There will eventually come a time when you'll need to start considering how you're going to spend your senior years. Do you want to stay in your current home or move to a more practical one? Either way, you'll need to age-proof your home to ensure you are safe as you get older.
1. Get Rid of Clutter
The older you get, the more your possessions can become overwhelming. As you age, you accumulate more and more, and they can ultimately end up taking up too much room. When you are aging in place, it's important to have the space you need and not have too much clutter or too many items that you need to get rid of. The sooner you start decluttering, the easier it will be.
Go room by room and figure out what you want to give to family members, throw away, sell, and donate. If this seems like a daunting task, get assistance from family members to help you sort and decide where each item goes.
2. Make Modifications
Make modifications to your home to make it more accessible in case your mobility becomes an issue.
"Find aging-in-place renovation experts through the National Association of Homebuilders, which has a directory of Certified Aging in Place experts, or CAPS," says Yvette Hammett at Kiplinger. (1) "This includes contractors, interior designers, occupational therapists and others. Check reviews before choosing a contractor. You can do this at Angi.com. If the worker is licensed, you should also check with your state licensing authority. The choices and renovations required may become overwhelming at times, but preparing to age in place does not need to be overly complicated if you seek help from family and professionals."
3. Reduce Potential for Slips and Falls
Decluttering and modifications can factor into reducing the risk of slips and falls, but there are other things you can do. Use non-skid mats, strips, or carpet where the floor might get wet. Remove any rugs or other obstacles from the floor that could lead to tripping. Keep areas well-lit where you might walk at night. A night light in the bathroom can help you see if you need to get up in the middle of the night. Keeping a flashlight by your bed can be useful.
Make sure all handrails and grab bars are secure. Look for damage to steps and walkways inside and out and have them repaired if necessary.
4. Prepare the First Floor
If you live in a home with more than one floor, it might be worth it to move to a single-story home. This way you won't have to navigate stairs or install any lifts. If you want to stay in your multi-floor home, however, you may still have options for keeping the majorityof your living on the ground level.
"Going up and down stairs multiple times a day can become challenging as we age," says Janet Siroto at Consumer Reports. (2) "So, in the best of all worlds, you’d have a bedroom and full bath on the first floor. If not, do you have the space to create such a primary suite? A bedroom can often be carved out of a family room or den. Or you might be able to use a dining room, an alcove, or even part of the living room. A temporary wall can help. And if there’s already a powder room on the first floor of your home, think about whether a shower could be installed inside it."
5. Arrange Items for Easy Access
Make sure items that you use on a regular basis are easily accessible. You want to minimize situations where you have to stretch too far to reach something or get up on a stepladder. Go through your home and consider optimizing your arrangements so that you can get what you need on your own as you age.
6. Make It Comfortable
While precautions are necessary for safety, don't forget to make your home comfortable. It is, after all, still your home and the place you've decided you want to spend the rest of your life. You should still be able to enjoy your time there, even if things are going to be a little different. Make sure you're happy with your bed and other furniture. Keep the decor the way you like it, and keep your home stocked with the goods that bring you happiness.
Take the necessary steps to make sure you are both safe and comfortable. Age-proofing can make living where you are a legitimate option, no matter your age.
1. https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/how-to-make-your-home-safer-as-you-age
2. https://www.consumerreports.org/home-garden/home-safety/how-to-age-proof-your-home-a6207544241/