Aging in place is a goal for many older adults who want to maintain their independence and continue living in the comfort of their own homes. With the right planning, modifications, and support, it’s possible to stay in your home safely and comfortably for years to come. In this blog, we’ll explore practical strategies to help you age in place, including home modifications, assistive technologies, and in-home care options that can enhance your quality of life and ensure you remain in a familiar and supportive environment.

What is Aging in Place?

Aging in place refers to the ability of older adults to continue living in their own homes safely, comfortably, and independently for as long as possible. This approach allows seniors to maintain their routines, stay connected to their community, and enjoy a familiar environment as they age. Staying in your own home may require a combination of social support and home care services to ensure you can live safely and independently. Adapting your living space to your needs through essential home modifications is also crucial for successfully aging in place.

According to the 2022 National Poll on Healthy Aging, 88 percent of adults between the ages of 50 and 80 expressed the importance of continuing to live in their homes as they age. However, it is important for seniors and their families to consider their ability to live independently at home and whether they may need to make modifications to the home to make it a safer environment. Certain aging and health challenges can affect everyday activities for older adults inside and outside the home.

Unsafe Aging Conditions

If you have aging loved ones who prefer to age in place, it is important to consider if the condition in their home will allow them to continue living there safely. The risk of falling should be among the biggest concerns. As people grow older, maintaining balance often becomes a challenge due to factors such as physical weakness, medication side effects, and cognitive or visual impairments. What was once a safe and comforting environment, the home, can quickly become hazardous without a proper fall-prevention plan. To ensure your loved one’s safety, it’s important to proactively and routinely evaluate their living space for potential risks to their health and safety.

You should determine whether your loved ones can do the following in a safe manner:

• Go up and down stairs
• Get in and out of the bathtub or shower
• Get up from and sit down on beds, chairs, and toilets
• Reach up and bend down to retrieve items from closets and shelves
• Drive
• Use public transportation
• Maintain and keep up the home
• Manage one’s health

Aging in place requires an individualized plan that carefully considers a person’s functional abilities and any hazards and obstacles in the home. If you or your loved one wants to age in place, safely and comfortably, making practical home modifications may be the most beneficial solution.

Making the Home Safe with Home Modifications

One of the most effective ways to make the home safer for seniors who are aging in place is to make home modifications. The purpose of these modifications is to accommodate any needs your loved ones may have due to vision or hearing impairment, mobility issues, or cognitive decline. Home modifications can also be made in anticipation of future needs and to make the home more comfortable.

Home modifications generally fall under one of the following categories:

• Optional home modifications: These are modifications that are made by older adults as they start to experience or are anticipating changing needs related to aging. This can include adding lighting, removing slick flooring, and decluttering high foot traffic areas.
• Needs based home modifications: These are modifications made to accommodate specific needs related to limited mobility, chronic conditions, or cognitive decline. Examples of needs-based home modifications include widening doorways, installing bathroom grab bars, removing steps from entrances, installing a personal emergency alert system, converting doorknobs into handles, raising electrical outlets, and lowering electrical switches.

Why Modify the Home to Age in Place?

Certain home modifications can go a long way towards making the home into a safer and more comfortable environment to age in place. The following are the main benefits of making home modifications:

• Increased safety: Modifications such as removing loose rugs and installing extra lighting, handrails, and grab bars help make the home safer by reducing the risk of falls.
• Independence: Making the home safer allows seniors who are aging in place to live more independently.
• Flexibility: Your senior loved one’s health needs are bound to change. Making home modifications allows you to accommodate their evolving needs.

Common Home Hazards

Here are the most common hazards that can jeopardize the safety of seniors at home, along with practical solutions to address them.

Inadequate Lighting

Inadequate lighting increases the risk of falling, especially for seniors who are vision impaired. The following are the best ways to resolve this issue:

• Keep lights on in the rooms that are occupied most often.
• Install more light fixtures and use brighter bulbs.
• Put night lights in hallways and other dark areas.
• Open curtains and blinds to let more natural light in during the day.
• Install extra lighting for pathways between the bedroom and bathroom and by stairs.

Throw Rugs and Carpet Edges

Throw rugs and curled up carpet edges are a common trip hazard. You can reduce the risk of falls by using slip-resistant rugs and mats (or adding nonskid matting to existing rugs) and securing curled carpet edges with carpet tape.

Clutter

Areas full of cluttered items are hazardous to walk through. Make sure there is no clutter in the doorways, hallways, or near stairs, and keep surfaces and furniture clear of clutter as well.

Resolving Difficulties at Home

The home modifications that you make to your senior loved one’s home will largely depend on their specific needs based on their abilities and any health issues that may cause difficulties. The following are some of the most common difficulties faced by seniors at home and how to overcome them:

Walking

• Wear shoes and slippers with nonslip soles that grip the floor.
• Consider using a cane or walker to help maintain balance.

