May 21, 2020

By Louie Delaware – Co-Founder of the Living In Place Institute

Are you worried now about your mom or dad because they might need more care and monitoring in their home? Or are you wondering if they should move to a place that is already safer for their needs, complete with grab bars, wider halls and doorways for walkers and wheelchairs, curbless showers and emergency pull cords? These worries trouble many adult children every day, especially if they live far away from their parents.

Before the Covid-19 shutdown, it was a relatively easy decision. Many of us looked for an independent living facility where our parents could enjoy life every day and still receive just a little oversight to ensure their well-being. Or we looked for assisted living centers that provided specific monitoring and limited medical care. In either case, there were many opportunities for them to have meaningful social engagement with their family and friends.

The world is now different. Many of those facilities are now hotbeds of infection. Residents are now quarantined, and many who are not allowed to leave their rooms face social isolation from their friends and families.

My mom passed before the virus and had distinct signs of dementia. She was also profoundly hearing challenged and had a difficult time conversing with female caregivers, who were the majority of the facility staff. I can only imagine the frustration and confusion she would have now been forced to endure. Not being able to engage face-to-face with others would have put her over the top.

So as designers and contractors, today’s circumstances with these unfortunate scenarios present new opportunities for you. Smart businesses will take advantage of marketing themselves as a new solution for these individuals, helping make their clients’ home environments safe – comfortable – accessible, so they can stay where would like to live and not be put into a forced quarantine and be happier.

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Better Options

First, most homes can be modified to create a comfortable environment that is safe and accessible. Your clients can retain the dignity and independence they deserve, and we can all gain peace of mind knowing their home environment is not only safer for them but also for their friends and family who visit them and may have challenges of their own.

The average cost in the U.S. for assisted living is about $6,000 a month. The cost to modify a standard-sized bathroom to make it more functional, safer, comfortable and accessible is about $34,000. In less than six months, the project may pay for itself. One key change that many are now choosing to install are personal hygiene toilet seats. These simply replace the existing seat and allow for a person to maintain their dignity (as no one wants a family member to help them with toileting) and possibly stay at home longer without specialized care. In many cases, they do not need toilet paper. Funny how we used to take toilet paper for granted – not anymore!

To begin this process, talk with their occupational or physical therapist to determine the specific needs now and in the future. Ideas may include changing standard towel bars and toilet paper holders to new models that are beautiful and can help a person who uses them for support. Change lights to LEDs that can adjust throughout the day to improve wellness. Adding smart features can be anything from a doorbell that alerts someone on their smartphone to non-camera systems that monitor a person’s activities during the day and send an alert if there is an accident.

If the home is too difficult to modify because of layout or age, a smart option may be to move to one that is more appropriate. A single-level home is the best way to go, as it easier on the client and limits cost expenditures for modifications.

Every client is unique. These suggestions are not for everyone. A family caring for a family member with cognitive or medical needs that require skilled care is usually beyond the capabilities or finances of most.

These are challenging times for your clients, especially those who may be in care facilities. Many are now pausing to think, what do we do if (or when) this happens again? How will they survive? Can I help them live with the tough decisions they may face?

The old saying holds true: You only have one chance to do something properly and safely. Be in a position to help your clients make the best decisions.