There are many factors that you need to consider when setting up a bedroom for an elderly person.
Beyond simply wondering whether the furniture fits the size of the room or whether they will like the wallpaper, there are safety measures and mobility issues that need to be considered.
In this article, we will look at all the key factors that need to be considered when you set up an elderly bedroom.
Location
Whether the bedroom you are setting up is in your own home, a relative’s home or an assisted living home, the location of the room is very important.
The current mobility of the elderly person should be taken into account, as well as their future mobility needs.
For example, if the elderly person has good mobility and is still active with no decline in their mobility, it is feasible that they could access a room higher than the first floor.
However, if the elderly person has poor or declining mobility, a room located on the first floor or with easy elevator access would be necessary.
Flooring
The choice of flooring in the elderly person’s bedroom is very important. A hardwood or linoleum floor for example would increase the risk of falls due to its low level of grip.
This risk would increase if the elderly person was unwilling or unable to wear slippers constantly.
The best choice of flooring for the bedroom would be carpeting wall to wall. The carpet should be low-pile, with a firmly padded underlay. Ensure that the flooring is firmly fixed to the floorboards and is free of any rips, loose edges, bumps, or other trip hazards.
Furniture
The needs of the elderly person should be considered when selecting furniture for their bedroom.
For example, they may require specialist furniture to assist in maintaining their independence such as chairs that rise and recline to allow for easier sitting and standing motions. They may also need adjustable beds to have a safe, comfortable sleep.
Even if the elderly person can have regular furniture in their bedroom, adjustments may need to be made to increase their safety.
For instance, a regular bed and mattress may need to be stacked or raised to ensure it is at a height that facilitates ease of entry and exit. As a general rule, the mattress should be in line with the elderly person’s knees.
Accessories such as safety rails or pressure relieving mattresses should be used where appropriate.
Lighting
Correct lighting provides a large amount of safety for your elderly bedroom. However, it is important to ensure that there is a variety of lighting in the room instead of simply flooding the room with bright ceiling lights.
While a bright, large ceiling light is important for providing a general wash of light during dark hours, by itself, it is not conducive to a healthy environment.
You should ensure that there is an easily accessible, warm light next to the elderly person’s bed to provide light while getting into bed and during the night.
It could also be useful to have a standard lamp near the elderly person’s chair to provide light for hobbies such as reading, knitting, or watching television.
Automatic wall socket lights should also be used to illuminate walkways from the bedroom to the bathroom at nighttime.
It is also important to make sure that the elderly bedroom has windows that allow for plenty of natural light to enter the room during daylight hours. This can have a great overall effect on the elderly person’s general wellbeing.
Medical Aids
An important consideration to have when setting up an elderly bedroom is the type of medical aids that the occupant needs currently and in the future.
If the elderly person requires a walking aid such as a cane or a frame to move around, it is important to make sure that enough space has been allocated to walkways and storage space.
A hardwired phone with large numbers should also be located next to the elderly person’s bed so that it is accessible in an emergency. Other technical emergency aids should be considered based on the elderly person’s mobility and capacity.
Motion or weight sensor pads may be used if necessary to stop nighttime walking. intercom systems or personal alarms could also be used if necessary in line with the elderly person’s needs.
Spacing
A cluttered room is an accident waiting to happen in an elderly bedroom. Without adequate spcae for maneuvering during daily tasks or emergencies, the room is not safe.
When setting up an elderly bedroom, make sure to be aware of the amount of space available and remove unnecessary furniture and clutter.
Ensure that the elderly person will have enough sturdy furniture items to hold on to if necessary, whilst maintaining a clear and spacious walkway to allow for movement through the room.
Closet space should also be kept free of clutter or overcrowding to avoid any accidents resulting from falling clothes or cluttered floors.
Decor
While it can be easy to focus too much on the safety features of an elderly bedroom, it is important to make sure that the room is appealing to its occupant.
Ensure that the walls are properly painted in a neutral, warm color. Hang photographs or paintings that will make the room feel more like home for the elderly person.
Use bedding from their home to make the room feel more familiar and comfortable. Provide window coverings that complement or match the bedding and wall colors.
Lined window coverings can also be useful in creating a more comfortable sleeping environment for the elderly person.
This is a stage where the occupant can be involved if they have the capacity to help make them feel more at home in the bedroom.
Final Thoughts
Safety should be your paramount consideration when setting up an elderly bedroom. However, it is important to remember that this is a space where the occupant will spend a lot of their time, making it feel welcoming and comfortable is equally important.
