11 Modifications to Consider For Elderly Home Safety

Do you have an elderly relative coming for a visit? Or perhaps you are trying to help someone transition back to their home after a hospital stay?  The most important modifications to consider are those that will prevent falls or other accidents, and those that will keep seniors safe in the event of fire. Below are some simple, affordable options to consider to make your home or their home more safe.

1.  For the bathroom, invest in a portable raised toilet seat with arms. 

2.  Install a hand held shower nozzle over the tub faucet, or replace the existing shower head with a hand held variety to blend with your bath's decor.

3.  Install grab bars.  Grab bars usually come to mind for bathrooms and can be hung vertically or horizontally.  They don't have to be institutional in style.  See the great looking one from Great Grabz below.  There also is hardware available to install bars when there are no wall studs present.  Consider grab bars near a senior's bed or favorite chair as well.  Grab bars come in all variety of finishes and materials, even teak or glow-in-the-dark acrylic.

Great Grabz 24" Horizon Bar

4.  Place a telephone and flashlight by the bed.

5.  Remove unnecessary throw rugs and ensure any area rugs lay flat.

6.  Ensure railings and steps are in good repair to prevent trips and falls.

7. Use color to help seniors see edges and transitions.  Put contrasting colored tape on the edge of stair steps and/or counters to make edges easier to see.

8. Eliminate stairs altogether by installing stairway ramps.  Consider renting or purchasing a temporary ramp, or have something more permanent built that will blend with a home's decor. 

9. Change single-light fixtures to multiple-light fixtures.  This way, if one light bulb goes out, there is still light to see.

10.  Install motion sensor and/or timed lighting near exterior entries.

11.  If hearing is an issue, install smoke/carbon monoxide detectors with strobe lights such as offered by Spectronics.

Obviously modifications can be as temporary or permanent as necessary for your situation.  I always reassure my clients that we can make seniors safe on a very limited budget if necessary, but it's worth considering investing in options that will be stylish and functional too. 

How To Age In Your Space

News Flash! We are all getting older, but, as many say, it is better than the alternative. Rather than throw up our hands and let life happen to us, though, we can take actions now that will improve the quality of our lives or the lives of our loved ones into the years to come. I've been in the home remodeling business for almost 40 years, and requests to modify or build spaces for elderly occupants are becoming more and more commonplace.

According to a recent study by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), nearly 80 percent of Baby Boomers surveyed plan to stay in their homes to "age in place", which means they need safe, accessible and comfortable homes where they can live independently.

There's a lot to consider when trying to modify or remodel a space for you or your family members.  Are your needs temporary or long-term? Are your primary concerns accessibility and safety? How important is it that your changes coordinate with the overall decor and style or your home?  Also consider that needs may vary among different occupants and are likely to change over time.  Individuals with seemingly similar issues might need totally different solutions today or in the future.

In order to determine what adaptations are needed to make your home ready for independent living as you or your family members age, evaluate your living space to determine what can and can not be implemented.  Older homes with narrow doorways and hallways, homes with lots of level changes, or homes with very small baths can present special challenges.

Prioritize your needs, develop a strategy, and seek out professionals who can help you make it happen on your budget. Working with a  National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist designation (CAPS) can be one place to start.