As your loved one gets older, they may find it more challenging to complete certain tasks or habits in their home. Physical or neurological conditions, pain, decreased mobility, and fear of falling can all contribute to struggling while living at home. However, this doesn’t mean that your loved one necessarily needs to move out of their home. In fact, most seniors (about 75%) don’t want to leave their home of choice and instead want to age in place in their home.
So, how can you support your loved one and their desire to age in place while also advocating for their safety and health? A few home modifications, some that you can take care of during a do-it-yourself weekend, can be the ideal solution. Here are a few changes you can make that will go a long way in creating an environment that is safe, easy to navigate, and adds to your loved one’s quality of life and dignity.
Lighting Upgrades
Believe it or not, a few nightlights and lamps can make your loved one’s home safer and decrease their risk of falling. Even better, installing additional lighting typically doesn’t require hiring an electrician.
- Add nightlights to illuminate the pathway your loved one would take at night when going from their bedroom to the bathroom
- Add extra lighting to the dark corners of the hallway, closets, and staircases.
- Make sure all lamps have cords that are tucked away and secured. Use cord clips to ensure cords are not in any pathways of the home
- Illuminate all entrances into the home, including the entrance from the garage into the home
- Speaking of the garage, ensure the garage is well-lit and that any lights on a timer are set for the longest duration so that your loved one doesn’t get stuck in a dark garage when they are halfway to the door
- If your loved one is up for it, consider using smart plugs and coordinating them with your loved one’s Alexa so that they will turn on and off with a voice command
Bathroom Upgrades
The bathroom can be one of the most dangerous rooms in the home when it comes to falls. Wet floors and other slippery surfaces can be tricky for even the healthiest senior. It’s never too early to think about making this room as safe as possible:
- Add a grab bar to the wall next to the toilet. Ensure it is stable and secured properly to the wall
- Secure all rugs to the floor
- Add a non-slip mat to the shower floor
- As your loved one needs it, a shower chair can be an excellent addition that can decrease fall risk and give them more independence, as they can preserve their energy and balance by sitting on the chair. Don’t forget to add a handheld shower head as well
- If your budget permits, consider a step-in shower upgrade to further reduce the risk of falls
Kitchen Safety Hacks
Chances are, your loved one spends a lot of time in the kitchen throughout their day. Reaching for plates and bowls, as well as bending down to grab a cast-iron skillet, can become more challenging as they experience balance or mobility issues. Here are a few easy ways to make the kitchen space work for your loved one, not against them:
- Keep small appliances that are used daily on the counter in a designated spot, like the coffee maker or air fryer
- Keep plates, bowls, and cups in a cabinet that is easy to reach and requires no high reaching or standing on tiptoes
- Secure all rugs
- Put regularly used pots and pans in an easy-to-reach spot in the pantry or cabinet
- Keep a Sharpie near the ziplock bags and foil so they can label their leftovers
- Add emergency contact information, along with a list of current medications, clipped to the fridge
- Consider swapping out the heavy cast-iron skillet and pots for an option that is not as heavy. Test the handles as well to make sure your loved one can grip them with ease
Other Modifications to Consider
As you see what challenges your loved one is facing while living their daily routines, you can adjust their home to meet those struggles:
- Consider a bed frame that raises and lowers
- Declutter the closet to make choosing an outfit for the day less overwhelming
- Remove large pieces of furniture that might clutter the pathways of the home
- Move laundry to the main level of the home
- Add a reminder to your calendar to check your loved one’s fire and carbon monoxide detectors at least twice per year
- Widening doorways is an excellent idea, especially if your loved one has a condition that might lead to using a walker or wheelchair. An open floor plan is a great option that supports this (and it’s a popular trend as well)
- Medical alert systems provide quick response and support during emergencies. Find a service that supports your loved one and ensure they choose a device they will consistently wear and understand how to use.
Get More Ideas and Resources
If your loved one is aging in place, home modifications are just the first step in supporting them. Download our free Aging In Place Guide, full of resources including meal planning checklists, legal and financial planning worksheets, and a comprehensive safety checklist for the home.
