Bedrooms are a place of rest and privacy. We like to feel warm and comfortable when we are there and enjoy snuggling into our beds at the end of the day. For some, the bedroom may be a difficult place to maneuver or even a dangerous area of the home.
Looking at the bedroom carefully we find there are many areas we should be alert to and take steps to change or alter for the safety or convenience of those living in the home.
When you take a look at the bedroom in general ask some of these questions:
• Is it easy to get to the bedroom?
• Are doorways wide enough to accommodate wheelchair or walker?
• Are mattresses, pillows and bedding made with fire retardant materials?
• Can the person get easily in and out of their bed without struggling?
• Is the bed too high or too low?
• Is there a physical ailment that keeps the person from being comfortable during sleep (i.e., sore/tender feet)?
• Is the bedding protected from unexpected accidents?
• Would a bedside commode be helpful?
• Is there a clear and well-lighted pathway from the bed to the bath?
• Is there a light or flashlight near the bed?
• Is there a telephone within easy reach of the bed?
After you have taken a look around and considered some of these questions, Caregifters has some ideas that may work with adapting the bedroom, the bed and making the environment safer and more comfortable.
If the doorway is not wide enough for wheelchair or walker, a simple expandable door hinge can add an extra inch or two of width by letting the door open flush and eliminating the thick- ness of the door itself, or simply removing the door will help.
BEDS
The bed can be the most important part of the bedroom. It should be comfortable and give proper support.
Caregifters has some simple, inexpensive solutions to help with comfort. Bed wedges, pillows, neck and back rests, and cushions can help with a variety of conditions and situations such as discomfort and stiffness in the head, neck, shoulders and back or to help with breathing.
Wedges help support specific parts of the body or for body positioning; knee pillows can help with back, knee or hip pain; and cushions are helpful in preventing pressure sores and for side positioning.
Fear of falling out of bed or difficulty in getting into or out of bed can be a problem. One option is to install a rail or one of the various handles, helpers and/or bars that attach to a mattress or box springs. These handles are often adjustable and solve a variety of mobility issues.
If many hours are spent in bed, a mattress overlay may be a comfortable choice
to help reduce the possibility of pressure sores. Caregifters offers them in many different styles and choices.
Weight of the blankets can cause discomfort and restless nights if toes or feet are sore or tender. A simple blanket riser can decrease the weight and keep the warmth in the bed.
About one third of your life is spent in bed. It is important to have the right mattress, box springs, sheets and blankets for a more comfortable sleep, especially as the body ages.
LIGHTING
As one ages, one may need two to three times as much light to see well. It is important to use night lights or lights that are sensor activated by motion and or darkness. A well lit path to the bathroom during the night is very important.
Bed lamps play an important role in the safety and security of the elderly. All too often, however, the on-off knobs on lamps can be small and hard to turn. Altering the on/off switch on the lamp is easy. A device can be fastened to an existing knob, making it larger and easier to grasp and turn, a *touch* adapter or "clapper" can also be added.
Closets can be cumbersome. Rearranging a closet is one of the simplest and least costly ways to make life easier.
Brackets that allow the clothes rods to move up and down make hangers easier to reach. Store shoes and often-worn clothes at waist or chest height. Closet components can be installed to help rearrange a closet at very little cost and make it much more user friendly.
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