Tis the season for gift giving. We crowd the malls or browse online looking for the perfect gift for everyone on our list. This year, if you have aging loved ones on your gift list, shop smart and give the gift of safety.

If your loved one plans on aging in place (remaining in their current home instead of transitioning to a health care facility), consider helping them make over their home to create a senior-friendly environment. There are consultants that can help you give a home an aging-in-place makeover, but there are some basic features every home with a senior should have.

Quick upgrades can make life easier for an aging loved one without disrupting their lives. These upgrades can often prevent accidents and enable easy independent living. Make sure all stairwells have handrails that are secure. Change doorknobs to lever handles, so that it requires less dexterity to open or close doors. Make sure that the hot water heater is set to 120 degrees or lower to prevent any accidental burns. Finally, ensure bathroom safety by installing grab bars that can prevent or lessen the severity of a bathroom fall.

If you’re loved one has mobility problems, or a condition that may cause mobility problems, it may be time to consider more extensive upgrades to their home. Make sure all doorways will accommodate walkers or wheelchairs, in case the need to use one should become necessary. It may also be beneficial to install wheelchair ramps or shallow steps to entryways. Installing chair lifts on stairwells eliminates many of the dangers that stairs pose to aging loved ones with tenuous equilibrium. A curbless shower complete with shower seat can also help loved ones stay safe when in the bathroom.

At Capital City Nurses, we know that buying grab bars may seem like an odd holiday present, but helping your senior loved ones upgrade their homes is one of the best gifts you can give this holiday season. Making the changes to the home before they’re needed allows your loved one to become familiar with new equipment before it becomes a necessity. By planning ahead and making a few simple upgrades, you might be able to give your loved ones a gift that will keep them happy and healthy for years to come.

Happy holidays from our family to yours.