Creative Ways to Enhance Comfort at Home
Remaining in familiar surroundings with their memories all around them is one of the comforts of “aging in place” for seniors. However, it’s crucial to consider more than just functionality and safety to ensure this experience is genuinely fulfilling. With imaginative details and well-planned designs, along with support from elder care and loved ones, a senior’s home can be turned into a comfortable living area they can continue to enjoy for years.
Tips for Adding Comfort for Seniors Aging in Place
When considering the tips below, it’s important to include the things the senior enjoys most. Those are the enhancements that will bring them the most joy. Also, loved ones can work with elder care to ensure the additions made are safe.
Bring Nature Indoors: In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, plants also enhance air quality and create a sense of peace in a room. Simple houseplants like peace lilies, spider plants, or succulents are easy to grow while still providing seniors with the chance to care for them. This is key, as caring for plants is a great way to improve their fine motor skills. Additionally, growing an herb garden indoors can provide fresh herbs for cooking and a daily sense of purpose.
Include Multisensory Components
Comfort extends beyond the body. Loved ones should consider adding tactile components to the design, such as plush throws, textured pillows, and cozy chairs. To increase the sense of smell, they can use scented candles or essential oil diffusers with soothing aromas like eucalyptus or lavender. In addition, adding an acoustic element, such as a water feature or easy access to music, creates a general sense of calm—and since music is thought to be good for cognitive functioning, it becomes more than just background noise.
Use Technology to Engage and Entertain
Though safety technology, such as medical warning systems, is essential, loved ones can think about incorporating technology that makes life more enjoyable. Smart speakers are one example of a device that can play music, audiobooks, and even medicine reminders. Digital picture frames with a gallery of family images spinning through them can be happy and uplifting.
Create an Enjoyable Outdoor Space
Converting a patio, balcony, or garden space into a welcoming outdoor haven is a wonderful way for seniors to enjoy the outdoors. In the space, cozy chairs, pillows, and blankets can be added, as well as features like bird feeders or water elements. Family members can work with elder care to ensure the space is safe. For instance, flooring will need to be addressed if it’s made of a material that’s slippery when wet.
Introduce Lighting for More Than Just Safety
Proper lighting is key for safety, but it can also help set the mood. Loved ones can make sure the living area is comfortable by using warm, adaptable lighting. This plays into the technology mentioned above when seniors can change the color and intensity of lighting with their voice or an easy-to-use app. Of course, motion-activated lighting is also helpful, especially for safety.
With a few creative touches, a senior’s home can be transformed into a space that not only satisfies their needs but also makes them happy and fulfilled every day. When doing so, elder care can help loved ones focus on features that support both physical comfort and emotional well-being.
If you or an aging loved one is considering elder care in Highland Park, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Care Street Home Care today. Call (732) 607-8870.
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