Aging-in-place: Make the home safe for seniors

Business

Most seniors would rather remain in their own homes or move into the homes of their adult children than move into an assisted living facility. Follow these tips to make your home safe for any elderly relatives that will be residing in your home.

An often overlooked concept of aging-in-place is making sure rooms are spacious enough for seniors to navigate with a walker or wheelchair. This may require the simple moving of furniture or may require more extensive renovations.

If your senior loved one spends a good time alone in the house, an intercom system is a good idea. This way, they can respond to visitors at the door without actually having to open it. To keep track of seniors with dementia or Alzheimer's, consider getting monitors or tracking devices.

Furniture should meet several requirements. First, make sure it's secure enough that it won't move if leaned upon. Make sure the armrests offer enough support for a senior to lift themselves on and off the chair. And make sure the chair seat is 20" high, so that seniors don't have to strain themselves getting in and out of a chair.

Not everyone can afford having an elevator installed in their home, so if seniors will be required to navigate stairs, make sure they have even surfaces. Consider adding non-skid tape to stair edges to offer extra traction.

Owner Glenda Hall had a suite in her home designed in anticipation of her parents eventually living there. The in-law suite has an elevator for older relatives who have difficulty climbing stairs.

Working smoke detectors are a must in any home, but they are especially important where seniors live. Make sure it has a bright flashing light and loud noise sensor, so that even seniors with vision or hearing loss will be alerted.

Most seniors will have some form of impaired vision, so providing a proper level of light is essential. 100 to 200 watt bulbs are recommended for activities such as reading or knitting.

Make sure doors don't open or close too quickly. Keep in mind that seniors may move a bit slower, especially if they are using a walker or cane.

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An often overlooked concept of aging-in-place is making sure rooms are spacious enough for seniors to navigate with a walker or wheelchair. This may require the simple moving of furniture or may require more extensive renovations.

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