Adapting Bedrooms

In August, we shared ways to adapt your kitchen for a senior or a person with disabilities. This month, we’d like to share some adaptations that can be made for another room in the house – the bedroom! Depending on how big your house is, if it has more than one floor, or what your budget allows, making just some of these changes can give both a loved one and a caregiver some necessary peace of mind. These changes might also apply to other rooms in the house.

·        Labels: Labels are helpful for everyone, no matter what the room. Add labels to dresser drawers, closet storage, etc. to make things easy to find. We also recommend creating “homes” for things, like a basket for remote controllers, or a basket for books, so that there is a “go-to” place to find what you need. You just have to make sure your loved one puts things back!

·        Organizing cords: Ensure that electric cords are labeled and out of the way. You may need to tape them to the wall or floor with duct tape to prevent your loved one from tripping.

·         Moving the bedroom: The bedroom will need to be close to the bathroom or easily accessible. This might mean moving the bed and bedroom storage into your living room, or converting the dining room into a new bedroom. To close off doorways, add a curtain rod above doorways with simple fabric or curtains to create privacy if a door doesn’t already exist. You’ll want to keep doorways wide for equipment, wheelchairs, etc., and sometimes doors can restrict the passageway.

·        Light switches: If you can’t move light switches to a convenient place, think about adding a remote-controlled light switch device. These are affordable options and a convenient way for people to manage the light in their room without having to move. Check the kinds of light switches on lamps and think about whether or not weak or arthritic hands have the ability to turn switches or “clap on” lights.

·        Alarm clocks: Depending on your loved one’s sleep habits, you may need to invest in a louder alarm or even a bed shaker that lightly vibrates the mattress.

·       Specialized furniture: Does your loved one need a special bed or chair? Or maybe they need a bed rail to keep them in bed at night, or support to get out? Check in with your healthcare provider on these needs before you invest in these devices.

Before making any big (or even small) changes to your home, you can contact an Occupational Therapist. These professionals can help you assess your needs and give you advice on adapting your loved one’s sleeping and living arrangements.