In the course of our home renovation projects we often spend time with “family caregivers” who are providing assistance to a loved one with a physical or cognitive disability. Family caregivers are utilized for a wide range of individuals ranging from a parent who has dementia to a child with autism. For many families the support care process can be a rich and rewarding experience. However, it is not uncommon for us to meet caregivers who are physically exhausted from these responsibilities. In our encounters we’ve met a mother who slept on the floor outside her autistic child’s bedroom to keep the child from attempting to leave the house in the middle of the night. We have met numerous baby boomers with chronic back problems originating from helping a physically disabled parent transfer from their bed to wheelchair.
Both examples mentioned above have solutions. The mother now gets to sleep in her own bed because door sensors were installed in her home. When activated, these sensors set off an alarm on her cell phone alerting her immediately wherever she may be. Portable lift systems have enabled seniors to be safely transferred from bed to seating without overwhelming a care giver. In addition, a senior with dementia can be readily watched over remotely by a relative carrying a pocket sized video signal receiver. Most of these solutions are easy to install at minimal cost, but continuously are not considered by caregivers caught up in the stress of day-to-day work.
Creative Renovations has always asked the “How can we help?” question when working with a customer needing accessibility renovations. Over the years we have learned that we can also support our customer by asking family caregivers the same question. In the end both the client and their families benefit and often it makes it possible for the client to remain in their own home.
Patrick Rafter, CEO
Creative Housing|Creative Renovations has been a pioneer in providing custom accessible home renovations throughout Central Ohio since 1992.