Home Modifications to Help Comfortable Living

As adults age, their homes also grow older. Most homes, however, are not updated to accommodate aging needs. Home adaptation or modification can provide safe living so older occupants may continue to comfortably live in their own home.

Add Accessible Door Handles

Levers are usually easier to grip than round doorknobs, and they don’t require a twisting motion, which is especially helpful for those with limited mobility.

You can find lever-style knobs at home improvement stores and changing doorknobs is an easy task that can be a do-it-yourself task, or you might hire a handyman.

Renovate the Bathroom

As we age, navigating our home can be, literally, a balancing act. When you have a slippery-when-wet bathroom, the appeal of this renovation is obvious. There are two a variety of options but our main focus is

• Walk-in tub: In general, walk-in tubs are safe because they have low thresholds and grab bars to help prevent falls. Built-in seats, anti-slip flooring, and hand-held shower wands add to their safety. Some walk-in tubs even have anti-scald technology.
• Curbless shower: More open than a conventional shower, this design may not involve a door at all for a flow from wall-to-wall creating a seamless look and significantly larger appearance. There is no lip to step or trip over, and the floor slopes slightly toward the drain.
• Grab bars: These heavy bars can help prevent falls because of slippery tubs, shower stalls, and floors. You can generally find grab bars at home improvement stores.
• Replace flooring: Vinyl and linoleum can provide more traction than slick and can be more forgiving when someone falls with the somewhat softer material compared to hard stone floors. Bamboo and cork are also popular, though more expensive. If you don’t have a budget to replace a floor right away, make sure you at least replace or repair any damaged areas. Uneven tiles and other defects pose trip-and-fall hazards for people of all ages.

Improve storage and shelving

You shouldn’t need to strain to use or put away everyday items. Particularly in the kitchen, evaluate the height and placement of the counter, cabinets, drawers, storage racks, and shelving.

• Use dowels or racks to store cookware instead of stacking them, to avoid moving heavy pots and pans.
• Use easier to reach well-mounted wall hooks
• Slide-out shelving are more accessible than cabinets that require you to crouch or reach.