Taking care of an elderly family member with motorized blinds

When living with an elderly family member, it's crucial to take certain precautions in the home.

Many houses aren't designed to support the ailments of senior citizens and Kathryn Haslanger, the senior vice president for community benefit and external affairs for the visiting nurse service of New York, suggests some helpful modifications in the Huffington Post.

Stairs are a common obstacle for the elderly and she claims that a threshold ramp is an idea worth being considered. Rubber or permanent ramps will help seniors up and down floors and railings may be another valuable addition.

Bathrooms will also benefit from renovations, according to the news source. Elevated toilet seats and showers should include railings to give extra support to those who need it.

Lighting is another important feature in a home. Haslanger claims that an 85-year-old requires three times more light than a 15-year-old to see the same object, so make sure rooms are fresh, bright and vibrant, as well as clear of obstacles.

Motorized blinds can make it much easier for seniors to navigate through rooms, because, with the flip of a switch, a room can be bathed in daylight. They are available in roman, roller, solar shade and wood designs, so they can also enhance the aesthetic appeal of a room.