Her bedroom is where your senior family member sleeps and relaxes. If she's not safe there, she can be badly injured.Install Lighting Assistance
Lighting is something that's easy to overlook. Light switches can be tough to reach from a reclining position, which can be dangerous for your senior. Consider adding a lamp that works with by touch or a clapping system that your senior can operate with no trouble. Night lights throughout the room can also help quite a bit.
Lower the Bed
For some aging adults, beds are just too far off the ground. This makes it difficult to safely get up from lying down and it's complicated to get into at night. Foot stools can be a problem, too, so it's best to avoid them if possible. Frames with shorter legs can help to lower the bed several inches or you might consider getting a shorter box spring or mattress for your senior. Even lowering the bed a couple of inches can make a big different for your elderly family member.
Consider Bed Rails
Bed rails are especially helpful if your senior is a restless sleeper or if she needs help turning over or getting up. Many of these rails are easy to install and remove, occasionally even without tools. Some of the easiest ones to install wedge in between the mattress and the box spring. You could also consider using a different type of assistive device that uses a pole to mount between the floor and ceiling with a variety of handles at different heights.
Keep Assistive Devices Near the Bed
If your senior uses assistive devices, it's a good idea to keep extras near the bed. She may bring them to bed with her, but if they fall over it can be difficult to retrieve them on her own. Consider keeping some safely tucked near the bed so that your senior has a backup if she needs one.
Consider Grab Bars in the Room
Grab bars are incredibly helpful all over your aging family member's home. They can be especially helpful in her bedroom where she's more likely to be unstable. Place bars anywhere that there is space along the wall and make sure that they're firmly fastened into the studs.
If you're concerned that you've missed something that can make your elderly family member even safer in her bedroom, consider asking senior care providers to go over the room with you. They know what to look for and what can be a potential problem for elderly adults.
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE ARE CONSIDERING HIRING IN-HOME SENIOR CARE IN HYDE PARK, IL, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT BRIGHTSTAR CARE CHICAGO. CALL TODAY: 312.382.8888.