(BPT) - As the population ages, more older adults are choosing to stay in their home as long as possible. According to AgingInPlace.org, about 9 in 10 seniors plan to remain in their homes over the next five to 10 years. Choosing to remain in the home you've known and loved for decades gives you a sense of security and comfort that's hard to replicate elsewhere. If this is what you or a family member wishes to do, plan now by creating a safer, worry-free environment, especially if you or your loved one lives alone.
Many steps you can take to improve the safety and convenience of your home are simple and cost-effective, and making those improvements now can mean many more years of enjoying your home. Here are some ideas to get you started.
1. Reduce trip and fall hazards
Balance becomes a serious concern for many older adults, and falling can cause serious injuries. Because it's often hard to recognize potential dangers in your own home, you may want to have an occupational therapist or Certified Aging in Place Specialist visit to identify areas for improvement. Even asking a friend or family member to look with you can be helpful. Items of concern include:
- Area rugs
- Excess or unstable furniture
- Stairs with poor railing or lighting
- Uneven surfaces and cords
While you can easily remove small rugs or extra furniture, you may need a contractor for installing better railings, lighting upgrades and improving surfaces like thresholds that could cause tripping, as well as relocating electronics or rewiring to reduce troublesome cords.
2. Improve bathroom safety
The bathroom is a primary area of concern when it comes to falls and other hazards. You'll first want to ensure that your home provides a bathroom on every floor, and that you use non-slip floor tiles and grab bars in shower or bath areas. Make sure to find a professional contractor who is knowledgeable and experienced in correctly installing grab bars for the safety of older adults.
A bathroom on every level: Having at least a powder room on each level avoids hazards from having to use stairs in a hurry, or when it's dark and you may not be fully awake. Thanks to the technology of Saniflo products, you can have a new bathroom or powder room located virtually anywhere in your home without the expense, mess and hassle of creating below-floor plumbing drainage where none currently exists. Saniflo products provide an innovative, above-floor plumbing solution that lets you add or renovate bathrooms or even kitchens and laundry rooms without the need for costly, invasive, time-consuming below-floor plumbing work.
How it works: Saniflo systems use macerating and drain pump technology to efficiently handle wastewater from various fixtures, making them ideal for aging-in-place renovations. Unlike traditional plumbing that requires breaking through floors and foundations, Saniflo systems allow homeowners to install new bathrooms and other plumbing fixtures virtually anywhere in the home - including basements, garages or under staircases - without major structural changes. By eliminating need for extensive excavation and pipe rerouting, Saniflo products significantly reduce labor costs and construction time, making home upgrades more affordable.
Compact options like Sanicompact offer all-in-one solutions for small spaces, while models like Saniaccess 3 can handle up to three fixtures in a single installation, making them ideal for full bathroom additions. For example, New Jersey homeowner Joe O'Neill created a garage apartment with its own bathroom on a limited budget by using a Saniaccess 3 macerating toilet for the perfect cost-saving solution in a limited space.
Safer bathing options: A walk-in shower eliminates the need to step up into a shower or over a bathtub wall, which can be dangerous as you age. If you're adding a new bathroom in an easy, accessible location, consider raising the entire bathroom floor a few inches from ground level. This removes the need for the shower itself to be on a 6-inch platform when installing Saniflo products such as their Sanishower and Sanibest Pro. It also relieves the additional worry of missing your step when you're at your most vulnerable - getting in or out of the shower.
Tina, a homeowner in Connecticut, needed to have a shower installed immediately for her elderly parents' suite right after her father had a heart attack. The installation of a Sanishower in the lower level of her home took only four hours, giving the family instant peace of mind.
3. Boost kitchen convenience
You can also have a contractor modify aspects of your kitchen to improve safety and usability. Two renovations to consider are lowering cupboards to make it easier to reach all necessary items, and/or having countertops lowered to better suit your height.
Simpler changes to your kitchen can include removing trip hazards (such as area rugs or excess bar stools) and replacing your traditional faucet with a newer faucet that's easier to operate - or touchless, for easy use when your hands are full or you have joint or muscle stiffness. You may even want to consider having a pot filler installed to help you avoid lifting heavy pots of water to the stove.
Aging in place means having the comfort of your familiar home around you as long as you can live independently. To make your home safer for many years to come, consider tackling some of these improvement and renovation projects now. Learn more about these and other products at SFASaniflo.com/us.
