How Home Adaptations Can Benefit An Elderly Person’s Health

The adaptation to the environment and more specifically the house represents one of the main elements that can alleviate or mitigate the degree of dependence of the elderly. This concept encompasses all of the modifications that can be undertaken in the physical environment that surrounds the elderly person and which allow them to perform daily activities (cleaning, cooking, walking, etc.) in a more secure, simple and independent way.

Although at first it may seem that the effort and the money disbursed for this purpose does not compensate, the fact is that the advantages that it involves are numerous and relevant. Thus, adaptation to the house is useful:

To prevent dangerous situations

In the process of aging are frequent physical and cognitive changes that increase the risk of the elderly people suffering accidents, with the negative consequences they bring. The decline of motor skills, reasoning speed, visual and auditory loss, increased vulnerability to fatigue and exhaustion, and decreased physical reserve capacity make it difficult for the body to respond adequately. In order to deal with these complications, the physical environment can be adapted in such a way that, as far as possible, the probability of a dangerous situation (e.g., a fall) is reduced. Stairlifts are one of the best examples of home adaptations that help the elderly and prevent dangerous situations. Here’s a guide to stairlifts prices.

To facilitate the carrying out of activities

An adequate organization of a house or room may favor the elderly person to move freely. A house organized according to the person’s physical and cognitive capacity will allow, to a greater extent, that they can continue carrying out many activities by themselves, which will enhance their autonomy.

To increase the quality of life of people

By means of certain environmental modifications, an environment can be achieved that results in the privacy and comfort of people. The comfort of the environment influences positively on the emotional state of the elderly person. A comfortable and quiet place, with pleasant temperature, with good light, etc., helps to a great extent ensure that the person feels good.

To optimize the use of the functional capabilities of the person

An adapted environment can make it easier, especially for people with cognitive impairment, to continue exercising skills that otherwise would disappear (e.g.,, cleaning, moving, etc.). So much so that, sometimes, the adaptation of the environment can delay or avoid the decision to have to resort to a residence.

To avoid problematic behavior

A suitable environment can also curb the appearance of behavioral problems. A known environment (or with known elements) allows the person not to feel disoriented, confused or worried. If you feel safe and able to control the environment, it is more difficult to behave in a hectic way, wander, etc.

Because it gives benefits to the caregiver

Such an environment also favors caregivers, since they will have to pay less attention to the elderly or will not receive the same amount of demands. Therefore, the relationship with the elderly will be more pleasant and the caregiver may have more time for himself (walking, visiting relatives or acquaintances, etc.).

For psychological benefits

All the advantages obtained by modifying the environment contributes to the person feeling good (without worries), maintaining their self-esteem, fixing or increasing the feeling of control of the person, etc. All in all it would mean a lot for the elderly!

This is a guest blog entry.