How to Ensure Safety in a Multi-Generational Home

What Is Multi-Generational Living?

Multi-generational living encompasses a variety of arrangements where grandparents, parents, and children live together. This setup allows families to reduce financial burdens, care for one another physically and emotionally, and create a stronger family unit. With the rising costs of living and the need for increased support as people age, many families find this arrangement beneficial.

Modifications Needed for Safety

To make a home safe and comfortable for older parents living with their adult children, consider the following modifications:

• Evaluate your home for accessibility issues. If there are stairs, ensure that they are well-lit and equipped with handrails. If possible, consider relocating the parents’ bedroom and bathroom to the main floor to eliminate the need for stairs. This will greatly enhance their mobility and independence.
• Make bathroom modifications. Bathrooms can be particularly slippery, so adding grab bars near the toilet and in the shower or bathtub can significantly reduce the risk of falls. Consider converting your tub to a walk-in shower with a bench-seat and don’t forget a comfort-height toilet to make sitting down and standing up a breeze.
• Improve lighting indoors and out. Good lighting is crucial for safety. Ensure that all areas of the home, especially hallways, staircases, and bathrooms, are well-lit, and consider motion-activated lights for convenience. Additionally, make sure outdoor paths and walkways are well lit during evening hours.
• Declutter and organize. A clutter-free environment is essential for reducing trip hazards. Keep walkways clear of furniture, cords, and other obstacles. Encourage all family members to maintain a tidy living space to help prevent falls and promote safety.
• Adjust furniture layout. Rearranging furniture can create a more open and navigable space. Ensure that there is ample room for older parents to move around without obstruction. Consider using furniture with rounded edges to minimize injury risks.
• Create a personal space. While sharing a home has many perks, privacy is also essential. Designate a personal space for older parents that includes their own bedroom and, if possible, a small living area. This space can provide them with a sense of independence and comfort.

By assessing accessibility needs, installing supportive features, improving lighting, and creating personal spaces, families can foster an environment that accommodates everyone. If you need to make your home safer and more accessible now or in the future, contact Norhio Plumbing. From tub-to-shower conversion and comfort height toilets to grabs bars and anti-scald valves, we have the solutions you need to make your home safe and comfortable for yourself and your loved ones.