If you have an elderly loved one that’s moving into a new apartment, be it a new place for them to live on their own or a new assisted living facility, they likely aren’t going to be able to handle a lot of the move themselves. Luckily, you can be there for them during this time to help get them set up and comfortable in their new space.
To help you learn how this can best be done, here are three tips for setting up an apartment for your elderly loved one.
Remove Any Safety Hazards
For loved ones that are moving into a senior living facility, there likely won’t be any hazards that you’ll have to worry about taking care of, as those will already all be ironed out for your loved one. But if they’re moving into their own home where they’ll be caring for themselves, you should make it your top priority to ensure that their new space is going to be safe for them by removing any safety hazards.
Safety hazards for elderly people can include things like dangerous flooring options that could cause them to trip and fall, low lighting that might make it hard for them to see around the room, and sharp edges on countertops that could harm them if they’re not being cognizant of their surroundings. So if you notice any of these things, or other hazards that could put your loved one in danger, make sure you address them before you move in.
Decorate The Space With What They Love
While safety is important, you also want to make sure that your loved one is going to feel comfortable in their new space.
To help them accomplish this, you can assist them in decorating their new space in styles that they love. If they have certain items from their previous home that they want to use in this space, be sure to safely move it from one home to another so that it can be incorporated in this space. Additionally, putting up their favorite photos or mementos can also help set the right mood in their new home.
Prioritize Storage And Organization
Keeping things clean and organized is of the utmost importance in the home of a senior citizen, as homes that are messy and disorganized can put them at greater risk of harming themselves while moving around the space or become sick due to filth.
To keep this from happening to your loved one, you can help them create storage and organization systems that will work for them in their space. Make sure that everything has a place to be put away in their new space and that your loved one can easily reach these places and remember where everything is supposed to go.
If you want to help set your elderly loved one up for success in their new apartment, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you in doing this.
