Household hacks to consider when moving elderly parents into your home

If you're like most people, at some point, you may find yourself in the position of moving elderly parents into your home. It's a big transition for everyone involved, and there are a variety of things to consider. Fortunately, with a little planning and creativity, you can make the move as smooth and stress-free as possible. Here are a few household hacks to get you started. 

Reorganise your kitchen 

Keep commonly used items near the front of cabinets or on the countertop so they are easily within reach when needed. Secondly, to avoid any accidents with sharp knives or other dangerous tools, invest in proper organisation tools like knife blocks or safety strip covers for cabinet knobs. Lastly, hooks on the wall or inside cabinets can keep frequently used pots, pans, and utensils within reach, but out of the way. 

Install grab bars in the bathroom 

A simple solution that can help seniors maintain their mobility and self-reliance in the bathroom is to install grab bars. Whether they are positioned strategically near the toilet or along a walk-in shower, these sturdy bars help to provide extra stability when getting in and out of a bathtub or sitting down on the loo.  

Install treads on stairs 

Treads are placed along the surface of each step and help to provide added traction and stability. This makes it much easier for seniors or anyone looking for a little more support when using the stairs. Additionally, treads also serve as guardrails along the edges of each step, helping to prevent falls from happening in the first place.  

Remove all lose rugs 

By removing loose rugs, you can help reduce your parents’ risk of falling and injuring themselves. In addition, removing these rugs can help to make the home more accessible for older parents who use mobility aids such as walkers or wheelchairs. If you choose to keep a rug in the home, it is important to choose one that is firmly attached to the floor and made from a non-slip material. 

Use rubber bands to make gripping items easier 

Arthritis is a common condition that can cause pain and stiffness in the joints. You can use rubber bands around items like doorknobs, cups, toothbrushes or even pens. The extra grip provided by the rubber band can make it easier for seniors with arthritis to hold onto the item.  

Moving elderly parents into your home is a big transition for everyone involved, and there are a lot of things to consider. Fortunately, with Storage King, you can easily store extra household items in a secure personal self storage unit as you make your home older-adult friendly. With facilities across the UK, affordable rates and flexible lease agreements, you will have all the extra space you need for as long or as short as you need it. Contact us on 01253 76 77 02 for more information or get an easy quote online.