What are the personal items for nursing home residents? In this article from humanhealthmag, we will discuss this issue.
Moving to a nursing home can be a big change in a person’s life. Separating from the familiar environment and moving to an unfamiliar environment can be challenging. However, by bringing some personal items, residents can create a more comfortable and intimate space for themselves. Maybe these things will help them feel relaxed, as if they are in their own home.
List of Personal Items for Nursing Home Residents
- Von Quellen aus dem Internet
- Clothing: underwear, socks, pajamas, suit and comfortable shoes
- Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, lotion, sun cream and other necessary toiletries
- Craft supplies
- Hearing aids and extra batteries
- Decor or Interior design
- Favorite books
- Towels
- Walker or cane
- Orthopedic aids
- Diabetic Socks
- Personal care items
- Personal items
- Photo Album, Family photos
- Special artwork or posters
- Sports memorabilia
- Stuffed animals
- A favorite blanket
- Audiobooks
- Flowers
- Food and snacks
- Games
- Magazines, books, and other fun items.
- Medication
- Shaving Kit
- Plants or small flowers
- Soap
- 2 Pairs of slippers
- A favorite chair
- Glasses: sunglasses, reading glasses and any other type of glasses you need
What items should I not take with me to the nursing home?
- Firearms or other weapons
- Drugs or alcohol
- Incendiary or explosive materials
- Pets (excluding permitted service animals)
- Complex medical equipment
- Cash or expensive jewelry
Personal Items for Nursing Home Residents: Elderly Room Arrangement
If you are going to take care of elderly people in your home, it is better to allocate the most comfortable and closest bedroom to them. Also, it is better for this bedroom to have the shortest distance to the bathroom so that the comfort and convenience of these dignitaries can be provided and the risk of falling and being injured by various objects that are on the way is reduced.
But if you plan to take them to a nursing home, it is better to prepare the space of the room according to their mood. Taking some personal items for nursing home residents can be very effective in their mood.
Psychological research shows that an average of 7 out of 10 seniors suffer from the sadness of losing independence in their old age. If you think that your elderly father or mother is happy to be dependent on you, you are very wrong.
To solve this discomfort and reduce the suffering of these loved ones, it is better to arrange a calm and beautiful arrangement for their room in the nursing home so that they can spend their hours in peace. There are many devices that should be placed in the space of the elderly room so that relative comfort prevails in that room; Among these items, we can mention a suitable bed and a warm, soft and beautiful bedspread.
It is better to use a happy and warm color combination predominantly in the space because this color range increases the warmth and intimacy of the space and is very compatible with the mood of the elderly.
Personal Items for Nursing Home Residents: Bathroom Equipment
Bathroom equipment is one of the most essential personal items for nursing home residents. Bathing is among the issues that are considered difficult for most of the elderly! But if the bathroom is equipped with special equipment for the elderly, this difficult task will definitely become easier.
As a result, the elderly can also take a bath whenever they want. But what equipment is needed for the bathroom of the elderly? In the following, we introduce a complete list of practical appliances and equipment for the bathroom of the elderly.
Due to the fact that the bathroom is a wet space and constantly in contact with water, there is a possibility of slipping and sliding for everyone. Since it is difficult for the elderly to maintain and control their balance, and if they slip, there is a possibility of fracture in different parts of their body; Therefore, increasing safety and using accessories and equipment that make bathing safe and very simple is one of the most important tasks that must be done.
Usually, the nursing home is equipped with such devices. But if some of these equipments are not available in the nursing home, the family of the elderly person can prepare some of them as personal items for nursing home residents. Especially if you choose an equipped suite for your elderly loved one in a nursing home.
1- Adequate Light in the Bathroom
Bathroom lighting is one of the important things that you must pay attention to. Most of the elderly are sensitive to low light in the bathroom because light is extremely important in this relatively small space, and if it is low, the possibility of injuries increases; Therefore, if equipping a bathroom for the elderly, first pay attention to the light in the bathroom and dressing room so that there is enough light.
2- Installing a wall closet for essentials
One of the problems that threaten the health of the elderly in the bathroom is the elderly trying to use sanitary appliances. Therefore, it is better to put all the accessories needed for bathing within the reach of the elderly by using a wall closet. Sometimes, elderly people have irreparable accidents while trying to remove sanitary ware in the bathroom, which could be avoided only by installing a closet or placing a shelf in the lower part of the wall.
