As you approach your retirement, you will be thinking about all those things that you want to do. Maybe go fishing more often, or start going out to social clubs. These things are vital to keeping your mind and body active once you retire, however, you will also need to think about making your home easy to use and navigate for when you get older. Here are a few ideas to help you prepare your home for your retirement.
What Are the Challenges?
Firstly, you need to decide if you are staying where you are. If you are thinking about selling up and buying somewhere else, then you should check out sites such as Homes In Meridian before you move to see what houses are available. In your current home, take a look around your home and see where you might be able to improve the access for the future. If there becomes the need for a wheelchair, can you access the house? By adding ramps and making doorways wider, you can make your home more accessible. Plus, if you start to do these things now, you won’t have to wait for them to be done when you need them.
Adding Rails
If you are starting to struggle with walking, then adding bars that you can hold onto are extremely useful. By adding a few beforehand, you are helping to keep your home accessible and safe for you and your partner. The best places to add bars is in the bathroom by the toilet and bath, upstairs if there is none there already, and outside by the front and rear doors.
Making Your Shower Safe
If you currently have a bath, then you might want to consider changing it for a shower or a tub that you can sit in. These showers and tubs are far safer for those with movement problems, and they prevent falls and slipping. If possible, you should have a walk-in shower, as they provide the best safety as there is no ledge to walk over. By adding rails and putting down a tiled floor that has a gripped surface, you can minimize slipping and also make showering much easier.
Adjusting the Toilets
As people get older, they may start to have issues sitting and standing from the toilet, one way that you can help with this, is to have a taller toilet fitted. They raise the height so that you don’t have to sit so low down. If you also add grab bars to the walls at the side of the toilet, you will make sitting and standing much easier. Adding taller toilets isn’t a big job, and you can easily get someone to fit them for you. They are usually available at most hardware stores.
By thinking of these things in advance, you are helping to make your retirement easier and planning for the future. It will also help you if you suffer an injury, so you are not struggling while you recover.
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