How to Prepare for an Elderly Parent Moving In: 7 Preparation Tips

Moving an elderly parent into your home is a big step for everyone involved—your parents and your household. This process benefits from careful planning and preparation. Ensuring that your home is safe and comfortable for your parent is crucial for their well-being and your peace of mind. Stairlifts, grab bars, and call buttons are good to consider, but so is planning for emotional support. Here are seven essential tips to help you prepare your home for your elderly parent’s arrival.

The first step in preparing your home is conducting a thorough assessment. Look for potential hazards that could pose a risk to your parent. This includes:

• Identifying tripping hazards such as clutter, hard-to-see steps, cords, or furniture with sharp corners.
• Ensuring all areas are well-lit, especially stairways and hallways.
• Installing grab bars in high-risk rooms like bathrooms and by stairs or steps reduces the chance of a fall.
• Checking that all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are functional.

Ensure that your elderly parent has a comfortable and accessible living space, especially in the bathroom. Consider the following:

• Make sure your parent can safely move around the bathroom with grab bars installed in the shower/tub and by the toilet. 
• Use a shower chair and a handheld showerhead.
• If you don’t already have these, put adhesive, non-slip pads in your shower. 
• Check with your parent. Can they comfortably use your toilet? If not, consider a raised toilet seat or other accommodations.

If your home has levels and stairs are unavoidable, installing a stairlift can be a game-changer. Stairlifts provide a safe and reliable way for your elderly parent to navigate stairs, enhancing their independence and reducing the risk of falls. Stannah Stairlifts offers a range of models suitable for various stair configurations, ensuring a perfect fit for your home.

Consider your elderly parent’s medical needs and ensure that your home can accommodate them. This includes:

• Setting up a designated space for medications and medical supplies.
• Ensuring easy access to a phone or emergency alert system.
• If your parent needs medical equipment like mobility or breathing aids, make sure to plan for storage and arrange for backups. 

Effective communication is essential when an elderly parent moves in. Some tips include:

• Installing a landline or ensuring they have a simple, easy-to-use mobile phone.
• Setting up an intercom system for easy communication within the house.
• Educating them on how to use any new devices or systems you’ve installed for their safety. 

The transition of an elderly parent to moving in with their child can be challenging for both parties. An adjustment period is common as both parent and child adjust to the new situation and loss of independence. Making your parent feel welcome while also planning out emotional support for you and your family can make this adjustment easier. 

• Encourage your parent to bring personal items that make them feel at home.
• Set up regular routines that include social activities with friends or hobbies they enjoy.
• Ask family, friends, or professionals for regular support during this period. 
• Ensure that you have time to rest and recharge. 

One of the most significant adjustments when moving an elderly parent into your home is maintaining mobility and independence. Stannah Stairlifts can play a crucial role in achieving this. Here’s how:

• Safety and Independence
  Stannah Stairlifts are designed with safety as the top priority and are equipped with top-of-the-line safety features like seat belts and obstruction sensors. Easy-to-use controls ensure your parent can navigate stairs without assistance, which is vital for their confidence and overall well-being. 
  
  
• Comfort and Convenience
  Stannah Stairlifts offers comfortable seating with customizable options to suit your parent's needs. The fluid ride and gentle start-stop mechanism make using the stairlift a pleasant experience. Additionally, the stairlift can be folded away when not in use, keeping your stairs available for others in the household.
  
  
• Custom Solutions for Every Home
  Stannah has a stairlift solution that can be tailored to fit your home. Professional installation ensures a perfect fit and seamless operation, providing peace of mind that your parent can safely and comfortably move between floors. 
  
  
• Cost-Effective Mobility Solution
  Compared to the cost and inconvenience of moving to a single-story home or installing a home elevator, a stairlift is a cost-effective solution. It allows you to maintain the integrity of your home while providing the necessary mobility support for your elderly parent.
  
  
• Comprehensive Support and Service
  Stannah offers exceptional customer service, from the initial consultation to ongoing maintenance to a personalized experience when choosing the best stairlift for your home. After installation, they provide thorough training on how to use the stairlift safely and efficiently.

Moving an elderly parent into your home is a significant decision that requires thoughtful preparation. By carefully looking at the safety features of your home, creating a comfortable living space, adapting the bathroom, installing a stairlift, planning for medical needs, encouraging communication, and ensuring emotional support for you and your parent, you can help ensure a smooth transition and an easy adjustment period for everyone. Stannah Stairlifts offers an invaluable addition to your home preparations. With careful planning and the right support, you can create a safe, comfortable, and welcoming environment for your whole family. Reach out to Stannah today; we’d happily answer any questions.