Making your home visits more manageable for everyone starts with a clear and safe entryway. An accessible entrance can ensure safety for those who may have difficulty maneuvering certain obstacles. Here are some ways you can help make visits safer and easier for everyone involved.
1. Clearing the Walkway, Driveway, and Entrance
Having a neat and unobstructed entrance and walkway is essential to providing elderly or otherwise mobility-challenged guests with a safe and pleasant environment. Any neglected entrance may present challenges that can prove hazardous for visitors. Wintery conditions such as snow, ice, and debris can make a walkway especially treacherous. Senior loved ones who need the support of canes or walkers may have a hard time passing by these impediments. Even leaves—especially wet—can be just as dangerous as snow or ice. Regardless of the season, it is necessary to keep the paths leading up to the entrance clean and clear at all times.
2. Salting Icy Areas
Indianapolis weather can fluctuate greatly, often alternating between temperatures below freezing and slightly above. You can have snow melt and run onto sidewalks, doorways, and pathways. As temperatures drop, this liquid quickly freezes and can form into slippery patches of ice which are both hazardous and hard to spot.
To prevent ice from accumulating near the entrance of your home after a snowfall, sweep the snow away from the walkway and then liberally sprinkle salt anywhere that there will be foot traffic. Salt can keep walkways and entrances clear of ice and snow. Applying salt on the snow also helps create traction in case there are any wet puddles. However, it would help if you were mindful of how much salt you use, as excessive amounts can also be hazardous. Use just the right amount of salt to keep icy and slippery surfaces at bay.
3. Installing a Ramp
If your elderly relatives or guests who have difficulty navigating steps visit often, installing a ramp can guarantee they will navigate the entrance to your home safely and efficiently.
When considering a ramp, think of safety first. Add railings along the sides to help with stability. Make sure the surface of the ramp is slip-resistant and firmly supported by a sturdy foundation. A poorly-installed ramp poses more danger. If you have any doubts, don't hesitate to enlist the help of a professional.
While installing a ramp may sound too expensive, many local organizations offer financial assistance to those looking to make their homes more accessible. Additionally, many retailers offer deeply discounted ramps and other home modification tools for seniors. In addition, you may be able to deduct this expense from your taxes, and you may even be eligible for a tax credit.
4. Maintaining Handrails
Maintain handrails in the home to make visits easier for elderly guests or relatives with mobility issues. Use high-quality, durable equipment, and check handrails for loose or broken parts, such as loose screws or rusty screws.
5. Installing Sensor-Based Lights
Lighting can make things much safer for elderly guests and relatives visiting your home, especially when it is dusk or dawn and it can be challenging to see. Installing sensor-based lights is an ideal solution for visitors with canes or walkers. With the help of these lights, your senior visitors can keep their hands free to grasp a handrail or use a cane.
Ensure Your Loved One's Safety With In-Home Care
You can create a more comfortable and accessible place for your elderly loved ones to visit you safely. However, your loved one might need assistance at home, which you cannot always provide. The professional caregivers at Senior Helpers of Greenfield can assist with tasks such as light housekeeping and meal preparation. They can also help with grooming and medication reminders for those who need in-home care in Greenfield, Indianapolis, or Anderson.
Keeping your loved one safe and healthy when you can't be there is our priority. Contact us today to learn how the Senior Helpers® provides in-home care solutions so seniors can receive the care they need and the companionship they crave.