Aging in Place: Home
Modifications for Senior Accessibility
Image courtesy of Pixabay.com
According to AARP, the vast majority of
elderly Americans are intent on remaining in their homes and
statistics bear that out: 90 percent of them have a plan for aging
in place. While many may eventually require some form
of assisted living or residence in a care facility, older adults can
remain and thrive in their homes with a few accessibility
modifications that can help eliminate the potential for falls and
other injuries. In addition to safety, such modifications can add
comfort and convenience and make activities of daily living easier to
perform for seniors who may struggle with activities that once came
easily to them.
Doorways
If you or a loved one has need for a
wheelchair, it’s important for their accessibility to ensure that
doorways
and hallways are wide enough to allow for easy passage
and maneuverability. It can be an expensive and time-consuming
proposition and requires the involvement of a contractor in many such
cases. Entryways should be from 32 to 36 inches wide with hallways at
least 36 inches across so a wheelchair can be turned around.
Ramps
Threshold
ramps can be very helpful in transitional areas where
flooring surfaces are not even. They’re usually made of rubber and
are easily adjustable to the height of the step or door jamb to be
negotiated. Licensed contractors are trained in how to install
threshold ramps to the correct height. An exterior wheelchair ramp
may also be necessary for ready and convenient access to a home’s
front door entryway.
Bathroom and toilet modifications
The bathroom
is the site of most in-home accidents and should be carefully
modified for a senior with mobility challenges to age in place
safely. Bathing and toileting can be major problems for an elderly
individual who has trouble getting around. To make bathing easier, a
bathtub can be replaced with a walk-in or roll-in
shower, which is considerably safer than a
conventional bathtub. In some cases, a bathtub can be made safer for
an elderly individual with grab rails and safety strips that prevent
falls. Some seniors find a bathtub transfer bench preferable because
it’s an inexpensive modification. It straddles the side of the
bathtub, allowing the individual to be seated while lifting each leg,
one at a time, over the side of the tub. Another option is to install
a chair, which sits completely inside the tub. The toilet bowl should
be from 17 to 19 inches off the floor for safe transfer from a
wheelchair, with grab rails installed alongside for safety.
Kitchen upgrades
Convenience and mobility can be a
problem for aging seniors in the kitchen. Appliances may become
difficult to reach and use and countertops
and cabinets may be too high to reach, especially for
someone in a wheelchair. Counter and cabinet heights can be adjusted
by a contractor (many are experienced at making senior-accessible
modifications), as well as the height of the sink. The microwave and
other appliances may also need to be repositioned for ease of use.
Fall prevention
Falls are a major concern for seniors
living at home. Six of 10 falls take place in the home and more than
a third of seniors over 65 fall every year, so fall
prevention is a major aging-in-place. Improved
lighting, grab rails, and slip-proof mats are some of the most common
means of preventing falls throughout the home.
Technology and a thorough knowledge of
what causes safety problems in the home are making it easier than
ever for elderly individuals to age in place. Fortunately, many of
the modifications that need to be made can be done inexpensively and
without gutting the home. As long as an elderly individual’s
comfort, convenience and, above all, safety are accounted for, aging
in place is a possibility for many seniors.
Lydia
Chan
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