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.