Top Home Modifications for Seniors

in Home Improvement

Navigating the home as we get older may become more difficult, but there are many things you can do to make this easier. These days, many seniors are looking into home modifications to make their homes more accessible. It’s important to look after yourself, and modifying your home is one way to do that. Read on to discover a few of the top home modifications for seniors.

Kitchen

The kitchen can be a potentially dangerous area of the house, because of the appliances and sharp objects stored in there. There are a few modifications you can make to make the kitchen safer and more convenient to use. First, you should make sure there are smoke alarms and/or carbon monoxide alarms in the kitchen (and throughout the house). They can easily be installed by the fire department or by going to your nearest home improvement store and having a family member install them for you.

Next, Assess the lighting. A kitchen should be well lit so that you can see what you are doing. If there is only one ceiling light, then you should install under-cabinet lighting to make your countertops more visible. You can also swap out the knobs on cabinets for handles to make them easier to grip. You can do the same for the kitchen sinks to make them easier to turn. As you age, you may find it more difficult to lift heavier things, like the kettle, so invest in a kettle tipper. If you use a wheelchair, you may want to adjust the height of your countertops to make them more accessible, or if you get tired standing for long periods of time, you could research the best counter stools so you can sit while you prep your meals.

Living Room

People spend a lot of time in their living room, so this room may require a few modifications. Think about the layout of the room. If there is anything that is blocking access to the couch or doorway, then it should be moved aside or taken out of the room. Any throw rugs should be removed. It’s easy to trip over them and while they may look nice, they can be a hazard. Any extension cables should be moved to a place where they can’t be tripped over, for example, keeping the cables behind the couch or along a wall. Most furniture is designed with aesthetics, not functionality, in mind. Consider getting a couch with higher seats, and if you have particular trouble with bending, then get yourself an adjustable chair which can be reclined, has adjustable armrests, and which can be raised and lowered to help you stand and sit. You can always contact Los Angeles movers to help you move furniture to and from your home.

Bedroom

Getting in an out of bed can become increasingly difficult, so swapping your bed for an adjustable bed may be of help. Installing bed rails can prevent you from falling out of bed too. You should have light switches within reach so that you can turn on a bedside lamp or the ceiling light so that you don’t trip over anything in case you need to get up to use the bathroom in the night. You should also make sure you have access to a phone, so keep your mobile on your bedside table in case there’s an emergency.

Bathroom

Bathrooms can cause problems for seniors, but a few modifications can help. Bathtubs can be difficult to get in and out of due to difficulties with bending, but there are a few options to combat this. You could install some railings and get a removable seat that you can place over your bath or you could install a walk-in tub that will already have a seat and a removable showerhead to make bathing easier. You could also swap out your bath for a walk-in shower with a wider door for easier wheelchair and walker access. Shower seats can be easily installed in walk-in showers and they are usually foldable, so they won’t get in the way. Make sure your bathroom has non-slip mats since it’s easy to slip in the tub and on the tiled floors. You can get a raised toilet seat so you won’t have to bend down as far. You should also consider adjusting the height of the bathroom sink. You can lower it if you’re a wheelchair user, or you can raise it so you don’t have to bend down so far.

Hallways and Stairs

Installing a ramp in the entryway will make a home more accessible to wheelchair users and those who have difficulties with climbing the stairs. Make sure there is no clutter in the hallways or along the staircase that could be tripped over or that could block access to the rooms. The hallway and staircase should be sufficiently lit to avoid accidents or falls. Doorways can be widened if necessary for better walker/wheelchair access. To make getting up and down the stairs easier, an extra banister can be added to the adjacent wall or you can install a stairlift.

If you feel that home modifications aren’t enough and you need some additional help, then it may be time to look into senior home care services and hire a carer to help you around the house.


Image Credits: Pixabay

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