It is crucial to have accessible and safe outdoor areas for seniors, particularly for those who like being outside. A well-planned and well-cared-for environment can greatly improve seniors’ quality of life. The good news is that seniors with home care assistance and support from their loved ones can safely enjoy their outdoor spaces by following the tips below.
Unobstructed Routes
It’s essential to make sure seniors’ outdoor spaces are smooth, with no cracks or uneven areas. Pathways that are uneven increase their risk of falling. Also, pathways should be made of non-slip materials, particularly in damp locations.
With home care assistance by their side, loved ones and seniors can ensure debris, including leaves, branches, and other things, is removed from pathways. It’s important to do this regularly to ensure their route remains clear.
Sufficient Lighting
Lighting is more important than one might think, especially for seniors with low vision. The easiest way to guarantee sufficient lighting is to add lighting along the pathways. It’s best if lighting is solar-powered so seniors don’t have to worry about upkeep. Also, like inside, motion lighting might be a good idea in some areas.
Seniors can work with home care assistance to find low-lighting areas by monitoring the situation throughout the day.
Assisted Devices
Handrails aren’t just for stairs and bathrooms. Loved ones can also install them in outdoor spaces to make sure seniors have the support they need to move about their space. It’s important to focus on outdoor areas where there may be stairs or inclines. Not only do handrails offer extra support, they also give seniors more confidence.
Create Cozy Seating Areas
With home care assistance, seniors can more readily enjoy sitting outside. However, they need comfortable seating to do so. In addition, the furniture used should be sturdy and have armrests. Also, it’s important to pay attention to the path of the sun and ensure there are plenty of places to sit in the shade.
Gardening Assistance
For seniors who like to be active outside, they might want to try their hand at gardening. To make it more accessible, loved ones might consider adding raised garden beds to the property. This minimizes the need for bending and crouching. Ergonomic tools, which are less stressful on joints, also make gardening easier.
Another thing to consider is seating around the gardening area so seniors can easily take a break when needed.
Pet Safety
If pets are present, loved ones need to ensure the outdoor areas are well-secured to keep the animals contained and away from potential risks. It’s also important to ensure pet waste is picked up on a regular basis.
With home care assistance and support from loved ones, seniors can enjoy their outdoor spaces just as much as their indoor spaces, especially when the above tips are taken into consideration. These steps reduce the risk of accidents and encourage seniors to spend more time outside, which has several positive effects on their physical and emotional well-being.
Any outdoor space can become a place for seniors to relax with careful planning and routine maintenance.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Assistance in Fort Collins, CO, please contact the caring staff at Talem Home Care & Placement Services of Fort Collins, CO, today. Call (970) 829-0447
At Talem Home Care & Placement Services of Fort Collins CO, we provide passionate, understanding, and flexible caregivers in Fort Collins, Ault, Berthoud, Eaton, Evans, Fort Collins, Garden City, Greeley, Johnstown, Laporte, Loveland, Milliken, Nunn, Pierce, Wellington, Windsor and surrounding areas in Colorado.
Sources:
- https://homecare-aid.com/how-to-make-your-outdoor-space-senior-friendly/#:~:text=When%20arranging%20your%20outdoor%20space,or%20other%20methods%20of%20assistance.
- https://www.srlivingsolutions.com/blog/how-to-create-a-safe-place-outdoors-for-seniors/
- https://serwalloutdoor.com/inspiration/designing-a-senior-friendly-outdoor-oasis-a-comprehensive-guide/
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