While aging in place is a popular choice for seniors who prefer the familiarity and comfort of their homes, it’s not always the safest choice. Older adults who live alone can be at risk of isolation, falls, and inadequate medical care.
When homes are thoroughly inspected and renovated to eliminate as many fall hazards as possible, it provides peace of mind and a pain-free, safe environment for older adults to thrive. Some of the most common home features can be difficult for older adults to navigate.
Learning what they are is an ideal first step to senior-proofing any living space.
Stairs
Staircases are a common feature in homes, but they can be incredibly hazardous when aging in place. Climbing stairs can be painful and difficult for individuals with mobility issues, as it can create a fall risk due to steep steps or inadequate handrails. Many older adults age in place in homes with stairs, but as mobility declines, stairs may become inaccessible for some. Some work around this by installing a stair chairlift or simply moving the older adult to the downstairs part of the home. Installing proper handrails that are easy to grasp can also be helpful.
Tight Spaces
Older homes are often more compartmentalized, and when combined with a small floor plan, this can result in some fairly tight spaces. Certain rooms or hallways can be incredibly cramped and difficult to navigate, especially with furniture and belongings added. If it’s difficult for you to navigate, it will be even more so for an aging loved one. Mobility aids tend to be wider than the average person, especially wheelchairs and walkers, making tight spaces even more challenging to navigate. Shuffling or squeezing through a cramped hallway can also be a fall hazard. If a nurse provides an at-home visit, it can be difficult for them to access the patient in cramped spaces. If there isn’t enough room, they may not be able to perform at-home blood draws or other important steps in a check-up. You’ll want to make as much room as possible in these spaces, as the home may not be suitable for your loved one otherwise.
Slippery Flooring
Certain floor types can be easier to clean than others, especially if you have messy children or pets. Carpet requires a lot of cleaning to handle messes, while hard floors, such as vinyl, hardwood, or tile, only need a simple vacuuming or mopping. Unfortunately, hard floors can be incredibly slick to walk on when you have limited mobility or the surface is wet. The glossier the floor is, the more likely it is to be a fall hazard for an aging loved one. You can swap out the floor for a more textured surface or add some flat rugs with grips to combat the issue.
High Bathtubs
Bathtubs are a luxurious and highly sought-after feature for many homebuyers, but you’ll want to pay attention to the height of the tub and how difficult it is to get in and out of. The average non-disabled adult can step in and out of a bathtub with ease, but an older adult with limited mobility can find the task challenging. When you add slick, wet bathtub surfaces, you can create a major fall hazard. Bathtubs with lower entry points can help mitigate this issue. Some bathtubs can be installed with doors that open up to allow seamless entry. Non-slip mats in the bathtub can provide tremendous help. Adding a shower chair can also help support an older adult while they bathe.
Dim Mood Lighting
Thanks to smart light bulbs and LED technology, a home’s lighting can come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and brightness levels. While this customization can make a home tailored and fun, it can be dangerous for an older adult who needs a higher brightness level to navigate the home. Dim or dark lighting can make it difficult to see ordinary objects, such as tables, rugs, or other furniture, which can cause falls or painful collisions. If you have an older adult living at home, you may want to program the lighting to be bright enough for them to see thoroughly. Motion-activated lighting can help as well.
Round Doorknobs
While round doorknobs can be a stylish and simple feature, they’re not ideal for everyone. If your older loved one has dexterity concerns stemming from arthritis or other conditions, it may be difficult for them to grip and turn the knob. You’ll either want to leave doors unlatched or install lever-style handles to make it easier to open doors for all types of dexterity levels. If dementia becomes a concern, you can also install door latches that keep older adults from wandering without supervision.
Uneven Floors
Home foundations and flooring may not be perfectly even, especially over door thresholds. Any mobility device that is difficult for an older adult to lift can be blocked at uneven thresholds. For major gaps, an uneven threshold ramp or floor mat can make it easier to use mobility devices or walk into other rooms without worrying about falls. Sloping or sagging floors may require some renovations to address, especially if there are structural problems that can affect the safety of the home.
Conclusion
Many seniors opt to age in place at home, providing them with the comfort of familiar surroundings. You need to prepare a house for an aging loved one, as some everyday features can be tricky for them to navigate. Slick or uneven floors can easily result in falls. Tall bathtubs, dim lighting, or tight spaces can limit independent navigation. Something as simple as a round doorknob can block an older adult from entering a space. Make sure you clean up any living space where your loved one plans to age in place. Ensure there is plenty of room to navigate and the floors have decent traction. When you’re vigilant about potential hazards, aging in place becomes a safe and simple choice.