Getting In and Out of Chairs and Sofas

• Use sturdy chairs with armrests.
• Add firm foam pads to chairs and sofa seats.

Getting In and Out of Bed

• Move the bed against the wall to prevent it from sliding.
• Replace the existing mattress with a thinner mattress to lower the bed height or a thicker mattress to raise the bed height.
• Install a handrail near the bed.

Getting In and Out of the Bathtub or Shower

• Consider using a tub/ shower chair and installing grab bars. Towel racks should never be used in this way.
• Put nonskid rubber mats or decals on the tub or shower floor.

Getting Objects from Cabinets and Closet Shelves

• Store dishes and kitchen supplies that are used every day within easy reach.
• Keep items no lower than waist level and no higher than shoulder height to avoid excessive bending, stooping, and reaching.
• If you must use a step stool, get one with a bar to hold on to; never use a chair as a step stool.

Walking Up and Down Stairs

• Don’t rush, take your time and look directly at each step.
• Don’t carry large objects that can obstruct vision.
• Carefully place each foot firmly on the steps.
• Clear all items from the steps.
• Install handrails on both sides of every stairway.
• Consider installing extra lighting at the top and bottom of the stairs.

Stages of Accepting Changes to the Home

While you and your family may be ready to make modifications to your loved one’s home, they may not be ready to accept that these modifications are needed. One of the difficulties of aging is accepting when assistance is necessary due to increasing limitations and it may be difficult for your loved ones to go along with the modifications at first.

Your loved ones may go through the following stages to accept and go through with home modifications:

Stage 1: Pre-Contemplative/ Unaware

• Individuals are not interested in change and do not see the need to change. They have no intention of doing anything different.
• People in this stage tend to avoid discussing or thinking about making home modifications.
• Making home modifications should not be attempted at this stage.

Stage 2: Contemplative

• In this stage, seniors start to think about the possible need for changes.
• They recognize there is a problem that requires a solution.
• A trigger event such as a fall may get seniors to this stage.
• They are more open to discussing options to modify the home.

Stage 3: Action

At this stage, seniors are ready to go through with the planned changes and modifications to make their home a safer environment for aging in place.

Stage 4: Maintaining

By this stage, seniors are working to consolidate any changes in their behavior, to maintain the “new” status quo and prevent a worsening of their condition. Praise and positive reinforcement are important.

Home Monitoring Technology

Advancements in technology are enabling seniors to live comfortably and securely at home, offering peace of mind to their families. Home-monitoring technologies are now more accessible than ever, with improved affordability and user-friendly designs, including:

• Sensors: Installing sensors throughout the home can detect a senior’s change in routine, abnormal movements, and falls. Sensor mats under mattresses monitor sleep patterns, heart rate, and breathing.
• Wearable health devices: Health-centric technology that can be worn as wristbands, biometric shirts, goggles, and more measure everything from blood pressure to vision.
• Video monitoring: Elders can check in with relatives and friends via monitoring cameras or video conferencing.
• Mobile apps: Apps on smartphones and other mobile devices can remind older adults to take their medication, measure glucose or skin temperature on the spot, or adjust hearing volume.
• Telemedicine: Video conferencing enables doctors to conduct real-time medical appointments remotely with elderly individuals in their homes. Advanced tools also allow clinicians to monitor heart rhythms from a distance, providing critical support for patients with heart disease or those at risk of stroke or heart attack.
• Home automation: Smart auto-set devices simplify daily tasks such as opening or securing windows and doors, turning off appliances, lowering countertops and shelves, and adjusting home temperature.
• Fall-detection devices: PERS (personal emergency response system) and passive sensors assess whether a fall has taken place and alert others that an individual has fallen.

Home Remodeling Checklist

Beyond basic home modifications, certain remodeling projects can enhance the safety and comfort of your senior loved ones. Below is a checklist of remodeling ideas, ranging from simple updates to more extensive upgrades, designed to create a safer and more comfortable living environment for seniors:

General Household

• Adapt the lower floor of the home for possible one-level living.
• Arrange or remove furniture to allow for clear, wide passageways.
• Place electrical and phone cords out of the way and along the wall.

Bathroom

• Arrange for the shower to have a low threshold for easier entry/exit.
• Add grab bars at the back and sides of the shower, tub, and toilet.
• Make sure the shower or bathtub contains permanent or removable seating; bath benches can help with balance or transferring.
• Allow for turnaround and transfer space for a walker or wheelchair (36 inches x 36 inches).
• Convert to comfort-height toilets that are 2 to 3 inches higher than traditional models.
• Use anchored, decorative grab bars as towel bars.
• Add a nonskid mat or nonslip strips in the shower and/or bathtub.
• Choose out-swing, in-swing, or pocket doors depending on mobility and access issues.
• Reinforce bathroom walls with blocking (i.e., a wood stud or other solid surface) so grab bars can be installed throughout the room.
• Make sure floor rugs are rubber-backed or secured with double-sided rug tape or rubber carpet mesh.
• Install a handheld or adjustable showerhead.
• Place bathroom cabinets and shelves within easy reach.

