Making Home Safe for Seniors
Many older Americans want to live at home. When we say many, we mean most. An AARP survey found that 3 out of 4 adults age 50 and over want to stay in their homes as they age. There are also a number of social and environmental benefits that come with aging at home. The issue, however, is that most houses in Chattanooga and Nashville were not built with aging in mind.
At Comprehensive Care, we provide a number of services to make it possible for your aging loved one to continue living independently. There are changes that you can make to your home and theirs to make it more accessible and safe.
Widen Doorways
Widening doorways can make it easier to enter with a walker or wheelchair. The AARP says 32 inches should be the “clear width” of a doorway for a wheelchair to easily pass through. If your doorway isn’t exactly this width, they suggest using swing-clear hinges to add additional space. When it comes to height, 80 inches is suggested.
Ramps and Railings
If the home has steps, adding a ramp will make it easier for seniors with walkers, wheelchairs, or balance issues. AssistedLiving.org suggests hiring a contractor to build a ramp because they can help make sure it is the right height. You can also install indoor threshold ramps to make going from room to room easier. There are several threshold options, including rubber and aluminum, to choose from.
Railings are a must. Whether you add a ramp or not, having a railing helps elderly residents keep their balance as they climb stairs.
Showers and Bathtubs
Stepping into a bathtub poses a significant fall risk, particularly because of slippery surfaces. Simply trading your step-in tub for a walk-in can drastically lower the risk of your loved one falling as they enter the tub. You could also exchange the tub for a walk-in shower.
Another option is to keep your existing tub and add a modification that makes entering the tub easier. For example, you could install a safety bar on the wall that your loved one could hold on to as they step in and out of the tub. Bathtub transfer benches and chairs are also options for easy tub access. Transfer benches straddle the tub allowing seniors to sit and lift one leg at a time over. Chairs allow seniors to do the same thing, but they sit inside the tub. To get in, seniors would need to sit on the chair with both legs outside the tub and then lift them over one at a time.
Kitchen Modifications
Lowering kitchen cabinets and countertops makes them more accessible for wheelchairs. Changing door handles for D-shape handles is also recommended for cabinets since they are easy to grasp. When it comes to refrigerators, AARP recommends having a french door refrigerator because it is easier to see and reach inside. Having an additional pull-out door on the fridge will help seniors in wheelchairs easily get what they need.
There are many additional modifications that can be made to homes to make them more accessible for family members as they age. AARP has created a guide to help you as you make decisions.
If you are concerned about your loved one being in their home alone, our team at Comprehensive Care is ready to help. By providing top-quality, non-medical home care services, our caregivers can help monitor your loved one, giving you peace of mind. Contact us today to find a caregiver for your loved one!