderly are still physically strong, their bodies are more susceptible to injury when compared to the younger generation. As a family member, it is their duty to find the perfect apartment for their senior relatives to avoid these incidents if they decide to move out and live alone. You can consult realtors who have previous elderly clients or explore a housing website that offers a senior citizen-friendly neighborhood.

To help you browse and choose, here are the qualities of an apartment that is appropriate for senior citizens:

Well-Lit Spaces

To keep a senior citizen unharmed, an apartment should have well-lit rooms that will allow the elderly to move around safely. Dimmed lights and dark areas will be a problem for seniors, as most of them already have poor eyesight. Better lighting has been proven to lessen the risk of falling among that age group.

The apartment should have installed ceiling light bulbs and lamps that can adequately illuminate the whole apartment. Light switches must also be positioned on mid and low levels and are easy for them to reach. There are switch enlargers that are sold in the market to help them turn off and on lamps quickly.

Lack of Tripping Hazards

Whether they are living alone or residing with relatives, senior citizens are more prone to accidents like falling and slipping when at home. To prevent this from happening and to make a safer home, an apartment should have no throw rugs and mats that can make spaces slippery.

The use of tapes and strips to hide and manage electrical cords and phone cords that are loose is recommended. This will lessen the chances of elderly tripping and acquiring injuries like head trauma or painful joints. It is also best to remove unnecessary furniture to make more space in the apartment, which is needed most especially by seniors who use wheelchairs.

Increased Accessibility

Can you imagine a senior citizen living in a two-floor apartment? It’s going to be tedious and time-consuming just to get to places inside the house. An elderly’s home should be a studio or a bungalow, if possible, to make moving easier for them. Handrails must also be installed to assist and guide them on sloped hallways that are slippery.

Upon the construction of the apartment, ramps should also be built for better accessibility for senior citizens who are in wheelchairs and walking canes. This is because stairs are dangerous and might cause accidents that can worsen existing conditions such as arthritis and other body pain.

Cabinets should not be out of reach and must be built in a way that seniors can get supplies that they need effortlessly. Moreover, the apartment’s door frames must be wide enough to let them pass through comfortably.

Slip-Proof Bathrooms

Going to the toilet and bath is one of the stressful things a senior citizen does. To help them be more comfortable inside their apartment, some changes can be made inside the bathroom, like putting raised seat extensions with handles on the toilet.

Bathrooms are also unsafe as it is often wet and slippery. The installation of anti-kid floors can help prevent the occurrence of accidents among the elderly. Handrails along the walls can also act as support to aid them.

Conclusion

Making a senior citizen’s home safe and secure is a priority because being a senior citizen is already challenging as their bodies are weaker and more fragile. Apartments with installed medical alert systems are also recommended, which can save seniors from life-threatening situations.

Having someone clean their apartment is a must as well. Food checks should be done to ensure that the elderly are not eating spoiled food. Spotless home with no clutter that can lead to accidents can enable seniors to move around safely. A senior’s apartment should be a haven wherein they can do some hobbies they love and still get some rest that they need.