According to a recent AARP survey, 77 percent of adults 50 and older want to stay in their homes as they age.
Imagine this scenario: You’re still enjoying your own home, basking in its familiar comfort and memories, years from now. No need to relocate. No limitations on your independence.
This vision becomes a reality if you start now to make smart home modifications for aging in place!
According to Forbes, “Aging in place remodeling involves the adaptation of a home so that it’s safe and manageable for a person to live in regardless of their physical limitations.”
Don’t let your home limit your independence. Stay safe and age-in-place with confidence with smart home updates. Embrace a vibrant future with home upgrades that will:
- Boost Your Safety
- Enhance Your Comfort
- Promote Your Well-Being
Ready to unlock the potential of your home so you can age in place with style? Our top 10 list reveals clever tweaks and smart updates that enable you to age in place in your home:
1. Install a Home Elevator: Adding a customized elevator to your home allows you to easily move between floors without having to use the stairs. This is especially helpful if you have mobility issues or use a wheelchair.
Home elevators come in various sizes and can be installed in a closet or other unused space. They are less complicated and less expensive than you may think. Make sure to work with a professional residential elevator company for proper installation.
Added bonus! According to data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), homes with elevators tend to sell at a higher price per square foot compared to similar properties without elevators.
2. Improve Lighting: As we age, we need brighter lighting to see well. Poor lighting is a major risk factor for falls and injuries in older adults, making proper lighting improvements essential for safety.
Increase lighting throughout your home by:
- Switching to Smart LED Lighting: While using higher wattage bulbs can work, switching to LEDs is more energy-efficient and provides similar lumen output (brightness) with lower wattage. Look for LEDs with 3000-5000K color temperature for optimal visual comfort.
- Incorporating Task Lighting: Adding more lamps, especially task lighting, near reading areas, kitchens and workstations significantly improves visibility for specific activities.
- Installing Daylight Bulbs: Studies show that daylight mimicking bulbs with a higher Kelvin rating (5000K+) can boost alertness and mood, potentially if you spend more time indoors.
- Adding Layering Light: While increasing overhead lighting is helpful, layering light with different sources provides better depth perception and reduces shadows.
- Setting Up Motion-Activated Lights: These are not just for convenience. They help you navigate low-light areas at night.
3. Update Flooring: Falls are the leading cause of injury and death among older adults. In the United States, over 14 million, or one in four, adults aged 65 and older report falling each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Replacing unsafe flooring can significantly reduce this risk.
Start by replacing old carpeting with low-pile carpets without padding or install hardwood, laminate or tile floors. This makes it easier to walk without tripping and rolling wheelchairs throughout your home. Also ensure floors do not have raised lips between rooms.
According to bobvila.com, “Avoid small throw rugs since they pose trip hazards. If you insist on keeping a few area rugs, look for options with skid-resistant backing, or use a rug pad underneath.”
4. Install Grab Bars and Handrails: According to a study conducted by the National Institute of Aging, 80% of falls among older adults take place in the bathroom.
Installing well-anchored handles in your bathroom can help you maintain your balance. Place grab bars near toilets, showers and baths to help with stability when sitting, standing or getting in and out.
In addition, over 1 million older adults are treated for stair-related injuries annually, according to Aging in Place Research Cluster. Handrails on both sides of your stairs provide crucial support and stability.
5. Improve Accessibility in the Bathroom: Over 20 million Americans face challenges with mobility, particularly when transitioning from sitting to standing positions, according to the National Council on Aging.
This difficulty can make daily activities such as using the toilet or taking a shower more complex and potentially hazardous. To address these challenges, various assistive devices and techniques have been developed.
Consider installing a raised toilet seat, shower seat, adjustable shower head and lever handle faucets for easier use. A walk-in or curbless shower is safer than a tub.
6. Enhance Accessibility in the Kitchen: As we age, reaching for items on high shelves can become difficult. Lowering cabinets or using easy-to-install pull-out shelves improves accessibility and independence.
According to the CDC, over 50 million Americans have arthritis, making lever handles and easy-to-grip handles on doors and drawers easier to use and reducing strain. A countertop with open space underneath allows a wheelchair to roll underneath.
7. Widen Doorways and Hallways: The standard width of a wheelchair is between 25 to 32 inches. Therefore, for comfortable maneuvering, especially in hallways, a minimum width of 36 inches is typically recommended.
Also, if you use walkers, canes or other mobility aids, wider doorways are crucial for accessibility. Consider installing pocket doors if regular doors take up too much space.
8. Add Home Automation Accessories: Motion sensors can automatically turn on lights and switch off appliances. Additionally, some home automation accessories are even capable of sending notifications to alert individuals when a room is unoccupied at specific times.
For instance, if your bedroom remains unoccupied at your usual bedtime, a notification can be sent to check on your well-being.
9. Adjust Closet Rods and Shelves: Bending or reaching high shelves can become difficult with age. Lowering shelves and using accessible closet designs improve safety and convenience.
Lower closet shelves and rods so you can easily reach clothing and other stored items. Install sliding shelves or doors on closets for easy access.
10. Improve Exterior Accessibility: Falls outside the home are equally concerning. Easy-to-use level door handles, proper lighting and clear pathways minimize trip hazards.
Personalize Your Space for Confidence as You Age in Place
Transform your home into a haven of safety and comfort as you age. By making strategic, yet often simple, renovations and improvements, you can create a space that fosters independence, confidence and well-being for years to come.
According to AARP, “If you feel overwhelmed, don’t worry — you can start small. Start with the rooms you use the most and focus on something challenging for you at the moment, like navigating the stairs or reaching high for items. Then, move on to things like improving the lighting in your house or decluttering pathways.”
Work with a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) such as Southeast Elevator when remodeling to help make sure your home is ready to age in place. Our expertise can help you identify areas of need based on your individual abilities and preferences. This personalized approach ensures the modifications truly enhance your daily life.
Embrace your creativity! There are countless ways to adapt your home without sacrificing style or functionality. Remember, even small changes can have a big impact as you successfully age in place for years to come.
