Savvy Senior: Tips to make a home safer, more accessible as you age
Dear Savvy Senior: What simple tips can you recommend for making a home age-friendly? My husband and I are in our late 60s and want to remain living in our home for as long as possible. — Homebody Hanna
Dear Homebody Hanna: Many older people want to remain in their own home for as long as possible. But being able to do so will depend on how easy it is to maneuver your living space as you get older.
There are dozens of simple adjustments and modifications you can do to help make your home safer and more accessible for aging in place. Here’s a summary of tips from the National Institute on Aging and AARP.
Entranceway
* Have at least one exterior doorway with step-free access. If not possible, consider a ramp.
* Add a bench in the foyer to sit on when removing shoes or to set down items while locking or unlocking the door.
Bathroom
* Install a walk-in shower with a bench and nonskid decals or mats to prevent falls.
* Add a hand-held nozzle to the showerhead to facilitate rinsing off while seated.
* Install grab bars on the shower wall and near the toilet.
* Put in a taller toilet or add a toiler riser.
* Consider plugging in a nightlight.
Bedroom
* If stairs are too difficult to manage, create a bedroom on the main level by transforming a den or an office.
* Make sure the bed is easy to get in and out of. Purchase bed risers, if needed.
* Invest in an adjustable bed for extra comfort.
Kitchen
* Purchase a stove with safety features that alert the resident when a burner is on or have automatic shutoffs.
* Relocate major appliances to make them easier to reach.
* Add slide-out drawers or trays to existing cabinets for better access.
* Install a lever-style, light-touch or sensor faucet, which is easier to use than a faucet with turn-style knobs or handles.
Furniture and rugs
* Get rid of furniture and clutter to make rooms easier to move around in.
* Use chairs with armrests, which makes sitting and standing easier.
* Avoid furniture with sharp corners, which can cause bruises and cuts when bumped up against.
* Hide cords out of pathways — but don’t put them under rugs.
* Area rugs, if used, should be secured to the floor with a nonslip mat or anti-slip rug tape.
For more tips, get a copy of AARP’s “HomeFit Guide” which has more than 100 aging-in-place tips and suggestions.
It explains how a smartly designed or modified home can meet the varied and changing needs of its older residents. It also features easy-to-do, low-cost and no-cost fixes that lessen the risk of trip hazards and increase the safety of high-use areas like the bathroom, kitchen and stairway.
Visit AARP.org/HomeFit to order or download a free copy of this guide, or to watch their videos. You don’t need to be an AARP member to access this content.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org.
