HUNTSVILLE LIVING | NOVEMBER 2024 | 3
Senior-friendly interior renovations
Grab bars in bathrooms can make homes safer for seniors with limited mobility .
Home is where the heart is . That sentiment may be especially true for seniors who have spent decades living in their homes .
A lot of hard work goes into home ownership , and seniors who have lived in the same space for a while undoubtedly have countless memories within the walls of their homes .
A lifetime of experiences in a home can make it hard to leave , but many seniors experience diminished mobility as they age . Mobility issues can make it hard for seniors to traverse their homes , but aging homeowners can make various renovations to make a home more accessible .
• Revamp entryways and staircases . A 2020 study of 1,000 adults in the United Kingdom found that 28 percent of individuals age 65 and older who don ’ t exercise regularly struggle with activities like walking up stairs . The study , commissioned by Total Fitness , also found that 14 percent of men and women over 65 who regularly engage in moderate exercise still find it challenging to climb up and down a flight of stairs . Seniors facing similar challenges can install a ramp at their home ’ s entryway so they can comfortably go in and out . Inside , a chair lift can ensure seniors are not struggling to move from one floor to another .
• Raise the outlets throughout the home . They ’ re easily overlooked , but outlets , particularly those outside the kitchen , tend to be close to the floor . AARP notes that ’ s no accident , as outlets are generally placed at a height equal to the length of a hammer to save time with measuring when buildings are being constructed . Outlets close to the floor can be difficult for seniors with mobility issues to reach . Relocating the outlets a little higher off the floor is not an expensive renovation , but it can make a home more accessible for seniors who have difficulty bending down or getting down on one knee .
• Install door knob extensions . Verywell Health notes that nearly half of all people age 65 and older have arthritis or another rheumatic condition . Arthritis can make it difficult for seniors to grip and turn door knobs . Door knob extensions can make it easier for seniors with arthritis to open the doors in their homes . Such extensions are roughly five-inch levers that can be installed over an existing door knob , making it easier to grab and pull down . Extensions save seniors the hassle of turning the knob , which some may find painful and almost impossible .
• Renovate the bathroom . Bathroom renovation projects can be costly , but seniors with mobility issues should know that bathrooms can pose a particularly dangerous threat . The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that roughly three million older adults are treated for fall injuries in emergency departments each year . A 2019 analysis published in The Journals of Gerontology noted that 22 percent of inhome falls resulted in a change in the person ’ s walking ability . Replacing a step-over shower with a zero-step alternative can make it easier for seniors with mobility issues to get in and out of the shower , thus reducing their risk for falls . Grab bars along shower walls and a chair inside the shower can make it easier to bathe and towel off safely .
Seniors with mobility issues can make their homes more accommodating through an assortment of simple , yet effective renovations .
HUNTSVILLE LIVING | NOVEMBER 2024 | 3