Make Your Home Safe for All Ages

What is aging in place?
Whether your 80-year-old aunt is coming to stay for a few days or you are approaching an older age, home modifications to promote independent living are important. To comfortably stay in your own home or current living situation longer, consider simple upgrades to help you stay safe now and in the future. Regardless of one's health status or abilities, aging-in-place remodeling can make your home more friendly for older adults and promote successfully aging.

By installing items like grab bars and ramps to avoid falls, many people can avoid long-term care and healthcare support services to remain on their own. To enhance safety and comfort for yourself, family members and visitors, especially ones who may have physical challenges that come with aging, here are a few quick and cost-effective ways to promote independent living.

Consider pathways in the house.
Clear obstacles and even move furniture that a person has to maneuver around. Move any electrical cords near where a person might walk — perhaps taping them to a wall or using a hook. To avoid falls, clear stairs of any objects — shoes, books and other personal items that tend to collect on the lower treads. Also check that railings on stairs inside and out are secure, and make repairs where needed. Combined, this promotes people's well-being, creates a more hospitable living environment and allows you to stay safe at home.

Lighting is crucial.
Put night lights in bathrooms, the guest bedroom, any hallways near the guest bedroom and in the kitchen to help with living independently. Make sure there is a lamp or light switch within easy reach of the guest bed so that visitors can keep a light on until safely tucked in. Well-lit outdoor walkways and entrances are also key for many older adults when coming or going in the dark. Consider home modifications like smart technology that allow you to adjust lighting using only your voice.

Utilize non-slip flooring.
Be sure the shower you or your guest will use has a non-slip floor. This aging-in-place home modification is very important to avoid health scares as you grow older. To enhance the traction, apply non-slip strips or a suction-attached non-slip mat, both readily available at home improvement stores. Other resources for living independently include rubber flooring and textured vinyl flooring.

Secure or remove any throw rugs.
The edges of rugs, even bathroom mats, can be a tripping hazard for older adults, and even a slight scoot can affect a person's balance and safety. If there are rugs you want to secure rather than remove, non-slip pads can help, but safer still would be to apply double-sided carpet tape or even caulk to attach the rug to the floor. If you choose one of these methods, be mindful that you don't mar the floor underneath.

Identify proper seating.
As you grow older, it's key to identify seating in your gathering rooms that is appropriately firm, high in the seat and, preferably, has arms to help you easily sit down and get up with control. A chair that is too soft or too low to the ground can strand a loved one awkwardly and make them need assistance. If in doubt about the available seating in the room, bring a dining chair with arms into the room as an alternative.

Find a Certified Contractor or Remodeler.
If you are considering long-term home modifications for aging-in-place, be sure to consult your local home builders association or utilize the NAHB Directories to find a certified remodeler or contractor. A remodeler or contractor who is a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist can discuss your concerns and other factors to help make your home as safe as possible.