Home Renovations for Aging in Place

Many seniors have lived in their homes for decades.

They’re comfortable, used to their surroundings and prefer to stay in an area with which they’re familiar.

Unfortunately, this can be challenging if the home doesn’t have accommodations for safe senior living. For example, one of the most dangerous rooms in the house for seniors is the bathroom. If the bathroom doesn’t have railings, toilets that are the proper height or safe showers, seniors could easily fall without anyone knowing for days. Home renovations for aging in place are crucial for any senior who wants to stay in his or her home long term.

Renovations by Room

There are a variety of different renovations that can make bathrooms safer. On the simpler side, adding non-slip mats makes the whole room less of a hazard. If your loved one has a tile or laminate bathroom floor, just a little bit of water can be enough to cause him or her to slip and fall. Non-slip mats help to avoid this issue altogether. Raised toilets, bars in the shower and modified showers/bathtubs are also ideal for seniors who choose to age in place.

In the bedroom, the biggest hazard is often getting in and out of bed. Purchasing a hospital bed or adding rails to the side of a traditional bed are both viable solutions for increasing safety in the bedroom. Additionally, it’s important to remove any loose rugs that could pose a tripping hazard.

It’s important to have good lighting in every room of the house as well. Adding nightlights throughout the house ensures that a senior can easily get through the home at any time of day without fear of injury. You should also make sure that your senior loved one has plenty of room to maneuver around the house. Leave enough space for him or her to easily get around furniture.

Help for Aging in Place Renovations

Two of the biggest setbacks that people often have when it comes to aging in place renovations are affording the work and finding contractors with experience in the field. Fortunately, there are many organizations that exist to help with these costs and issues. For example, the National Association of Home Builders can help you find contractors in the area that specialize in aging in place renovations.

Still have questions or aren’t sure where to start? Contact Senior Care Lifestyles. We can talk you through the process and give you some ideas for the right home renovations for aging in place for you or your loved one.