Accessibility and Safety A Must-Have

Yes, it’s true we change as we age. As physical abilities change with age, it may become more difficult to manage at home safely and for you to continue to age in place. Therefore, it is important that you evaluate your home for its accessibility and safety, and whether it supports your ability to carry out everyday activities efficiently so you are able to continue to thrive at home.

Improvements, modifications, and repairs can help older adults maintain their independence and prevent accidents. Modifications can range from simple changes, like replacing doorknobs with levers, to major modifications such as installing a wheelchair ramp.

Home modifications can improve the accessibility, adaptability, and/or universal design of your forever home. Improving accessibility involves widening doorways and lowering countertops and light switch heights for someone who uses a wheelchair.

Changes that do not require home redesign, such as installing grab bars in bathrooms, are adaptability features. Universal design is usually built in when a home is constructed. It includes features that are sturdy and reliable, easy for all people to use, and flexible enough to be adapted for special needs.

Key Considerations

Do you have any difficulty using the stairs inside your home? If yes, you should consider the following modifications that can help you. Increase lighting above your stairs. Install light switches at the top AND bottom of your stairs. Extend handrails beyond the stairs. Repair or replace your stair covering or landings with a non-slip surface. Move your bedroom to the main floor. Move or add a powder room to your main floor.

Do you have any difficulty moving from one room to another? If yes, the following accessibility and safety changes could help you.  Lower the height of your door thresholds or remove the thresholds. Use color contrast or changes in your floor texture wherever there is a change to the level of your floor.  Install “swing clear hinge” on your doors to widen doorways. Install handrails or grab bars where there are changes in the floor level. Install handrails along your walls in the hallway, and entrance.

There are a number of simple accessibility and safety solutions to make your home a safe and accessible environment. Look around and see what minor details can pose a problem, and begin making a checklist for modifying your home so you can age freely and safely