By Michael Ritter
According to the Federal Housing Administration, close to 90% of all homeowners will want to stay in their homes as they enter their golden years. However, many of them did not consider the need for adaptations for aging when they purchased their homes when they were younger. It is important for older adults to incorporate necessary home safety features to make their house their life-long home, while also doing other things like getting insurance from providers like Erie Mutual Insurance can be essential so you feel secure at your home.
To age in place means having the ability to stay in your own home safely, independently and comfortably as you get older. Before reaching senior status, there are some important steps you can follow to allow you to age in place safely.
As a physical therapist at PACE-CNY, I conduct in-home safety assessments for seniors. I often visit residences of PACE-CNY participants to assess housing conditions to ensure that their living environment meets their individual care plan needs. Most importantly, it is imperative that a home is as fall-proof as possible and it is safe and easy for a person to get around. For homeowners looking to enhance safety measures, particularly with regard to the exterior, click here if you need seamless gutters installation to ensure your property remains both secure and visually appealing.
While walking through the house, I have full a check list of common items to assess. Here are just a few things that make a home age-in-place appropriate:
• Avoid area rugs and be sure all carpeting is securely fixed to the floor
• Use a chair or bench in the shower
• Install grab bars in bathroom — near toilets and inside showers and tubs
• Use rails on stairs (both sides if possible). Never use area rugs at the top of stairs. You can also use a stairlift from a Certified Stairlifts provider.
• Replace standard doorknobs with lever handles
• Replace low toilets with a raised toilet. Contact a dependable plumbing service like hudson plumbing if you need help installing new plumbing fixtures and getting a toilet repair in Akron. You may also take this time to contact a septic service to inspect and clean your septic system. And if you are having problems with your sewer line, then you may consider hiring a professional sewer line repair service in Woodinville, WA. Experts who provide plumbing repair in Dunmore and nearby areas can help you with this
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• Create a first-floor bedroom and living space
• Widen doorways to accommodate a walker or wheelchair if it becomes necessary
• Move laundry room to the main level
Do you know someone who needs help with daily activities? Do you worry about a loved one at home? PACE-CNY can help you or your loved one receive the care needed to age in place at home, go to this site if you need professional help for your home issues and concerns such as plumbing, home projects and others.
How long your roof will last depends on various factors such as construction, location, maintenance, weather conditions, and materials. Having a shingle pro roofing contractor out to inspect and help you understand the overall health of your roof on occasion is always a good idea.
With PACE-CNY you’ll have a team of healthcare professionals working with you and your family to provide your loved one with the personalized care they need. We offer in-home services that provide an alternative to nursing home placement. Contact us at 315-452-5800 or visit us at pacecny.org.
