Dream Lands Design
  • Home Improvement
    • DIY
    • Remodeling
    • Woodworking
    • Accessories
    • Home Design
      • Furniture
      • Organize
      • Tips
      • Decor
        • Interior
        • Exterior
    • Design Ideas
      • Bathroom
      • Bedroom
      • Dining Room
      • Living Room
      • Kitchen
  • Gardening
    • Backyard
    • Front Yard
    • Landscaping
  • Building Staircase
  • Home Improvement
    • DIY
    • Remodeling
    • Woodworking
    • Accessories
    • Home Design
      • Furniture
      • Organize
      • Tips
      • Decor
        • Interior
        • Exterior
    • Design Ideas
      • Bathroom
      • Bedroom
      • Dining Room
      • Living Room
      • Kitchen
  • Gardening
    • Backyard
    • Front Yard
    • Landscaping
  • Building Staircase

Categories

  • Accessories
  • Backyard
  • Bathroom
  • Beauty
  • Bedroom
  • Cars
  • Decor
  • Design Ideas
  • Dining Room
  • DIY
  • Entertaining
  • Exterior
  • Finance
  • Front Yard
  • Furniture
  • Gardening
  • Green Living
  • Home Design
  • Home Improvement
  • Interior
  • Kitchen
  • Landscaping
  • Lifestyle
  • Living
  • Living Room
  • Organize
  • Outdoor Living
  • Photography
  • Real Estate
  • Remodeling
  • Tips
  • Wall Improvement
  • Woodworking

Archives

  • November 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Disclosure
  • Sitemap
  • Contact Us
29K
98K
0
Dream Lands Design
  • Home Improvement
    • DIY
    • Remodeling
    • Woodworking
    • Accessories
    • Home Design
      • Furniture
      • Organize
      • Tips
      • Decor
        • Interior
        • Exterior
    • Design Ideas
      • Bathroom
      • Bedroom
      • Dining Room
      • Living Room
      • Kitchen
  • Gardening
    • Backyard
    • Front Yard
    • Landscaping
  • Building Staircase
featured image - Aging in Place: Simple Diy Home Modifications for Comfort and Safety
You're here: Home DIY Aging in Place: Simple Diy Home Modifications for Comfort and Safety

Aging in Place: Simple Diy Home Modifications for Comfort and Safety

  • Perla Irish
  • November 5, 2023
Total
1
Shares
0
0
1
0
0
Table of Contents Show
  1. Evaluate Accessibility and Safety
  2. Simple Kitchen Upgrades
  3. Bathroom Modifications
  4. Leverage Smart Home Technology
  5. Create a Multi-Purpose First Floor Living Space
  6. Declutter and Organize
  7. Find Senior-Friendly Contractors
  8. Know Your Limits
  9. When to Consider Assistance
  10. Conclusion

More and more seniors are opting to age in the comfort of their own homes rather than move to assisted living facilities.

image - Aging in Place: Simple Diy Home Modifications for Comfort and Safety
Aging in Place: Simple Diy Home Modifications for Comfort and Safety

With some thoughtful DIY improvements and modifications, you can adapt your home to be safer and more accessible for elderly or disabled residents.

Read on for tips to help you get started.

Evaluate Accessibility and Safety

First, do a thorough walk-through of your home to identify any accessibility or safety concerns. Check all entryways, doorways, and hallways for narrow passages that could impede wheelchair or walker access.

Note any areas where grab bars, railings, or leverage handles could help prevent falls. Ensure lighting is adequate throughout the home, especially in bathrooms, hallways, and staircases.

Watch out for tripping hazards like area rugs and clutter. The goal is to remove obstacles and improve navigation for those with limited mobility.

Simple Kitchen Upgrades

The kitchen is often the heart of a home, and it deserves some senior-friendly upgrades. Adjust cabinet and appliance heights so items can be reached from a seated position.

Consider installing pull-down shelving or Lazy Susan cabinets to improve access. Upgrade appliances to ones with front controls and anti-tip features.

Make sure pathways in and out of the kitchen are wide and obstacle-free. Non-slip flooring is a must. These simple changes allow elderly home residents to maintain independence in the kitchen.

Bathroom Modifications

Bathrooms deserve ample attention when modifying your home for aging in place. Begin by replacing narrow doors with wide, wheelchair-accessible openings. Install grab bars near toilets and in the tub/shower for stability.


Read Also :

  • Interior Design Styles: DIY Home Decor Ideas, Adding Value To Your House
  • Stuck at Home Due to COVID-19? Try These 5 DIY Home Renovation Ideas
  • DIY Projects: Home Improvement, Learn How To DIY Home Decor Ideas

Mount a shower seat for resting and easy transfers. Use textured anti-slip flooring to prevent falls. Ensure toilets are at a comfortable height with available armrests for support.

Improve lighting, install a handheld showerhead, remove trip hazards, and widen pathways to make bathrooms safer and more user-friendly.

