Have you heard the terms “aging in place” or “universal design?” Maybe not yet, but you likely will in the future. It’s a trend where people (baby boomers especially) are modifying their homes with safety and comfort features, which allow them to stay at home longer as they get older. This could potentially save thousands of dollars on assisted-living or nursing home costs in the future.
In a 2011 AARP survey of Americans aged 50 years and older, 85% of respondents reported that it is extremely/very important to have long-term-care services that allow aging in place. However, only one in six homeowners has made home modifications that would allow them to be safe and comfortable in their home as they age. The goals of aging in place are to enhance the quality of life for older adults in their home environment, allow them to participate in valued activities, and ensure that people who plan to stay in their homes as they age make the necessary modifications to do so.
Aging in Place Modifications
So what types of modifications can be made to a home to make it safer and more comfortable? Every room can potentially be retrofitted with safety features such as grab bars, better lighting or electrical outlets placed at a more convenient height.
Other common types of aging in place modifications include:
- Lever door handles that operate
easily with a push
- Handrails on both sides of staircase and outside steps
- Ramps for accessible entry and exit
- Non-slip flooring
- Walk-in or roll-in shower
- Grab bars in the shower, by the toilet, and by the tub
- Hand-held, flexible shower head
- Lever-handed faucets that are easy to turn on and off
