Presentation
Kathy Subasic
Home Modifications: Simple Solutions to Make Your Home Work for You
Ms. Subasic opened by noting that "we often plan our financial futures, but don't often plan for the accessibility changes that will be needed in our homes as we age." "Aging-in-place" is the term that describes the ability to stay in one's home, if appropriately modified, as one ages.
Examples of construction that enable Aging-in-Place include no steps necessary to enter, single floor living, extra wide hallways and doors, accessible electrical controls and lever style handles for doors and faucets. Bodily limitations associated with aging may require such modifications for safe and comfortable daily living.
The facts are there are 575,000 people greater than 65 years-of-age living in Connecticut, with 16.8% of Hartford County residents also over 65 years-of-age. 87% of people want to stay at home as compared to moving to assisted living facilities yest 38% of adults greater than 65 have at least one functional deficit. Further, 25% of Americans over 65 suffer falls each year and are injured. Every 11 seconds an older adult is seen in an emergency department for a fall related injury and every 19 minutes an older adult dies from complications associated with a fall.
Yet there are low cost , no cost and larger, greater cost projects and modifications that can assist in achieving the aging-in-place ideal. Below are short lists of the kind of modifications suggested:
No Cost Solutions
Keep outdoor pavement in good repair.
Don't allow exposed wiring.
Have no freestanding objects on stairs or in hallways.
Have handrails present and solidly attached.
Maintain carpeting at transitions and on stairs solidly attached.
Have throw rugs placed with no slip devices or adhesives.
Keep furniture arranged for clear paths across rooms.
Keep frequently used items easily accessible.
Keep blinds open in daytime for adequate lighting and provide adequate lighting in darkness.
Trim brush and bushes for clear lines of sight through windows.
Keep your water heater's maximum water temperature at or below 120 degrees to avoid accidental scalding.
Low Cost Solutions
Have an oven rack puller to avoid accidental burns.
Install a hand held shower device.
Elevate furniture with furniture raisers.
Install toilet raisers.
Add shower benches and chairs.
Use color contrast tapes and stickers to allow easier visual identification of the location of switches and doorknobs.
For stairs use non-slip tapes on treads.
Remote controlled lighting helps avoid traversing darkened areas to reach light switches.
Rocker type light switches are easier to manipulate.
Use night lights and where needed use motion sensor night lights
Use toilet bowl lights.
Use grab bars instead of towel racks to serve both purposes.
Bigger Projects
Access ramps at entrance doorways.
Vertical platform lifts.
Appliance modifications to enable easier access and use.
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