Aging in Place

AGING  IN  PLACE

It wasn’t too long ago that an individual spent his golden years in the care of a nursing home or perhaps an assisted living facility.  Care was often sub par and often relatives found it difficult to visit their loved ones.

As evolution would have it, people are living longer due to advancements in technology and in the medical field combined with a healthier living style.  We are also working harder and retiring later.  We have a strong will to achieve the American dream which entails home ownership.  And it is the purchasing of that home that makes us want to enjoy the fruits of our labor.

But remaining in our home, as we age, can become challenging.  Our golden years often see us facing medical conditions such as arthritis, brittle bones, strokes and poor eye sight.  We slow down and climbing a set of stairs, that we previously climbed without a thought, now becomes too exhausting.  Door knobs are hard to turn and a walker does not traverse well over carpet.  However prudent, the idea of moving out of our home is not appealing.  We want to stay near friends, family, church and our familiar surroundings.  Thus it becomes necessary to adapt our homes to our new lifestyle.

A design trend that has emerged over the last few years is aptly named “Aging in Place”.  Interior designers have studied and researched how to transition a home from child proof to easy access so our senior citizens can remain in their homes during their golden years.

Some modifications are easy and inexpensive to apply and others require more planning.

Modifications that are easier to implement include:

~ change door knobs to levers.  Arthritis hands will not have to grasp a knob but can simply use the side of their hand to open a door.
~ eliminate carpet which can be challenging to traverse in a wheel chair or walker.  Use hardwood floors or tile.  Make sure transition pieces between rooms are level, without any “speed bump” effect.
~ faucet controls for sinks and showers should be a lever instead of a knob.
~ use toilets with a higher seat profile.
~ install ramps where applicable for wheel chairs and walkers.  Not all stairs must be converted, just select one or two that would be most beneficial.
~ lower closet rods to a manageable height.
~reduce the number of area rugs.  They can be a tripping hazard.
~ reduce temperature on water heater to prevent scolding.
~ install a seat in the shower and a hand held shower spray.
~ install grab bars on shower walls and in water closet.

Modifications that require more expense and planning include:

~ if applicable, install an elevator.  If this is cost prohibited or logistically impossible than install a staircase lift system.
~ enlarge at least one bathroom to be wheelchair accessible.  This requires a 5 (five) foot diameter open space to maneuver a wheelchair.  You may also want to replace a cabinet vanity with a pedestal or wall hung sink.
~ replace tub and shower with a unit that allows a wheelchair to roll in, or allows an individual to transfer easily from wheelchair to a seat in the tub or in the shower.
~ in the kitchen install the microwave below counter height.  This allows for at least one cooking appliance to be at a manageable height.
~ install pull out drawers in under counter cabinets.  This allows for easier reach for those items that are stored in the back of a cabinet.
~ convert the fireplace to a heat-a-lator.   This simplifies the process of starting a fire or cleaning up the ashes.