Adapting Homes for Senior Safety and Comfort

The CDC reports falls being the number one cause of injury for adults 65 years and older. Over 14 million seniors report falling each year.

Despite the risks, many people decide to age in place. These individuals don't want to leave their homes; they're used to their surroundings.

That said, senior safety must be a priority. Older adults' homes are often not built to accommodate comfortable living for seniors, but what can you do to change this?

The article below has two goals. The first is to explain why many seniors want to age in place, and the second is to advise on providing safe environments for seniors. Read on for elderly safety and home tips.

Why Do Many Seniors Want to Age in Place?

Let's explain the concept of aging in place before establishing the "why" of what makes seniors want to do it. Aging in place is when older adults live out their senior years in their homes and communities.

For example, your grandmother who lives alone a block away is aging in place. She's staying in her home because she doesn't want to leave the house where she and your grandfather raised you.

Now that you know what aging in place is, let's get to the possible motives. We've established that many people don't want to give up their familiar surroundings. Other motives include:

• Wanting to stay near family and loved ones
  • Cheaper assisted living accommodations may be out-of-state
• Aging in place is often cheaper than assisted living
  • This is true regardless of location
  • Out-of-state communities may still cost more than living at home
• Not wanting to give up their possessions
  • Residents have limited space in assisted living apartments
• Aging in place means you can keep your home
  • People moving to assisted living often sell their homes
  • They may sell to remove the expense of keeping a house
  • Selling the home could help pay for assisted living
  • Keeping the home means it can be passed to relatives

Adapting Homes for Senior Safety

Less than 4% of U.S. homes have no-step entries, single-floor living, and doors and hallways wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs. This is largely a systemic issue, but there are things you can do to help.

We'll begin with exterior modifications, such as widening walkways for mobility aids like walkers and wheelchairs. Adding wheelchair ramps (if needed) will make entry and exit more seamless.

Adding a no-step entry will help prevent trips and falls, and streamline wheelchair ingress and egress. Adding wider doors and changing knobs to levers makes access easier for those with mobility and grip issues.

While slippery, concrete paths are a hazard even for the young and healthy, they're even more hazardous for older adults. Non-slip and textured surfaces reduce slips, falls, and associated health complications.

Other safety and security aids include:

• Adding bright outdoor lights for greater visibility
  • Motion-activated lights will enhance security and functionality
• Adding railings to aid with balance and prevent falls

Interior Senior Home Modifications

Adjusting countertops so they are wheelchair accessible allows seniors to cook while seated. Lever-style handles on doors and appliances make them easier to open.

Pull-out shelves are useful home adaptations for aging adults. They offer more storage than typical cabinets, which makes utensils and other items more accessible.

Replacing old appliances with user-friendly controls and easy-to-read displays, lever handles will make them easier to open. Put small appliances like coffee makers and microwaves at counter height.

Consider automatic shut-off and temperature control features to lower fire risks. Most issues in the bathroom involve water, slipping, and stability. Here's how you can mitigate or improve in these areas:

• Install anti-slip floor coatings to prevent slips and falls
• Consider converting to a walk-in tub or shower
• Replace the old shower head with a removable, adjustable one
  • This lowers the chances of injury in the shower
• Add brighter lights for better illumination
• Add grab bars in showers and beside toilets as stability aids
• Raise the toilet seat so using the bathroom is less strenuous

Other Internal Modifications for Comfortable Living

Many seniors aging in place probably prefer doing their laundry. Installing a front-loading washer and dryer improves senior safety while washing clothes because it makes moving items easier between appliances.

Easy-to-reach shelving and pull-out storage make reaching detergent, fabric softener, and other items less of a hassle. Adjustable height countertops reduce standing so seniors can fold clothing without strain.

Rolling carts with storage are a great idea for smaller laundry rooms. Items older adults can't store in the laundry room can be wheeled in and out with little trouble.

Ideally, your loved one will have a single-level home. If not, you may want to invest in a stair lift so they can reliably access their entire house. Find lift chairs that make raising from seated positions easier.

Some furniture may need replacing with more sturdy, ergonomic (to reduce aches and pain), and easy-to-clean pieces. All should have non-slip material added to the legs so they stay secure.

Flooring should be as slip-resistant as possible, carpet is a good choice. It's warm and has plenty of traction but requires more maintenance to keep clean.

Bolt-down aluminum plates are anti-slip and work well with walkers or wheelchairs. Area rugs should be avoided.

They're notoriously bad at staying in place and bunch up easily, both increasing the risk of tripping and falling.

Creating Safe Environments for Seniors

Senior home modifications are vital to older adults wanting to age in place; taking precautions allows them to live in the comfort of their own homes. However, the house may need many changes to ensure senior safety.

Still, widening doorways and installing slip-proof flooring may be worth it for your loved one's happiness.

Of course, Addington Place of Mount Pleasant is here for those who want assisted living. Some seniors don't want to deal with home modifications and ongoing upkeep -- and that's okay. Our apartments already have all the features your loved one requires to stay safe.

We offer housekeeping, medication management, and aid with ADLs for those who need it. Contact us to schedule a tour of our community in Mt. Pleasant, IA, or to discuss our military discount for new residents.