What Are Home Modifications & Aging in Place?
What is Aging in Place?
Most people choose to remain in their homes as they age. Homes that were comfortable and supportive in the past need to adapt and change, addressing our individual needs as we get older or face illness or disability. Among people aged 65 and older, falls are the number one cause of injury, often because their long-time home no longer works for them.
One in three older adults falls each year, with more than half of all falls occurring in and around the home.
Research shows that the optimal way to reduce fall risks for people at moderate to high risk of falls includes medication management, physical activity, and home modification.
What is Home Modification?
Home modification refers to converting or adapting the environment in order to make performing tasks easier, reduce accidents, and support independent living. Home modification, ranging from low-cost to more expensive adaptations, includes removing hazards, adding special features or assistive devices, moving furnishings, changing where activities occur and renovations. You can find more information on home modifications and local resources at this site from the University of Southern California.
What Are Some Typical Home Modifications?
• Safe entry/egress: ramps, vertical platform lift, outdoor stairlifts
• Managing stairs: handrails/stairlifts/elevator
• Bathroom redesign, renovation or modification with equipment
• Relocation of bedroom to another living area of the home
• Safe home/technology features
Our Work
Creating a Home for Life
Helping Clients Age-in-Place
Problem
An active middle-age couple wants to age-in-place and make their home accessible for themselves and for guests. They asked for solutions that will make the best use of their property, budget and long-term health considerations.
Solution
Homeowners were presented with four options:
Short term/immediate modification needs for safety and accessibility.
Design ideas for partial renovation to a first floor powder room and access into the house for wheelchair “visitability”
Sketches for a first floor addition and full renovation;
Extensive remodel and building design options that included some “wishlist” items.
Homeowners were given a thorough list of product resources, information regarding home tax credits through the Montgomery County Design for Life initiative and recommendations for experienced local contractors.
Assisting Decision-Making
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
Problem
Homeowners and adult children are questioning the cost-benefit of a full renovation vs. moving into in order to address their long-term, changing needs.
Solution
Specific recommendations were given for homeowner’s health challenges. Recommendations addressed lighting, flooring; doorway access and falls risk prevention and recommendations/design of a first floor primary suite. Design options provided included plans for future live-in caregivers. Resources were provided for SMART home options, durable medical products and contractors.
Are My Parents Safe at Home?
Problem
Concerned adult children who live out-of-town wonder if their mother with dementia and caregiving father are at risk for falls and are safe at home.
Solution
After consultation, recommendations were given to address immediate concerns for safe functioning in the areas of showering, negotiation of stairs, toileting, communication during emergencies, bed transfers, locomotion and vision. The report provided recommendations for easily addressed remedial issues and solutions requiring a contractor.
A detailed report was provided in writing and in-depth phone conference calls were held with out-of-town children and the caregiving parent.
Ready to Get Started?
Schedule your free initial phone consultation today!
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“By providing both immediate advice as well as a comprehensive written report, the recommendations were both timely and precise.” -KS
“She understands the questions you have and has thought of the answers already. She’s two steps ahead. No one else could help me with this at the time. She was invaluable.” -MG