As we grow older in our homes, things that we once loved can become a challenge. That second floor might be hard to get to (all those stairs!), the soaking tub may seem unnaturally slippery and even threatening.
When a current home starts to present challenges to seniors, they often find their spaces need to be upgraded to suit their changing lifestyle. Luckily, there are all sorts of ways to make a home more comfortable and easier to navigate.
Whether it’s fall-proofing the home, improving the lighting, or even just rearranging the furniture, here are some of the most important changes seniors can make to their home in order to guarantee that it’s a safer space to live in.
1. Install nonslip mats
Falls are the No. 1 cause of injuries to seniors. So an easy way to start making a home safer is by making sure there aren’t any slippery spots in the kitchen or bathroom that might cause an accident.
Beyond fixing leaks, you can easily mitigate this problem by installing a few nonslip mats in rooms that have water in them.
“A slick floor can be extremely harmful for an elderly person,” says remodeling expert John Riedl, of EasyCash Offer Florida. “Nonslip mats in the bathtub and shower or by a sink can help.”
Get safe: Invest in a few nonslip mats to make potentially slick areas safer.
2. Improve the lighting
Another way to avoid falls? Make sure the house is well-lit but not ablaze with lights.
“Accidents can be caused by poor lighting,” says Riedl. “Your loved one may trip over objects if a room is too dark. And a glare could prevent them from seeing his or her surroundings if the area is too bright.”
Install as many night lights and lamps as needed to create a well-lit room. And make sure that all pathways—and especially stairs—are well-illuminated to help mitigate the risk of a fall.
Get safe: To cut down on energy usage, consider using things like sensor light switches and LED lightbulbs.
3. Reduce clutter
Another way to ensure seniors don’t take a bad fall? By reducing the clutter on the floors, by entryways, and in the yard.
“Just the simple act of decluttering spaces such as bedrooms, closets, as well as living and dining rooms can make it much easier to move about while also eliminating common tripping hazards,” says Daniel Edwards, owner of HandymanConnection South Shore. “And removing rugs or other floor hazards will also make things easier if they’re using a wheelchair.”
Besides furniture, rugs, and clutter, another common tripping hazard are electrical cords. Be sure these are neatly tucked out of the way of where people walk.
Get safe: Consider running any cords and electrical wires along the walls using cable clips or under rugs to keep them from tripping up your loved one.
4. Install grab bars
When it comes to stability and ease of movement throughout the home, grab bars are another essential item you’ll want to consider adding.
“Install grab bars in showers, bathtubs, and around toilets,” advises Edwards. “Make a note that it’s essential that grab bars are properly installed into the studs of a wall, not just drywall. Improperly installed grab bars are extremely dangerous, as they will not be able to hold up weight and will pull out of the wall easily.”
For the best results, Edwards advises making it a collaborative effort: Ask the seniors what places they might need extra help getting up or down. Keep in mind that most grab bars stick out several inches and should be installed away from doors, windows, and other high-traffic areas.
Get safe: Pick up a few of these stainless-steel grab bars to make transitions around the house easier.
5. Get financial help
Upgrades can be expensive, especially if you need thousands of dollars worth of work done. Luckily, the government has some programs in place to ease the cost burden.
“The United States Department of Agriculture has a grant called the Very Low Income Housing Repair Program that has a lot of potential for senior citizens and can help pay for critical home repairs,” says Zach Blenkinsopp, co-owner of Digital Roofing Innovations.
“Another option available through the federal government is the Section 504 Home Repair program offered by the USDA Rural Development office,” he adds. “This loan and grant program gives low-income homeowners up to 20 years to repay loans used to make necessary home repairs and accessibility modifications.”
Get safe: There may also be state-specific programs for your area, so check with your local Area Agency on Aging to see what may be available. Seniors may also be entitled to tax breaks for any home improvements they make to age in place.
Craig Donofrio contributed to this report.
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