The fact of the matter is that as we grow older, our ability to function as we once could diminishes significantly. Therefore, some of the things we used to perform with ease – and even not quite consciously – such as going up and down the stairs are now becoming increasingly more challenging.
Instead of pushing ourselves to try and do all of those things we once used to, we should strive towards adjusting our surroundings towards our current needs. This also includes adjusting our homes and living environments to cater to some of the things we now do differently than we used to. That being said, here are some key features every modern senior-friendly bedroom should contain.
The bedroom should be located on the ground floor
Instead of struggling to get up the stairs every time you feel like lying down to rest a bit and struggling to come down the stairs once you’re freshly woken up, you should make things easier on yourself and relocate your bedroom to the ground floor. This way, you’ll be able to access it easily whenever you feel like taking a nap and you won’t have to worry about all those stairs and whether you will be able to handle them or not. This is especially advisable for people who are wheelchair-bound. If, however, it’s absolutely not possible to do so, make sure you install a stairlift or a chairlift.
It should be clutter-free
More often than not, the accidents that tend to happen in our homes could have been easily avoided with just some help of light decluttering. Therefore, make sure that there’s nothing in the bedroom that could potentially result in an accident. Remove all the cables from the ground to prevent trips and secure all the rugs and carpets in place to minimize the possibility of slips. Also, secure tall furniture in place to reduce the possibility of tipping it over by accident. If you have a clean space where you can move around unobstructed, the chances of something going wrong will be significantly reduced.
There should be plenty of light
Aside from being clean and kempt, it should also be well-illuminated. The more light there is in the room, the easier it will be to navigate it, no matter how good – or poor – your eyesight is. At Mark Moran Vaucluse retirement homes, for instance, all the bedrooms and living accommodations have plenty of light – both natural and artificial, because the top experts realize just how important good lighting is for the overall safety. Aside from this, you can also make sure you install gadgets that will help you easily control the temperature in your bedroom, such as a thermostat and a ceiling fan.
The bed should be firm and solid
In the bedroom, the bed is the most important piece of furniture. Therefore, pay special attention when choosing this crucial piece. The bed you choose for your bedroom should be high enough, to make getting in or getting out easier. Aside from that, it goes without saying that it should be comfortable and well-structured to enable you a good night’s rest. Also, consider wrapping the mattress in a waterproof mattress protector before you lay down the sheets, pillows and all the other things.
Add greenery
Finally, a well-designed senior-friendly bedroom simply can’t do without some beautiful greenery. Houseplants don’t just serve a decorating purpose, but they also have a very positive effect on our overall well-being. When choosing the perfect plants, you should always go with the low-maintenance ones. The reason behind this is the fact that senior adults can sometimes struggle with their memory so it’s good to provide them with something to take care of, but also with something that is not too delicate to maintain.
When putting together and decorating a senior-friendly bedroom, make sure you keep some of these key features in mind in order to be able to create a beautiful space, that won’t be just functional and practical. With current rent rates steadily rising, you can also start considering your home a future investment property.