Please welcome guest blogger Beverly Nelson, StandUpForCaregivers.org. In this post she discusses ways to help set up spaces for your aging parents.

Having your parents close by is beneficial in making sure Mom and Dad are cared for properly and get what they need as they age. Preparing your home for your loved ones to move in can be easy with a few tweaks that will provide a safe, spacious living arrangement for everyone.

Funds for Adjusting Your Space

For people making this transition, financial concerns are often top of mind. Thankfully, many accessibility adjustments are minor and require little to no money. In the event that your home requires more significant changes, you can look into grants or borrow against your home’s equity, and in some states Medicaid will cover certain renovations. A mother-in-law suite or “granny pod” might be a perfect solution.

You could also arrange to purchase your parent’s home using an assumable mortgage. If their home is better able to accommodate both your and your parents’ needs, talk to them about taking over their current mortgage as is, and paying them the difference between its value and what they owe through a smaller loan. This is a palatable option if the home will appropriately accommodate your current or future housing plans, as you might decide to sell your home to move in with your senior loved one.

Create a Safe Home Environment

The first thing you need to consider is how accessible your home is overall. Take a hard look at seemingly small things, like the navigability of your floors. While throw rugs add texture and coziness to a room’s decor, they may not be the safest choices for your aging parents. Tacking down loose rugs or disposing of them may be your best answer. In addition, today’s lifestyle requires more items to be charged and plugged into walls. Reimagine your charging locations so cords are not in walking areas.

In the bathroom, install a non-skid surface on the tub and shower floor as well as grab bars. Utilize nightlights in the bathroom and throughout the house for safety and to add a cozy aesthetic. Another easy fix to make your home safe is to remove excess furniture that is adding clutter to rooms and rearrange to create or expand walkway areas. Utilize natural lighting and add more general lighting throughout the home.

Create a Special Room

When setting up a bedroom for an older person, the best location is on the main floor. If there is no space available, a stairlift for the second story is one option, or you can add an addition to the house. Special planning for this addition can give Mom and Dad a private bathroom suite and separate entrance. This space should provide comfort, support, and safety. Any private entrance should have strong deadbolt locks and a peephole.

Make sure the bedroom sanctuary provides ample space to get in and out of bed and move around the room safely, especially for walkers and canes. The bed height should be between 25 and 36 inches to make it easier to get in and out of and give easy access for feet to touch the floor. Decorate together and transform the environment into a comfortable, familiar living space.

Create an Apartment

If you have a basement area, you can create an apartment where your loved ones have their own access and living space, including a bathroom and kitchen area. You can do some DIY projects in the renovation, but the more detailed you get, the more you will want to work with a reliable contractor to reduce headaches and time of completion. For instance, creating a new entryway requires a professional contractor.

Costs for renovating a basement depend on your specific location, the materials you choose, and what improvements you need. Basements have particular challenges. For instance, if you want to add carpet to warm up the space, be sure to install a subfloor to prevent mold. Experts say that a finished basement will increase your home’s value by 70% of your expense for the renovation, so make sure it is done right by a professional and you have a high-quality space to ensure a good market price later.

The benefits of having your parents close by to share daily living and ensure their best quality of life will far exceed any renovation process you need to go through. Giving Mom and Dad a safe, livable home with access to family and friends while providing personal privacy can bring comfort and peace to the entire family. If your loved one suffers from dementia, Utilize all of the resources available to you to create a loving, safe, and comfortable home for your aging parents.

For more support information, check out Tracy’s resources page.

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Beverly Nelson created StandUpForCaregivers.org, which aims to protect and advocate for the health and well-being of adult caregivers. Her goal is to build the website into an online community for caregivers.