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How older adults and their caregivers can get the family home ready to safeguard Mom and Dad for years to come
By Best Buy Health
Home is where the heart is.
And unsurprisingly, that's where the vast majority of older adults in the United States want to remain as they grow older. AARP has reported that a majority (75 percent) of older Americans say they want to remain in their homes as they age. And why not? Researchers at Harvard point out that older Americans enjoy the highest rate of home ownership (around 80 percent) of all the generations.
But at the same time, the homes in which older adults plan to age in place are not currently equipped to handle the challenges, making aging in place home modifications essential.
Top Five Aging in Place Home Modifications
The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard researches home accessibility and safety for aging in place, among other critical housing issues in the United States, and considers five accessibility and safety modifications important and appropriate for a home for aging in place:
Entryways with no steps
Single-floor living
Doorways and hallways wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs
Lever-style door handles rather than knobs
Light switches and electrical outlets within reach from a wheelchair
The Center has concluded that only one percent of American homes currently meet all five criteria.
So how can older adults and their caregivers get the family home ready to safeguard Mom and Dad in the years to come?
Clear the Path
First, declutter. Evaluate walking paths into and throughout the home, removing unnecessary furniture and trip hazards, unsecured throw rugs, power cords, boxes, stacks of books — anything that could cause trips or falls.
Smooth the way. Remove, repair or replace any bumps, lumps, saddles, transitions, breaks, cracks, holes and other trip hazards in the home's sidewalks, garage floors, patio areas, indoor/outdoor transitions, doorways and flooring. Consider replacing multiple types of flooring indoors with a single uniform type of nonskid flooring to minimize both visual and physical transitions (and associated trip hazards) between rooms.
Install ramps and/or assistive lift technology. Ramps, elevators and chair lifts should be installed before they are needed, not after a crisis.
Visual Assistance
Upgrade lighting and add more light. As we age, we need more light to see, and we need it everywhere, from the most frequently used rooms to hallways and transition areas. Darkness is dangerous. A combination light, or "layering light," helps in every room. Sconces, overhead lighting, track lighting, light valences, portable lamps and recessed lights are all important parts of a well-designed lighting plan for aging in place home modification.
Who's at the door? The original front door peephole may be too high for an older adult in a wheelchair; that's no problem if it's been lowered. Or take advantage of smart home technology and use a high-tech alarm that connects to a smartphone to show exactly who's out there in real time before you get up.
Kitchen and Bath Modifications
Unsurprisingly, the most hazardous parts of the home for aging in place are those where water, heat, standing, stooping, stretching and electricity mix. Home modification for people who plan to age in place frequently begins with kitchens and baths.
Lower counters, sinks, countertop appliances and light switches for easier accessibility
Remove traditional bathtubs; replace them with walk-in showers or walk-in bathtubs
If tub removal is not within budget, add a bath transfer bench, which makes getting into and out of the tub easier and safer
Install grab bars in showers and near bathtubs
Add no-slip strips to bathtub and shower floors, and work with a contractor to select flooring material for the kitchen and bath that is the most slip-resistant when wet
Get Expert Help
Older adults and their families need not face the task of aging in place remodeling and the complicated requirements of modifying a home. There are resources to help families in the planning stages begin the process of planning and evaluating hidden hazards, pitfalls, safety issues and accessibility barriers in older homes.
Professionals such as occupational therapists and Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists are certified and trained in evaluating and recommending aging in place remodeling. They can work with families to transform an existing family home (or even a newly purchased single-floor home) into a safe, accessible, comfortable and convenient place that allows for continuing to live independently in one's community.
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