Articles
Making A Home Senior Friendly
Many older Americans want to age in place, to live in their homes
rather than relocate to a nursing home or an assisted living facility.
But often times, older adults don’t have a working knowledge of
or access to home- and community-based services that promote independent
living.
In early October 2007, a consumer awareness campaign aptly named
National Aging In Place occurred, stimulating older Americans
and their relatives to discuss a whole range of livability issues.
What are the topics that relatives and older Americans should
broach?
According to the National Aging in Place Council (NAIPC), those
topics include: home safety and fitness; financial planning and
budgeting; in-home healthcare and chore services; home accessibility
issues; reverse mortgages; and transportation and meal services,
among others.
Indeed, many older Americans will need to make their homes “senior
friendly.” Entry ways, bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, lighting,
and the yard all need to be examined and remodeled if need be.
The NAIPC, for instance, recommends remodeling homes such that
they have barrier-free entry ways, including no-step entries,
no-step thresholds, and garage lifts. For its part, the NAIPC
reports that barrier-free entryways make it easier for a family
member or friend who uses a wheelchair, or a grandchild who’s
on crutches.
In addition, the NAIPC recommends making one’s bathrooms and
bedrooms safe and comfortable. The NAIPC suggests the following
modifications to a bathroom: build a roll-in shower with multiple
showerheads (height adjustable handheld showerhead and fixed);
lower the bathroom sink and make sure there’s proper knee clearance;
install an elevated toilet and grab bars. The following modifications
should be made to a bedroom: make sure there’s ample maneuvering
clearance; build a walk-in closet with storage at differing heights;
and install rocker light switches that are easier to turn on compared
to a more common flip switch.
Kitchens likewise need to be “user-friendly.” For instance, the
NAIPC suggests that older Americans who want to age in place ensure
there’s ample maneuvering space; vary the height of countertops;
install a sink with knee clearance; install a raised dishwasher,
lower cooking surfaces; and mount a wall oven or microwave at
reachable heights.
Besides remodeling, it’s important that older Americans consider
the risks that come with aging in place. For instance, people
often misjudge their chances of developing a debilitating health
condition or they underestimate the cost and length of the services
they may need as a result. “Too much optimism or denial can lead
to poor planning,” the NAIPC says.
It’s important that older Americans also estimate the cost of
home care by evaluating what, if any, access they have to family
and friends who can serve as “unpaid” health aides as well as
the cost of paid health aides in their specific area. The cost
of living at home increases dramatically if there is no access
to “unpaid” help. For instance, a person who needs just a few
hours of help from a home health aide in the morning and at night
could easily spend $72 per day, or $2,160 per month, according
to the NAIPC. On the other hand, Meals On Wheels programs, which
usually ask for only a voluntary donation, have been responsible
for helping many stay well nourished and at home when shopping
and cooking become difficult or impossible.
To be sure, older Americans will need to consider living at home
with a chronic condition or conditions. For instance, the National
Council on Aging noted in a 2005 study that 13 percent of homeowners
age 62 and older (2.5 million) need help with activities of daily
living (ADLs) or instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs)
and 16 percent have difficulty with these everyday activities,
while still being able to do them on their own. The U.S. Dept.
Health and Human Services and Alzheimer’s Association report that
more than two-thirds of all older people who need help with everyday
tasks live at home, including more than 70 percent of those with
Alzheimer’s disease.
Not surprisingly, the NAIPC reports that a chronic health condition
can limit a person’s ability to age in place. But it’s important
to determine the level of impairment. Those who need help with
ADLs have limitations that require daily attention. These include
feeding oneself, bathing, dressing, transferring from a bed to
chair, and using the bathroom safely. Meanwhile, those who need
help with IADLs have limitations with activities such as shopping,
cleaning, cooking, using the telephone, and money management.
These can often be accomplished with intermittent help. The marketplace
is responding to the Aging in Place trend with new products, easy
to open containers and more services. Ultimately, difficulty with
household activities is often a sign that the elder is becoming
frail and that they will need more help in the future.
When planning the home care needs for someone who needs such
help, it’s also very important to remember that family and spouses
also need a break from the incredibly hard work - mentally and
physically - of taking care of a loved one around the clock. Even
if it is only for an occasional night off or a long weekend to
“recharge the batteries”, the family helpers can use a few hours
of home care support now and then. It should be part of the planning
and the budget.
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