Aging in Place

Whether for yourself or for an aging or mobility challenged family member, the ability for an individual to remain living in the home where they are comfortable, with familiar items surrounding them and neighborhood acquaintances near, creates a positive environment and can actually play a role in lengthening ones life because of decreased stress.

There are many helpful changes and updates available which can be done in a home to improve and accommodate the aging process without forcing an individual to suffer the upheaval created when they are forced to move to another property or even give up their independent lifestyle for an assisted living facility.

As we age, our ability to travel up and down stairs can become more difficult. Instead of moving into a new single level home, remain in the familiar surroundings you enjoy and consider the addition of a residential elevator to make the daily household trips easier. These home elevators are quiet and use limited space, offering convenient and safe transport between floors. These free-standing elevators offer quick transport between floors and see through visibility as they slide up and down.

Maybe update the bathroom with an open concept or curbless modular shower, eliminating the need to step over the bathtubs edge to take a shower. If an individual prefers baths to showers, there are different styles of walk-in bathtubs which eliminate the need to step over the side of a regular bathtub. The walk-in bathtubs is equipped with a door which opens and closes on from either the front or side of the bathtub. Walk-in bathtubs can include a variety of features, including adjustable bubble jets, handrails, adjustable shower heads, fast draining capabilities and seating inside the bathtub. 

Not ready for large changes? Here are some simple changes which will make home living easier and safer at any age. 

Consider replacing all the interior doorknobs with lever-style openers instead. A simple press down and the light push will open the door and give entry.

Add a sturdy handrail along the stairs, giving an extra support rail to anyone going up or down the the staircase.

For the bathroom, install strong grab bars in the bath and/or shower, providing support to anyone getting in or out of the space. Changing to single-handled faucets can made turning water on and off along with adjusting the temperature a simple push/pull operation. Even the toilet can be upgraded to a more comfortable height. The current popular ‘comfort height’ toilet is 16 1/8” floor to rim. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the height for a toilet must 17”-19” floor to bowl rim height, including the seat.

In the kitchen, upgrade the cabinets by adding rollout shelves and improve the counter work spaces with better under cabinet lighting.

Aging in place can be done without breaking the bank. As mentioned here, there are many ways an individual might enhance the home they currently live in so they can continue to enjoy the comfortable surroundings they love.