Senior Spotlight: 8 Small Home Upgrades That Make A Big Aging Impact
AARP reveals 8 simple home upgrades that can support aging in place.
Not every home is built to be a lifelong home, but any home can benefit from safety improvements to help seniors live longer and better in their own surroundings. A read published in AARP earlier this year states that “It doesn’t always take a big home addition, a sizable financial investment, or an overhaul of the way you live to ensure that you can stay in your home as you age. But that doesn’t mean people know which smaller upgrades to tackle.”
While we all think of stair safety as one element of aging in place, there are many others to consider. We have listed 8 home upgrade considerations for seniors below, and highly encourage you to read ‘8 Small Home Upgrades With Big Impact for Aging’ in full.
Small Changes, Big Safety Potential
#1: Change out doorknobs for lever handles – for both cabinets and interior and exterior doors. (Arthritic impacted hands will thank you!).
#2: Manage all the stuff! Declutter to minimize tripping hazards and create dedicated storage spaces for items that you access regularly (like the grandkids toys). BONUS tip: keep reading glasses in each room so you don’t have to go hunting for them several times per day.
#3: Say ‘sayonara’ to small rugs. Small rugs can cause a slip and slide effect, select a large, low pile area rug that is anchored instead. Also be aware of transitions among flooring and uneven walkways.
#4: Let all the light shine bright. With changes in eyesight and balance, being able to see is crucial to not only fall prevention, but task completion. Check how bright the bulbs can be in your existing fixtures, consider adding additional lighting in the kitchen, bedroom and entryways and exits, and don’t forget to ensure that switches are within reach for wheelchair access if mobility is becoming a challenge.
#5: Get a video doorbell. Knowing who is at the door can save you time from rushing to get there, enable you to speak with who is outside and serve as a security benefit.
#6: Make sure banisters and railings stand out. Interior designers recommend painting handrails in contrasting colors so they are easy to see. Ensure that shower grab bars are professionally installed and anchored (tile stick ons do NOT count).
#7: Assess your bathroom for ease of access: curbless showers (no stepping up), wheelchair access, shower seats and bathtub benches… creating a safer bathing space may involve one or more focus points.
#8: Check your chairs. An often-overlooked safety feature is – chairs! Are your dining chairs stable? Are all of your seats steady? How many of your household chairs have arms to help you stand? Experts also advise to steer clear of swivel styles with age.
While we have covered in-home safety suggestions before, what we love about this list as this almost every idea is affordable and attainable in a short period of time – no major investment required.
Did any of these ideas spark an idea that could help an aging loved one? Or improve your own quality of life? Let us know!
All my best,
Bobbi
Bobbi Decker
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Broker Associate
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www.bobbidecker.com
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