Tips for Renovating a Home for Aging in Place

If your family isn’t dealing with the challenges of a family member’s aging needs now, chances are you will be soon. With the number of old projected to outnumber the young by the year 2020 for the first time in history, taking care of the elderly (if only our own elderly selves) is something most of us will be faced with. Nearly 90% of seniors say they want to live at home for as long as possible, so making your home accessible now is in your best interest.  With that in mind, we'd like to offer 8 quick tips to accommodate aging at home...

1) Install grab bars in the shower. All bathrooms can benefit from the added security a grab bar provides. Be wary of the suction type when attaching to tile.  The tiles don't always provide a secure anchor point, and can pull from the wall!!!
2) Install a shower seat.  A foldable shower seat can give a needed rest, and can be stowed away when not in use.
3) Replace doorknobs with lever handles. Lever handles are much easier to operate than traditional doorknobs for those with arthritis and other hand ailments.
4) Replace traditional light switches with rocker or touch switches. As with doorknobs, a traditional toggle switch can be too small to handle, or even too small to see. A rocker or touch style is much simpler to operate.
5) Use easy-to-operate hardware for windows. Everyone needs fresh air once in a while, but some windows are harder to open than others. You may want to research the pros and cons of different window hardware options.
6) Install recessed lighting that illuminates cabinets and countertops. Installing task lighting to brighten workspaces in kitchens, laundry rooms and closets is a great way to improve living spaces for elders.
7) Install lever handles for sink faucets. Lever handles on sink faucets make them easier to operate for all users.
8) Install sensor lighting at each entry. This is a good safety feature for any house, but can especially help older occupants with impaired nighttime vision feel secure at home.

Most all of the above products can be found in local home-improvement stores.  And if you're not up to doing it yourself, ask the store if they have contractors that can help.

Bringing useful news to educate our clients is one more way that Home Helpers has been making life easier for over a decade.  Call us today at 704-909-7958.  And as always, you can find us on our website,  Facebook and Google+!