How to Modify Your Home for Ease and Safety During Your Golden Years
Start At The Main Entry
The main entry to the house is not always the front door. The main entry may be the side or rear door closest to the driveway/garage. Although it’s helpful to make all entries to the house elder-safe, if your budget is limited, then focus on the most used entry.
The area between the driveway (or garage) and the entry should be step-less. A ramp can be used or a gradual incline can be created. Ramps or landscaped inclines not only make entry with a wheelchair or walker/rollator easier, the flat service of a ramp is easier to climb than steps. Handrails should be sturdy and comfortable for the person who may rely heavily on the rails for support. The door should be wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair or walker/rollator. The entry way should be well-lit, preferably with lights that come on when motion is detected. That way, the homeowner can ensure a lighted pathway when they come home in the evening hour without having to remember to turn the light on before they leave home.
Bathroom
Adding grab bars by the toilet and in the shower (tub) is paramount. Replacing the standard toilet with an elevated toilet can help those who have difficulty rising from a seated position. Consider those who may be in a wheelchair and install a lower bathroom sink where they can roll the chair slightly underneath the sink to reach the faucets. And speaking of faucets, replace twist handles with lever-handled faucets.
Revamp the shower area for the wheelchair-bound or those using a walker/rollator for easy access into the shower. Install multiple shower heads at different levels.
Storage for bathroom necessities should be reachable from a seated position. Use that as a guideline even for someone not wheelchair-bound because some elderly will face difficulties reaching up. Use rugs in the bath that have coated backs to prevent slipping.
Kitchen
Create a workstation with chair to facilitate food preparation or computer access. The kitchen sink and stove top at a lower height is beneficial for the wheelchair-bound. Raising the level of the dishwasher can ease the chore of filling and emptying the dishwasher with less bending.
Throughout The House
You or the elderly person for whom you are caring may never need a wheelchair, but odds are, some form of assisted support, like a walker/rollator (see picture) will be needed. Borrow or rent a wheelchair or walker/rollator to see how easy (or difficult) it is to maneuver around the house. Reposition furniture for the best flow. Remove or secure throw rugs. Add remote control lighting for lamps, which might be the “clap-on” control or a control at the base of the lamp. Open and close interior and exterior doors to see that they function smoothly; repair or replace doors that require excessive pull/thrust to open/close. Do the same with windows, making sure they open and close easily.
Closet space needs to accommodate a wheelchair or walker/rollator. The clothes hanging pole should be lowered, or at least make available a pole device to reach items in each closet and kitchen pantry.
These improvements, which may increase the value of the house, would not need to be made all at the same time; some may not need to be made at all.
