One third of American homes today house residents over the age of 60, and 90 percent of those residents would prefer to stay in their homes as they age for as long as humanly possible, a study by the National Institute on Aging shows. We call this “aging in place”.

With more Americans living well into old age, that may seem like a tall order. But planning ahead can make aging in place more achievable for you or your loved ones.  This might require altering the home to be more accommodating to poor eyesight, poor hearing, or the inability to walk.  We propose some accessibility renovations that will make any home more comfortable for aging in place.

The National Institute on Aging and Senior Living Magazine offer practical tips for making any home safer as we age:

Fix walkways.

This is the time to repair cracked or uneven areas of the walkway that could prove hazardous.

Improve lighting.

Install point lighting at the front door and motion-sensor lights focused on the stairwell to make entering the home and climbing the stairs safer.

Add railings.

Speaking of stairs, if you do have them, adding another railing on the wall side will make climbing much easier as you age. If you have a small set of steps such as 2-3; converting them into a ramp will be helpful for future accessibility.

Safety-proof the kitchen.

Switch to appliances with easy-to-read controls and simple-to-push button interfaces. Installing Lazy Susans or roll-out shelving in pantries and cabinets will make it easier to access foodstuffs, dishes, pot, pans and more.

Guard against slips and falls in the bath.

Add non-slip flooring and a securely attached grab bar to the shower. Consider building in a permanent bench or purchase a sturdy shower chair. Install a hand-held, adjustable height shower head with a hose to help direct the water.

Security and home automation.

In addition to a home security system, look into systems that automate light control, entertainment and more. Many home devices use voice control to turn off the lights, lock the doors, or even set reminders for medications.

If you need help making any of these changes to your home feel free to contact Clear Sky Developments today!

We are here to complete those home improvement projects you don’t have time to do yourself.