3- Installing a Metal Handle or Bar
Most of the elderly people dry their body with a towel after bathing. Therefore, it is necessary to use a metal rod or handle to maintain their balance. Because if the elderly cannot maintain their balance, they may slip and break parts of their body, which is very dangerous.
Therefore, you can reduce the possibility of danger by using a sturdy metal handle of medium length and mounting it on the wall. These handholds are highly effective in reducing risk. If needed, you can install it in several parts of the bathroom so that the elderly can use it while taking a bath if they feel in danger. To choose a handle, pay attention to the following:
- The bar should be able to bear the weight of the elderly.
- be resistant to slipping.
- It should be installed in a place in the bathroom that is fully accessible and visible to the elderly.
- The bar should be attached to the wall with strong screws.
- Its material should be chosen in such a way as to reduce the ability to slip.
4- Using Non-Slip Flooring in the Bathroom
Most standard bathrooms are designed in such a way that all the water in the bathroom is transferred to the outlet and directed to the well; But this does not prevent the elderly from slipping, and because the bathroom floor is wet and there is a slope, the possibility of slipping may even increase. Therefore, using an anti-slip flooring on the floor of the bathroom or toilet reduces the risk of the elderly falling, and they can experience a low-risk bathroom.
5- Chairs or Wheelchairs for the Bathroom
In some cases, it is not possible to stand under the shower due to old age and disability. Therefore, it is better to use chairs or wheelchairs that are built for use in the bathroom. These chairs provide a simple and risk-free bath for your seniors due to its rust resistance. Broda Chair vs Geri Chair, what’s the difference? In this article, we examined the key differences between Broda chairs and Jerry chairs to find out which one is better for older adults.
6- Placing an Alarm in the Bathroom
If your elderly person takes a bath alone, it is necessary to put an alarm in the bathroom. because in case of any problem or damage, he can inform the outside; Therefore, use alarms that are easy to use and the elderly can easily inform the nurse or nursing home staff about the problem.
Rehabilitation Equipment
Now that we are familiar with Personal Items for Nursing Home Residents, let’s talk about the rehabilitation equipment of the sanitary service for the elderly and disabled.
This equipment includes a variety of fixed and movable handles, auxiliary chairs for sitting in the bathroom, and fixed and mechanized chairs for safe and comfortable use in restrooms for the elderly, disabled, and veterans. In general, the design of these products is such that the auxiliary handles can be installed in the toilet and bathroom to help the elderly and disabled sit and stand and create a safe environment for them.
Concluding Remarks: Elderly safety with smart homes
In this article we talked about personal items for nursing home residents.More than a necessary safety device, smart home devices for the elderly are intended for the comfort and convenience of the elderly and are available to assist the elderly. New technologies serve different people of all ages and we can use these technologies to care for the elderly. Smartening is a modern way towards the comfort of all people. Among the applications of intelligentization, we can mention creating a safe and comfortable environment for the elderly.
A smart home can serve any person with any problem or limitation. For example, people with physical disabilities such as movement challenges or vision and hearing problems, or people with cognitive impairment, can somehow benefit from the benefits of home automation. Equipment such as thermostats, automation of household appliances, security systems such as burglar alarms, cameras, video alarms, etc. will all serve the comfort and convenience of these people.
FAQs
What items can I take with me to the nursing home?
You are allowed to bring items that make you feel comfortable and at home, provided they are safe and do not disturb other residents or staff. Some common items you can take with you include:
- Clothing
- Toiletries
- Glasses
- Hearing aids and extra batteries
- Walker or cane
- Orthopedic aids
- Personal chair or wheelchair
- Family photos, books, magazines and other fun items
- lants or small flowers
- Etc
What items should I not take with me to the nursing home?
You are not allowed to bring items that are dangerous, flammable or cause a nuisance to other residents or staff. Some of the items that are generally prohibited are:
- Firearms or other weapons
- Drugs or alcohol
- Incendiary or explosive materials
- Pets (excluding permitted service animals)
- Complex medical equipment
- Cash or expensive jewelry
What should I do about medications?
Bring all your medications in their original containers with clear labels. Make a list of all your medications, including their dosages and when to take them.
What should I do about valuables?
You should avoid bringing cash or expensive jewelry to the nursing home. If you must take such items with you, be sure to store them in a safe place such as a safe.