Although there
are now more housing options than ever for the increasing
over-55 population, many seniors wish to remain in the home
they have lived in for most of their lives.
The Remodelers Council of the National Association of Home
Builders and AARP have developed the certified-aging-in-place
program to help consumers who require modifications to allow
them to remain safely and comfortably in their present home.
Modifications may include bath and tub bars, new higher
toilets, nonskid floors, adjustment of countertop heights,
and the creation of first-floor suites.
Before initiating extensive
modifications, it is necessary to determine if the overall
cost will outprice the home for the area and what it may
mean in additional taxes. Some homes are simply too out
of date to be made appropriate for a senior’s lifestyle.
Safety and security are prime
considerations as we age. Is the neighborhood safe and does
it supply a variety of services? Additionally, the location
may require the individual to drive, a skill that can deteriorate
with age or illness.
What about the size and layout
of the house? More space means more area to heat in winter
and cool in summer.
An injury can make navigating
stairs (either in or leading up to the house) an impossibility.
Could the house be adapted
for one-floor living? Perhaps, if local zoning ordinances
permit, the second floor could become a rental unit. Is
the home cheery with plenty of large windows and can you
look out of a window while in bed? Is there convenient access
from bedroom to bathroom and does the bathroom door open
out to prevent blocked access in case of an emergency?
Sometimes all that is needed
are some simple modifications such as offset hinges which
can widen doorways by 2 inches, light switch extenders to
make switches easier to reach, lower clothing bars in the
closet so clothes may be reached more readily, and hand
rails on both sides of the stairs to prevent falls.
A significant number of builders
are now including aging-in-place features in homes or condominiums
- especially adult communities or senior apartments. Features
to look for are:
- One-level living with
wide doorways, flush doorsills and no-step entrances.
- Pocket doors between rooms.
- Easy to use controls and
lever handles. Raised electrical outlets and thermostats
with large, easy-to-read numbers.
- Bigger bathrooms with special
safety features such as grab bars, no slip floors, high-rise
toilets, walk-in showers with pull-down seats.
- Improved lighting with
multiple controls to limit trips to turn lights on and
off. Dimmers and task lighting which put light directly
over area in use.
- Easy-to-understand oven
controls located so it is not necessary to reach over
hot burners.
- A high faucet or spray
to permit filling large pots from a work counter.
- Areas where meal preparation
can be made sitting down.
- Pull-out shelves for easy
access to storage.
We need to start thinking
about remodeling or moving before frailty or a health crisis
occurs. Often, when a decision is made is as important as
the decision, itself. Minimally, it is imperative to make
sure your present home is not an accident waiting to happen.
For additional information
on senior communities or where to obtain a home safety evaluation,
contact me at the address below.
Next week: What to look for
when choosing an assisted-living facility.
Jean Cherni
is founder of Senior Living Solutions, a retirement advisory
service. Contact her at jeancherni@sbcglobal.net or
15 The Ponds, Branford 06405. H. Pearce Company REALTORS®
is a full-service real estate company with more than 100
agents and branch offices in greater New Haven and the Shoreline.
Corporate and & Commercial offices are located in North
Haven, where the company was founded in 1958. All listings
can be found in color on the web at: www.hpearce.com. |
