Advertisement
Being healthy is the absolute goal of everybody’s life. When dealing with illnesses or traumatic accidents, people get scared and overwhelmed by the situation. Whether you take care of a loved one that suffered an accident or help a chronically ill parent, the home environment prepared for them must be designed to fit their needs. After spending a period in a hospital, they’ll be excited to spend time in a familiar space.
Recovery can be a long and challenging process, so creating a comfortable space for loved ones in need is essential for their healing. Lighting, furniture, colours and nature are elements you should consider when redesigning a room for people who need to recover after a difficult health problem.
The most common medical situations that require recovery are:
Surgeries. They need two types of recovery: right after the operation, provided by the medical staff in the hospital and long-time recovery at home.
Accidents. Accidents are traumatic events, and thousands of people become their victims worldwide. Whether you experience car, workplace or home accidents, they can cause serious injuries that require short or long-term recovery. An example of a long-term strategy is kinesitherapy which helps the muscular system recover after an injury or complex surgeries.
Mental illnesses, such as Dementia, Parkinson and Alzheimer. These diseases are widespread among senior patients, and someone must look after them permanently. They need permanent observation and care because some of these conditions’ symptoms include memory loss, confusion, difficulty in speaking and listening.
Along with these situations or illnesses that can cause severe health problems, people who struggle with them have to cope with stress and anxiety, worsening their condition. If you or your loved one deal with health issues that require extra care and recovery plans, here are some elements to consider when designing your recovery space:
Pay attention to lighting
Lighting is an essential element of everyday life. Natural warm light is a great helper for those who recover from an illness or accident, improving their mood and increasing their vitamin D level. Instead, fluorescent lights can cause eye strain, headaches and even accidents, tending to make the room look cold.
Consider organising the space so that the patient can adapt the amount of light they need. For example, you can choose window coverings that adjust to reduce or increase light’s level. Don’t forget to add a reading lamp by the bed. It is very helpful by night if they need to take medication or can’t sleep.
Spend time with your family
Spending time with family and friends after an accident or dealing with a chronic or severe illness is vital for your loved ones’ mental health and recovery. You can offer them the needed support by empathising and listening to their fears and concerns.
For example, one of the most traumatic experiences for someone who is confronted with health problems is medical negligence. It is a more common problem than many would think, and year by year, thousands of people suffer because of malpractice and negligence. Suppose a member of your family deals with this kind of situation it’s important to inform them about the legal steps they must take. For more information about medical negligence and how to claim compensations, you can access https://www.medicalnegligencelaw.org.uk/.
Create a relaxing space
When creating a place to live for someone who goes through a difficult passage in life, consider setting a place where they can relax and spend time with other family members. Here are some ideas that may inspire you:
Create a reading space. Reading is an excellent activity for those who struggle because it helps you escape reality for some time and sets free your imagination. It may be very beneficial to read books or magazines and take their mind off the problems even if it is just for a short time.
Install a TV and a radio. Recovery can isolate people from the outside world for a time, so it’s essential to have some media elements, such as TVs and radios, that help them keep in touch with what happens around the world. Besides, they can listen to music, which is a helpful tool for those who struggle. You can opt for a PlayStation or Xbox for children.
Choose some beautiful and comfortable armchairs or sofas. These furniture elements can gather all the family around who recovers, providing them with a comfortable and cosy setting.
Add natural elements
Spending time in nature is a great technique for dealing with illnesses and injuries. For example, a 40-minutes walk in a park or forest decreases cortisol level, the hormone responsible for stress, boosting immunity and stabilising blood pressure. But even if nature has lots of advantages to offer, many recovery processes usually require inside-the-home care. In this kind of situation, it’s important to bring nature close to the one in need.
You can add natural elements all over the house and in the space where the ill or injured one spends the most time. There are many options of decorations, paintings, plants and even sounds, such as rain, that can improve your loved one’s mental state. Also, if your house design allows it, position the bed so that the patient can have an outside view.
Choose the right furniture
Furniture is an essential element when you take care of someone who needs to recover after a severe illness or accident. Besides functionality, you have to consider its material, texture and colours. For a calming effect, choose warm-looking wood, soft and coloured bedding, and avoid metal furniture and white as a dominant colour because you want to create a warm atmosphere, not an antiseptic one.
Bedside chairs are important for communication and keeping in contact with loved ones. They are helpful, especially for people who suffer from illnesses or injuries that don’t allow them to move or leave the bad. To facilitate eye contact, make sure that chairs match the height of the bed.
Another essential aspect of taking care of a convalescent loved one is medicine and medical equipment storage. Choose to store them in a wooden cabinet or closet without displaying them, for avoiding the hospital setting.
Recovery may be a difficult and exhausting process, but being close to loved ones and spending time in a familiar environment can help people maintain a healthy mental state and fight for a faster recovery. If you have to take care of someone in need, follow the abovementioned steps and make their recovery process more enjoyable.