Leverage Smart Home Technology

Today’s smart home gadgets offer wonderful aging-in-place benefits. Motion sensor lights illuminate hallways if someone gets up at night. Video doorbells allow residents to see and speak with visitors without opening the door.

Smart locks provide family caregivers remote access. Remote monitoring systems and wearable medical alert devices summon emergency help with the push of a button.

Voice control assistants like Alexa allow seniors to control their environment and manage tasks hands-free. Install technology that provides security, control, and connection.

Create a Multi-Purpose First Floor Living Space

For aging homeowners with mobility limitations, having an accessible first-floor living space is crucial. Convert a den, sunroom, or dining room into a master bedroom and bath.

Install a sleeper sofa and TV in the living room to accommodate overnight guests and caregivers. Set up a home office space with room for medications, files, and personal documents.

Build out an open floor plan that seamlessly connects living, cooking, and dining areas. The goal is to create a safe, comfortable living environment without navigating stairs.

Declutter and Organize

Clutter is the enemy of safe, accessible homes. Do a deep clean and purge of your space. Eliminate tripping hazards like electrical cords and small furniture.

Donate unused items to maximize space. Organize cabinets, closets, and storage areas. Have medications and frequently used items on easy-to-reach shelves and surfaces.

Proper lighting is key. The more organized and decluttered a home, the safer it is for aging adults.

Find Senior-Friendly Contractors

Some home modifications like stairlifts, complex bathroom renovations, and doorway widening may require professional help. Search for contractors or handymen in your area who specialize in senior-friendly home adaptations and accessibility features.

Many services offer free at-home consultations to evaluate your space. Ask friends and family for referrals or contact a geriatric care manager for recommendations. With the right contractor, you can undertake major remodeling projects tailored to your unique needs.

Know Your Limits

While many accessibility improvements can be DIY-ed, recognize your own physical limitations. Tasks like installing grab bars, adjusting door hinges, and removing carpeting often require mobility, strength, and balance.

Seniors who lack sturdy footing or have chronic health conditions, leave dangerous work to the professionals. Some jobs also require electrical, plumbing, or construction experience. Don’t take unnecessary risks – it’s better to pay for help than risk a preventable accident.

When to Consider Assistance

If aging at home starts to become challenging even with home modifications, it may be time to bring in professional elder care services. Aging life care specialists, sometimes called geriatric care managers, can do in-home assessments and recommend assistive equipment and technology.

Home health aides can monitor health situations such as elderly weight loss and lend a hand with chores, bathing, errands, and transportation a few hours per week. Adult day programs allow seniors to socialize and enjoy activities in a community setting during the day. ultimately, the goal is maintaining independence at home for as long as feasibly possible.

Conclusion

With some thoughtful planning and DIY renovations, you can adapt your home to be more comfortable, accessible, and safe for aging loved ones.

Remember to focus on improving navigation, accessibility, lighting, and safety with your home modifications.

And don’t hesitate to call in professional assistance if needed – there are many elder care services available to support seniors wishing to age in place.

With the right preparation, you can ensure your home accommodates your needs now and in the future.

Total
1
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 1
Share 0
Share 0
Perla Irish

Perla Irish, who is more familiarly known as Irish, is the Content Manager at Dreamlandsdesign.com. She loves following trends around home and garden, interior design, and digital marketing. Through this blog, Irish wants to share information and help readers solve the problems they are experiencing.

Related Topics
  • care
  • help
  • home
  • living
  • seniors
  • space

Subscribe

Subscribe now to our newsletter

You May Also Like
featured image - Selecting the Best Entrance: Manual Vs. Automatic Ranch Gates
View Post

Selecting the Best Entrance: Manual Vs. Automatic Ranch Gates

  • November 30, 2023
featured image - Reasons to Hire a Professional Licensed Hvac Contractor
View Post

Reasons to Hire a Professional Licensed Hvac Contractor

  • November 30, 2023
featured image - Feng Shui's Influence on Asian Family Dynamics
View Post

Feng Shui’s Influence on Asian Family Dynamics

  • November 29, 2023
featured image - DIY vs. Professional Plaster Repair Which is Right for You
View Post

DIY vs. Professional Plaster Repair: Which is Right for You?

  • November 29, 2023
featured image - What Should You Know About Hot Tubs in Florence KY?
View Post

What Should You Know About Hot Tubs in Florence KY?

  • November 28, 2023
featured image - The Essential Guide to Whole Home Repipe for Homeowners
View Post

The Essential Guide to Whole Home Repipe for Homeowners

  • November 28, 2023
featured image - The Best Whiteboard Alternative for Your Home Office
View Post

The Best Whiteboard Alternative for Your Home Office

  • November 28, 2023
featured image - Shipping Containers in Modern Architecture
View Post

Shipping Containers in Modern Architecture

  • November 27, 2023
Dream Lands Design
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Disclosure
  • Sitemap
  • Contact Us

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

Add Dream Lands Design to your Homescreen!

Add