How to Tackle Home Accessibility Problems Without a Hitch

As you get older, it’s important to look at your home in a new way. Age-related home modifications will make a difference in your life. Modifications will help you stay independent and enable you to continue living in your community. They don’t have to cost too much money, and there are even options for seniors with dementia. Here’s how you can modify your home and help your body age gracefully without injury.

 Size up your home

The kinds of modifications you need to make all depend on your needs and status. Some modifications might surprise you. An article recently published by Harvard Health Letter explained that unexpected parts of your home might become trouble spots. For example, heavy doors can become hard to open, especially as you lose dexterity with your hands as you age, so you might consider replacing your round door knobs with lever handles.

Examine the areas of your house that you spend the most time in. Take inventory of each room, from your kitchen to your bathroom to the bedroom. See what might cause potential for injury. Some potentially dangerous areas include slippery surfaces, stairs, and exits.

Check the outside as well and see if you need to install a ramp for wheelchairs. If you do yard work, make sure you can access your tools in a safe area. Look at areas of your yard you might have trouble accessing, like overgrown tree roots or an uneven lawn.

Look at your budget

You don’t need to shell out for expenses like these. You can make some of the modifications yourself if you’d like, or you can hire a handyman and buy the parts yourself.

If you need financial assistance, there are different options for that. If necessary, you might need to take out a low-interest loan, get a grant, or enlist some volunteers. Be sure to consult with a professional to determine what your needs are before making any drastic decisions.

 Downsize and move

If your house requires too many modifications and prices are climbing, consider looking at local listings and downsizing your house. You shouldn’t have to leave your community that you’ve called home for so long, so ask neighbors and friends for recommendations, or check out homes that are already accessible; Beaverton has lots of homes that are already designed with accessibility in mind. Try to find a home that has only one story and has wide doors and hallways. If you’d like, you can also move into a retirement community and find friends from a similar life situation.

Moving into a smaller house can be tough, given that you’ve likely lived in your home for a long time and you’ve acquired a lot of, well, stuff. If you decide to move into a smaller home, take time to sort through all the things you can keep and the stuff you can throw away.

 Some basic modifications to consider

An article recently published by American Family Physician highlighted some general home modifications to help seniors with disabilities retain their independence. These modifications also work for patients with dementia, so don’t feel like you or your loved ones have to move into an assisted living home.

 Some basic modifications include:

?     Grab bars

?     Door alarms

?     Putting cleaning supplies and medication in a safe, secure place

?     Improving the lighting situation and making things easier to see

?     Increasing the size of computers, tablets, and electronics throughout the house for better visuals

?     Oversized fixture switches

?     Getting sufficient visual cues for the hearing-impaired

 It will take time and effort to make your home an easier place to navigate. Make sure you consult with a professional and consider your budget. Most importantly, try to make these considerations while you’re still healthy. Don’t wait until you get hurt. Plan for the future, and you can continue to live an independent and happy life.