How to Design a Healthy Home for Your Parents
If you want your parents to live a long and enjoyable life, you should ensure that their home is healthy. What does it mean, though? Simply put, a healthy home is cozy and pleasant to live in. It is a place that makes you feel safe and happy and supports your mental and physical health.
The best tips for designing a home for your parents include making it bright and airy and investing in a high-quality HVAC system and home security. In addition, you could buy a few easy-to-care-for plants and safety-proof the entire property.
If you want to know more about the above-mentioned things, read on! Here, you will find a short guide to designing a healthy and cozy home for your parents. Once you are done reading, creating a truly fantastic place to live in for them should become much more manageable.
Make It Bright and Airy
A healthy home should be filled with light — the more natural light, the better. Not only will it make the rooms inside it look bigger and more welcoming, but it will also improve your parents’ mood and help them stay active.
To begin with, add flat roof windows and skylights. This way, you can maximize the amount of light that enters each room. Although, remember to opt for easy-to-learn solutions that your parents can handle on their own. For example, investing in a skylight that needs to be opened manually might be unwise.
You could also consider painting the walls in light colors to make the rooms appear airier. White, pale blue or light green would be perfect for this purpose. Putting a few mirrors here and there is also a viable option. They will reflect the light coming in and make the rooms seem even brighter.
Invest in a Solid HVAC System
Another crucial element of a healthy home is a good heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. In winter, when it is cold outside, your parents need to be able to keep their home warm without spending too much money on energy bills. And in summer, they should have no issues cooling the property.
Ensure that the HVAC system you install is not too loud and ensures good indoor air quality. After all, your parents should be able to enjoy their time at home without having to worry about the noise or the air they are breathing.
Install a Home Security System
As we get older, we become more vulnerable to burglaries and other types of crimes. This is why installing a high-quality home security system in your parents’ home is essential. Look for a system that includes features such as burglary protection, fire protection, carbon monoxide detectors, and medical emergency alerts.
Moreover, make sure to choose a system that is easy to use. You want your parents to be able to arm and disarm it without any problems. If you can afford it, pick a system that comes with constant monitoring. That way, someone will always be there to help your parents in case of an emergency.
Buy a Few Plants
Plants are not only aesthetically pleasing but also beneficial for our health. They improve indoor air quality and can even boost our mood. So, if you want your parents to live in a healthy home, consider putting a few plants in it.
If your parents cannot move around much, choose plants that require little to no care, such as succulents or cacti. On the other hand, if one or both of your parents has a green thumb, they might enjoy taking care of more demanding plants, such as roses. If you are unsure what plants would be the best option here, ask your parents for their opinion or head to your local gardening store for advice.
Safety-Proof the Property
The elderly are more prone to falls and other accidents. Because of that, you need to safety-proof the entire property. Start by getting rid of any tripping hazards, such as loose rugs or electrical cords. Install handrails on all the staircases and in the bathroom. If your parents have a yard, ensure it is well-lit and free of obstacles.
It would be best also to consider getting your parents a medical alert system. With it, they will be able to call for help in case of an emergency. How does it work? Well, most systems come with a bracelet or pendant that your parents can wear at all times. If they need assistance, they will only have to press a button, and someone will be there to help them as soon as possible.
In Conclusion
As you can see, there are many things to keep in mind when designing a healthy home for your parents. For starters, make sure to let in plenty of natural light and invest in a sound HVAC system. Thanks to it, you will improve their mood, help them stay active, and ensure that the air they breathe is free of pollutants.
Another crucial element of a healthy home is a top-notch security system. It will give your parents the peace of mind they need to feel safe and relaxed in their own home. And last but not least, do not forget to add a few easy-to-care-for plants and safety-proof the entire property.
By following these simple tips, you should be able to create a healthy and cozy home for your parents that they will love!