As you age, you may notice that your body doesn’t do what it used to. It’s natural to experience some amount of “old person stuff” when you get older, whether arthritis or something else. If you have arthritis, though, senior housing in Metairie, LA, can help keep your symptoms in check while ensuring that the disease doesn’t negatively impact your quality of life. In this article, we’ll talk about how senior housing is designed with the safety of those with arthritis in mind (and how it differs from other types of housing).
Senior-friendly independent living communities often have the same design features that make your home more comfortable. A few examples include the following:
- Automatic door openers and handicap-accessible bathrooms are standard in many senior living communities, making it easier for those with arthritis to get around without assistance.
- The lighting is bright enough to avoid tripping over things (or stubbing your toe on furniture) but not so bright as to cause eye strain or headaches.
- Floors are carpeted or covered in rugs, which helps prevent slips and falls caused by wet floors due to inclement weather or spills from food preparation areas such as kitchens or dining rooms.
In addition to being designed with the safety of those with arthritis in mind, senior living communities offer a number of other benefits:
Senior living communities can be a great option for aging loved ones who want to age in place but are worried about the cost of home ownership and maintenance as they age. Many Retirement communities include all utilities in the monthly rent, making them a more affordable long-term housing choice. -Senior living communities offer an alternative to nursing homes or assisted living communities if you want more independence from caretakers. Residents often live in apartments or houses within the community instead of having rooms in a nursing facility.
The following items are good examples of how senior living communities address the needs of their residents who have arthritis:
Common Areas Are Easier To Navigate
Aging loved ones with arthritis will find navigating common areas in senior housing easier. This is because many of these facilities have been designed to accommodate wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility devices such as canes and crutches.
If you’re looking for a place where your loved one will be able to move around safely and independently, look for a housing community that has wide hallways, elevators large enough for wheelchairs or scooters (some even have elevator buttons specifically designed for those who have difficulty pushing buttons), stairways with handrails on each side and level access points throughout the building’s entrances and exits. In addition, some senior-friendly independent living communities offer specially designated spaces where residents can store their walkers when they’re not using them so they don’t have to carry them around all day long-this can make life much easier!
Door Handles Are Easy To Grip
When you’re in a hurry, it can be frustrating to search for the right handle. This is why aging loved ones with arthritis love that their doors are designed with easy-to-grip handles. The door handle is placed at a height that makes it easy for them to open and close without straining their hands or wrists. They don’t need to struggle with mobility issues when trying to get inside or out of the building-it’s just as simple as pressing down on one lever!
There’s Socialization And Services Available
Senior housing is designed to be social. It can be one of your loved one’s most critical aspects. Many people get lonely and isolated when they can’t live independently anymore, so having other people around is crucial for their mental health.
Faucets Are Easy To Turn And Have Insulated Handles
One of the most essential features is a faucet that’s easy to turn. Many people with arthritis have trouble gripping, so they rely on their wrists and forearms to do the work. If you can’t grip well, getting enough pressure on your wrist is challenging when turning off the water or adjusting its temperature. In addition to being easy to turn, faucets should have insulated handles to reduce heat loss through contact with wet hands. This helps prevent colds and other infections (which are common among aging family members).
Device Chargers Are Accessible And Easy To Use
When an aging adult is living alone, it can be difficult to keep track of their devices and ensure they’re charged. Even if you have an older adult living with you, there are times when they may need help charging their phone or tablet.
For this reason, many senior-friendly independent living communities offer chargers that are easily accessible to everyone. They’re often placed in common areas so residents can use them whenever they need to charge their phones or other devices. This makes it easy for those with arthritis in their hands or fingers by allowing them more time between charges than if they had to find an outlet somewhere else in the building (or even a house).
No-Step Or Low-Step Entryways Make It Easier On The Knees And Hips
One of the most important features of senior housing is an easy-to-navigate entryway, especially for those with mobility issues. For example, no-step or low-step entryways are standard in many residential buildings. This means there are no steps on your way into and out of the building- you can walk right in without having to climb over anything. This can be especially helpful if you have arthritis or other mobility problems that make climbing stairs difficult or painful.
Floors Have Non-Slip Surfaces That Aren’t Slippery When Wet
Floors are designed with non-slip surfaces that remain stable even when wet. This is especially important for people who have arthritis or other health conditions that make it difficult for them to walk.
Non-slip surfaces don’t just mean “not slippery.” They also don’t change shape based on the weight of a person walking over them-they stay flat and firm, making sure your feet don’t slide around as you walk. This makes it easier for aging family members who need help getting around their homes safely and those who want extra support when walking from room to room or outside in inclement weather conditions like rain or snow (which can make even non-slippery floors feel slippery).
Conclusion
If you or someone you know is living with arthritis, this article has given you some insight into what senior housing options might work best for them. The key thing to remember is that many different types of senior housing are available, and not all of them are right for everyone. Therefore, it’s important to research before deciding where to live as an older adult with arthritis!
