How To Prepare A Bedroom For Aging In Place

As you age, you may need to make adjustments to your home so you can continue to enjoy it safely for as many years as possible. At Handyman Connection, our team specializes in helping homeowners modify their homes for aging in place. We provide home repairs for seniors and can assist them with mobility modifications to each room in the house. One room to focus on is the bedroom. Here are the ways we can alter the bedroom to make it safer and more comfortable for seniors.

Add Stair Lifts

Most senior living spaces and apartments come with first-floor bedrooms or are designed as one-floor apartments with no stairs. Since falls are one of the biggest risks for seniors, this is a safer way to age in place. Unfortunately, most older homes in Kelowna don’t have a first-floor master bedroom, so homeowners have to make some adjustments. The pros at Handyman Connection can install a convenient automatic stair lift on the existing staircase to limit the risk of falls and give the knees and feet some relief from climbing.

Install Smart Lighting

Lighting that is easy to use and safe is another big part of staying comfortable in your bedroom as you age. Now it’s possible to have smart lighting installed throughout the home. This type of lighting can be activated by voice or via a motion detector to keep your hands free when moving from the hallway into the bedroom. Additionally, lights can also be programmed to turn on and off at a certain time of the day to automate your routine each morning and evening.

Replace Flooring

The bedroom’s flooring can also be replaced to make moving around the room much safer. Flooring repair or replacement is one of our home repair services in Kelowna that we focus on for homeowners. Seniors may want to swap out slippery floor options like hardwood or tile for something softer and more secure, such as carpet or cork. Before choosing a new floor type, homeowners should also consider a product that is stain-resistant and easy to clean and maintain.

Make Technology More Convenient

Most senior homeowners also have convenient technology features already incorporated into their homes, such as wireless internet, computers, flat-screen televisions and smartphones. Keeping everything plugged in and charged can be a challenge with a small number of outlets, lots of devices and even more cables and wires. The team at Handyman Connection can come in and add more electrical outlets and organize the charging and power cables so they are easier to find. They can also prevent the cables and cords from becoming a dangerous tripping hazard.

Anchor Furniture

Bedroom furniture may also need some modifications to make it safer and more convenient for seniors. One way to make the room safer is to anchor heavy shelving and entertainment units to the wall. This can prevent unstable pieces of furniture from toppling over and injuring you or sliding out of place when you lean against them.  

Add Rails

The last type of suggested modification to the bedroom is to add a railing or bars around the bed. Getting up out of bed can be more difficult as you age, and a handrail right next to it gives you an extra boost when needed. This way, getting in and out of bed won’t be as painful or strenuous each day.

At  Handyman Connection, you can trust our contractors and staff to help with home repairs for seniors. We can offer suggestions to make your home work better for you as you age, such as installing a walk-in tub to make you more comfortable in your bathroom. Contact our team today to learn more about home renovations for aging in place.