With the golden agers, baby boomers are right around the corner in adding to this older population. Baby boomers statistically range from the birth years 1946 until 1964. The highest birth rate year recorded during that time was 1957, with an estimated 4.3 million babies born here in the U.S.
Now there are more than 77 million baby boomers that are about to enter, or have entered, the age of retirement. And within the next decade, many folks in these combined generations will begin to feel the effects of aging on their health.
The great news is that companies are now taking notice of the need for increased home safety and comfort as folks age and still want to stay in their homes. Entire lines of bathroom fixtures are now available that are designed to make the bathroom a much safer place, but without losing any of the style these savvy homeowners still desire. And many of these upgrades are very easy for the homeowner to install themselves.
How To Make Your Home Safer For Aging in Place
Whether you’re a senior aging in place or a homeowner helping to care for an aging family member, home safety is a crucial consideration. Thankfully, preparing your home for aging doesn’t require a costly renovation. There are a number of small changes you can make to ensure you home is safe for yourself or for family members who choose to age at home.
Here’s a room-by-room list of inexpensive ways to make your home safer and more comfortable.
Outside Your Home
Be sure that any exterior stairs have secure handrails and, if possible, a generous landing to negotiate getting in and out of the door. Move flowerpots or other items that may be blocking the entryway. If you’re handy with outdoor projects, consider getting rid of steps to the front door altogether. Instead, create a landscaped entryway that gently inclines toward the front door.
Clear walkways of debris and consider installing motion lights. Falls are a common hazard with seniors, and they are even more likely when visibility is limited.
For a Senior’s Bedroom
If you can convert a ground-floor space or dining room into a guest area or bedroom for a senior, that’s an ideal location, as stairs can be a risk. If a senior does need to travel upstairs, make sure plastic stair treads are securely applied and that there are secure handrails on both sides of the stairwell.
In the bedroom itself, adjust the height of the bed so that seniors can get in and out with ease. If the bed is too high, use a lower-profile box spring or steel bed frame. If it’s too low, inexpensive bed lifts can be installed. Mattress brand Saatva also offers a lineal adjustable bed with under-bed lighting, which can help those with limited mobility get in and out of bed safely and easily.
Next to the bed, keep a telephone within easy reach in case of emergencies (preferably one with large, easy-to-read buttons). It’s also helpful to use a voice or clap-activated bedside lamp. This reduces the chance of a senior falling out of bed when reaching for the light switch.
In the Bathroom
The bathroom can be one of the most hazardous rooms for people who are aging in place. Follow the steps in the bullet points below to create a safer environment.
- Comfort Height Toilets: These toilets are 17” high from the floor with the added seat, instead of the standard 15” finished height. This makes sitting and standing much easier.
- Grab Bars: Installing grab bars in the tub area and toilet area of your bathroom have never looked so fashionable! Grab bars no longer look like they were plucked from a hospital wall but are designed to be integrated into the overall format of the room. Towel racks and toilet tissue holders are available that do double duty as disguised grab bars. And they come in many different styles and finishes to match the look of the room. Watch How to Install Grab Bars to find out more.
- Shower Seats: It’s a good idea to install a shower seat. Even if a senior chooses not to use the seat when showering, it’s important to have one there in case they start to feel weak and need to sit down quickly.
- Faucets: Lever handle on faucets have become very popular with aging in place homeowners. As we age, our hand strength weakens, but that doesn’t mean we have to suffer! Replacing a knob handle faucet with a lever handle allows you to push the water on without having to grip the handle to do it.
- Low Profile Tubs: Lower profile tubs now make it easier to step in and out of the tub, thus reducing the chances of tripping and falling. Another option would be installing tubs that are designed for sitting and then lounging as the sidewall rises after you are comfortably inside the tub.
- Lighting: Make sure there is adequate lighting in the bathroom area. Overhead lighting is typically not enough to give enough illumination to the bathroom. Adding lighting sconces around the sink area, as well as the shower/tub and toilet areas will provide much-needed light and add style to the room.
- Trip Hazards: Relocating or removing obstacles on the floor will greatly reduce the chance of an accident occurring. Things like trash cans, towel racks, or magazine racks should be cleared away from footpaths in the bathroom.
- Shower Mats: Avoid slips and falls by using non-skid decals or a flat rubber mat in the shower. On the bathroom floor, use bath mats with rubber adhesive that won’t move around easily. Never leave towels on the floor. Remove mats that do not have a slip resistant rubber bottoms to prevent tripping.
- Adjust the Water Heater: For seniors with impaired senses or limited mobility, water temperature can be a major hazard. Adjust your hot water heater to make sure that the temperature doesn’t exceed 100℉ or 39℃. You can also purchase a bath thermometer to check the water before a senior steps into the bath.
In the Kitchen
Forgetfulness or dementia can be especially dangerous in the kitchen, where a pot left untended or an oven left on can lead to a fire. Appliances and timers with sensory reminders— like a whistling tea kettle and kitchen timers with both sound and lights—are must-haves for seniors aging in place.
Keep frequently used items within easy reach. This is important throughout the house, but especially in the kitchen, where reaching for objects in high cabinets could lead to falls.
What Else Can I Do To Make My House Ready for Aging in Place?
- Installing automatic or voice-activated lights in every room is an affordable way to help compensate for limited vision.
- Consider getting rid of all throw rugs, which are common culprits in falls among the elderly, and can help with aging in place.
- Do a walkthrough to evaluate ease of access to doors, entryways, and windows. If furniture, throw rugs, or other items are blocking access, rearrange the furniture in a more senior-friendly flow.
- Switch from round door knobs to lever handles on doors and cabinets. These make it easier for seniors to open and close doors, especially if arthritis is an issue.
- Finally, don’t underestimate the magic of tidying up! Decluttering is the easiest and cheapest way to help seniors avoid a fall or injury.
