If you’re a young person, you can live in pretty much whatever style of home you like and not have to worry about anything. But when you get older, features in the environment start to matter a lot more. That’s one reason why older folks tend to live in bungalows – it eliminates the problem of the stairs.
In this post, we run through some of the essential home modifications you’ll need to make if you plan on living with elderly relatives. Check them out below.
Put Down Ramps
Stairs are a great way to gain height in a building conveniently. But for older people, they can be a real challenge, especially if they are in a wheelchair.
For that reason, many homeowners in this situation choose to install ramps. Usually, you can build ramps to your front door on top of any pre-existing steps, allowing you to revert your property to normal once you no longer need them. However, you may also need indoor ramps if your property is on a series of levels.
Adjust The Kitchen
Today, it is fashionable for home kitchens to feature breakfast bars and high tools. Unfortunately, though, both of these features are inappropriate for a senior with mobility issues. Therefore, you may need to hire a contractor to bring the height of the countertops down to a lower level that makes them more accessible. Ideally, you want to manufacture a kitchen where you can access everything from the seating position.
Shower And Bath Modifications
The bathroom is perhaps the most dangerous place for an older adult in your home. The combination of slippery surfaces and gymnastics required to get in and out of the bath/shower is a recipe for disaster.
A lot of homeowners get around this problem with walk-in tub installation. The idea here is to build a door into the bath’s side so that elderly relatives can simply open it, walk-in, and then close it when they want to take a bath.
When it comes to bath modifications, you’ve got a couple of options:
- Install a whole new unit
- Cut a door into your existing tub
You can find contractors that offer both types of services online. Usually, the second is the cheaper of the two but not always, so always get quotes before committing.
Install Shorter Nap Carpets
Seniors are more likely to trip on some floors than others. The most problematic surface tends to be old, shaggy carpets. Errant fibers can often get caught on their footwear, tripping them up.
If you insist on having carpet in your home, choose the short-nap variety. With these, there’s a lower risk of trips and falls. And seniors are able to move around in chairs, strollers, and walkers more easily compared to when the carpet is long.
As we go forward, we are also likely to see a range of technologies that make aging in place a more pleasant experience – everything from home monitoring systems to assistive seating devices.
