Consumer Advice: How to age-proof your home
Courtesy of Amedisys Inc.
Mike Trigilio is president of the personal care division at Amedisys Inc., a national leader in home health and hospice with operations in Massachusetts.
As people grow older, they may find themselves living in homes that no longer feel safe. The simple movements from room to room once taken for granted may gradually become alarming risks.
Your home may become hazardous to your health as your motor skills and mobility diminish with age. Before you know it, the landing to the living room may seem higher, the steps from the first floor to the second steeper, the bathtub more slippery underfoot and routine room-to-room transitions, especially at night, suddenly tricky.
Statistics show that older adults are more prone to accidents in the home, most notably falls. More than one in three people age 65 years or older falls each year, according to research published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Such falls can result in serious injuries such as fractures and head injuries.
More Americans now prefer to remain in their homes longer than ever, maintaining their independence and aging in place.
Luckily, the dangers the elderly face staying at home can be minimized or prevented with some simple changes. Your house or apartment can be age-proofed, giving you the freedom you need to move around your home without worrying about your next step.
You can take these precautions yourself, or your adult children, other family members and caregivers may lend a hand by planning changes with you.
Should you choose to age-proof your home on your own, you can begin by removing objects on the floor that could cause you to trip or slip – throw rugs, phone cords, pet bowls and the like. Arrange furniture to give yourself enough room to move about freely. Place rubber mats or non-slip strips on floors and steps, as well as at the base of your bathtub or shower. Move items in kitchen cabinets to either lower or higher shelves to eliminate the need for strenuous bending, reaching and climbing. Clear away clutter.
You can take other steps as well, such as making sure all the rooms in your home have adequate lighting, especially near entrances. Use the brightest, highest wattage light bulbs recommended for a given fixture. Install handrails on both sides of your stairs and outdoor walkways. Securely attach grab bars to the walls in your tub and shower, and next to the toilet. Keep often-used everyday items – such as dishes and clothing – within easy reach.
When to call a professional
Some of these changes may require help from a professional. There are contractors who are certified specialists in adapting homes to enable residents to stay as long as possible. A few examples of changes that a contractor may assist with are widening doorways, covering thresholds with gentle ramps, creating multi-level kitchen counters or perhaps putting light switches and electrical outlets within easier reach.
As you age you may find that normal household tasks take more and more energy. If you’re finding it hard to keep up, personal care attendants can assist with the day-to-day tasks such as laundry, shopping, housekeeping, and handyman services.
Personal care attendants are also able to assist with daily living activities, such as dressing, bathing, and meal preparation. You can hire help, with availability ranging from just a few hours a day to live-in care.
Your best source for valuable insight into age-proofing your home is your family physician and other healthcare professionals. Another source for information is your local Aging Services Access Points (ASAP). ASAPs are private, nonprofit agencies with governing boards that are at least 51 percent people age 60 or older and appointed by the local Councils on Aging. Nurses and occupational and physical therapists, can visit you where you live. After a walk-through, they can then deliver on-site expertise in person.
Old age can be a challenge to navigate. Why should your home be, too?
Mike Trigilio is president of the personal care division at Amedisys Inc., a national leader in home health
and hospice with operations in Massachusetts.
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