Issue: Aging in-place
Structural Considerations
As people age, they begin thinking about whether to age in place or move to a different residential setting. In addition to personal preferences, two main issues drive the ultimate decision – physical/medical condition and financial resources. Most people would prefer to stay in their current home or move to another more accessible private home. Sometimes, it is possible and preferable to remain in the current house with modifications. This article will discuss some of the physical/structural issues and modifications often necessary to prepare a home for safe aging in-place.
Bathrooms can often be made accessible by widening doors for wheelchairs or walkers and by installing floor drains that are level and removing step downs or bump ups that are commonplace for draining water from shower areas. Benches can be installed to permit easy sliding in and out of the shower and on and off toilets. Grab bars can provide enhanced safety and stability when entering the shower area and getting on and off toilets. Bathroom flooring should be evaluated to ensure that it does not get excessively slippery when wet.
In homes that are not single level, often there is a bedroom or a room that could be converted into a bedroom that will accommodate an inability to climb stairs. While stair climbing is good cardiovascular exercise, stairs present fall hazards. Medical conditions like arthritis can make negotiating stairs painful and difficult. Depending on structural challenges and finances, installing a small elevator or stair chair may be a viable option.
General home safety concerns like slippery tile floors also need to be considered and remediated. Area rugs often present a particular fall hazard as they can move when stepped on and their edges present a significant trip hazard.
To avoid using ladders, the heights of shelves, hard-to-reach cupboards should be modified to put frequently used items in easy and safe reach.
Special attention needs to be paid to enhancing home security both inside and outside of the home. In the event one of the home’s residents has dementia or impaired cognition, simple things such as stoves and ovens can present life threatening hazards and may require removal or locking.
These are a few of the issues to be considered when aging safely in your home. More articles will be added to this series so please check back.
