An apartment in a senior community can be the best of both worlds for an aging friend or relative. Apartment living in communities like The Courtyards at River Park allows the resident to stay independent, but have help with whatever things they need, like lawn care, laundry and even meals. Some senior communities include an assisted living center where seniors can move once they do need more help with day-to-day activities.
But one issue to consider with senior apartments is that they must be furnished and maintained safely so that the resident doesn't sustain a fall or injury that will make moving into the assisted living part of the community happen more quickly than it needs to. Take the following steps to help your parent or friend pare down his or her belongings and get moved in to a safe environment.
Eliminate floor coverings.
Yes, area rugs and throw rugs are homey and attractive, but they spell bad news for seniors as they get less steady on their feet. Consider moving into a senior apartment with wall-to-wall carpeting or comfortable hardwood floors, and leaving the rugs behind.
Light up the rooms with LED bulbs.
LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs are bright, last for years and never get hot. LEDs can also be used directionally to focus light on main task areas and give seniors brighter light in kitchens, bathrooms and sitting areas.
Compact fluorescent light bulbs carry some of the same benefits, but they have some drawbacks—they don't often last as long as advertised, some people don't like the look of fluorescent lighting, and they contain toxins, including mercury, which can be pose a hazard if the bulbs are dropped and broken.
While you're at it, invest in some motion-detecting night lights with LED bulbs that go on automatically when the resident gets up or moves around. This ensures that he or she will always be able to see and won't have to fumble for a light.
Fight fire with the right equipment.
Make sure that smoke alarms are all new and have 10-year batteries in them, so that they won't fail. If the alarm installed in the apartment does not include both noise and flashing lights, replace them with a new model that does, so that seniors with hearing loss won't miss the alert.
It's also important to have a fire extinguisher in a convenient location. Get a smaller extinguisher that is more practical for an older person to pick up and use, and review videos or training information on how to operate the extinguisher. It's not a bad idea to laminate instructions and keep them close to the extinguisher unit, as well.
Practice safe cooking habits.
Most seniors should get, and use, a microwave oven for most things. Since many senior apartments offer meal plans, the kitchens in apartment units are mostly for snacks and the occasional meal. Make sure that the resident has a variety of frozen meals and can heat them up as needed. Eliminate hot plates or burners as much as possible.
You can also get a pod-style coffee and tea maker that eliminates needing to turn coffee pots off or brew tea. As an added benefit, these machines make beverages that aren't too hot and won't burn the mouth of a senior.
Find out from your apartment community what safety services are offered. Some facilities make sure housekeepers and maintenance staff check each apartment regularly for problems; others have regular safety audits performed by trained staff members. Keep the apartment safe and your family member or friend will be happy and comfortable for as long as possible.
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