Helping Your Parents Downsize: Creating a Safe and Accessible Home
Helping Your Parents Downsize: Creating a Safe and Accessible Home
As our parents age, their needs change. Their once spacious home might suddenly feel overwhelming, with stairs becoming a hazard and reaching for high shelves a struggle. Downsizing can be a great solution, creating a safer and more manageable environment for your senior loved ones.
It’s a big decision, and navigating the process can feel daunting. Here’s some guidance to help you support your parents through downsizing and creating an accessible home:
The Downsizing Conversation
- Start Early: The earlier you begin the discussion, the more prepared everyone will feel.
- Focus on Benefits: Emphasize the advantages of downsizing, like reduced maintenance, improved accessibility, and potentially lower living costs
- Be Patient: Change can be difficult, especially for older adults. Offer reassurance and be patient as they adjust to the idea.
Getting Organized
- Declutter Together: Work with your parents to sort through belongings. Consider using the KonMari method, keeping only items that “spark joy.”
- Donate or Sell: Donate gently used items to charities like the Salvation Army or Value Village or sell valuables online or through consignment shops.
- Digitize Memories: Scan photos and documents or invest in a digital photo frame to save space and preserve cherished memories.
Finding the Right Accessible Home
- Consider Their Needs: Talk to your parents about their physical limitations and future needs. Will they need a single-story home or a building with an elevator?
- Research Accessibility Resources: The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety offers a wealth of information on creating accessible living spaces.
- Government Resources: Explore financial assistance programs that may help with home modifications, like grants from the Canadian government
Making Their New Home Accessible
- Simple Modifications: Install grab bars in bathrooms, add ramps for any steps, and improve lighting throughout the home.
- Smart Technology: Consider smart home devices like voice-activated thermostats and lighting for added convenience and safety.
- Accessibility Consultants: If extensive modifications are needed, consulting a certified professional occupational therapist or accessibility consultant can ensure safety and functionality.
Moving and Support
- Hire Professionals: Consider hiring professional movers who specialize in senior moves to ensure a smooth transition.
- Emotional Support: Downsizing can be emotionally trying. Be present and supportive throughout the process, offering help when needed and simply being a listening ear.
Remember: Downsizing is a journey, not a race. Take it one step at a time, communicate openly with your parents, and prioritize making their new home comfortable, safe, and accessible. By working together, you can create a living environment that allows your senior loved ones to maintain their independence and age gracefully within the comfort of their own home.
Bayshore Home Health offers a wide range of home care services to help Canadians live independently for as long as possible. Contact us at 1-877-289-3997 for details.