Bedroom

• Angle the bed in a way that allows for easy access to the bathroom.
• Secure large area rugs to the floor with double-sided tape or nonslip mats.

Closets and Cabinets

• Store medications, food, clothing, and all frequently used items within easy reach so your loved ones do not need to use a stool or ladder to retrieve items.
• Use adjustable rods and shelves in closets and cabinets and consider adding pullout or pull-down shelves and automatic-close drawers.

Entrance/ Exit

• Make sure at least one entry is without steps.
• Support walker/wheelchair access with doorways that are 36 inches wide with offset door hinges.
• Use door handles instead of knobs.
• Make sure patio doors and screens can lock easily.
• Keep exterior pathways free of holes, loose bricks, uneven pavement, leaves, and other tripping/slipping hazards.
• Clear clutter from entrances.
• Make sure doorway thresholds are designed to be non-trip.
• Secure handrails on both sides of all entrance/exit steps.
• Illuminate all exterior pathways, porches, and doorways with exterior lighting.
• Add sensors to outdoor light fixtures to automatically turn lights on at dusk and off at dawn and/or turn on when motion is detected.
• Position a bench near the entrance door to provide a convenient spot for setting down packages while locking or unlocking the door. It also doubles as a comfortable seat for moments of rest.

Flooring

• Use contrasting colors for the floors and walls.
• Use only nonskid, matte-finish flooring.
• Polish floors with non-glare and non-slippery wax.
• Ensure that low-pile carpeting is recessed and level with the surrounding hard flooring.
• Use textured flooring materials to increase traction; carpeting should be low-pile or low-nap for easier walking or rolling over.
• Secure area rugs with a nonslip mat underneath or recess them to be level with surrounding materials.
• Avoid tiles or natural materials like marble that are slippery, especially when wet.
• Reduce noise with wood and cork flooring.

Kitchen

• Equip kitchen cabinets with pullout shelves and a Lazy Susan.
• Install easy-to-grasp cabinet knobs or pulls.
• Make appliances easier to reach; consider a raised dishwasher, a wall oven, refrigerator drawers, and washer and dryer pedestals.
• Replace kitchen cabinets with easier-access drawers and pullout shelves.
• Create a seated workspace in the kitchen by using a table, installing a pullout work surface, or removing the doors and shelves from lower cabinets.
• Use a step stool with nonslip surfaces and a firm grip handle.

Lighting

• Increase incandescent general and specific-task lighting.
• Maintain adequate light levels throughout day and night hours.
• Place automatic, light-sensor night lights in the kitchen, bathroom, and other rooms.
• LED lights provide excellent illumination without overtaxing the wiring circuits and are easily dimmable.
• Add additional lighting to staircases and in hallways, either by plugging automatic light sensor night lights into wall outlets or installing overhead fixtures or wall sconces.
• Use touch-control lamps and devices that automatically turn lights on and off at set times.
• Replace traditional toggle light switches with easier-to-use rocker panel switches.
• Install light switches that glow in the dark.
• Add lighting to closets.
• Use full-spectrum bulbs that simulate daylight.
• Use halogen bulbs to reduce glare.
• Open window shades, blinds, and curtains for natural light during the day.

Seating and Chairs

• Make sure all seating is at least 18 inches off the floor.
• Make standing up easier by choosing chairs with sturdy armrests that extend to the front of the seat for better support.

Stairs and Steps

• Use nonslip adhesive strips on stairs.
• Install safe and secure handrails are on both sides of the stairs placed at a user-appropriate height.
• Ensure that stairway lights can be turned on and off at both the top and bottom of the stairs.
• Ensure exterior stair treads are in good condition and that there are no weak or missing steps, loose bricks, raised nail heads, open backs, etc.
• Make sure carpeted steps have a nonslip surface such as adhesive strips.
• Clear all clutter from the stairs.
• Choose tightly woven, low-pile carpet with thin padding for stairs. Avoid overly busy patterns that could hinder visibility and safety.

How Assisting Hands Home Care Can Help

Aging in place is an achievable goal with careful planning and the right support systems in place. By making essential home modifications, incorporating assistive technology, and utilizing in-home care services, older adults can maintain their independence while ensuring their safety and comfort. With proactive steps and ongoing adjustments, seniors and their families can create a secure and supportive environment that allows them to continue living at home for years to come.

While home modifications can make the home safer for your senior loved ones to age in place, these modifications are no substitute for the care provided by our licensed caregivers at Assisting Hands Home Care. We start by carefully assessing the specific care needs of your loved ones so we can create a tailored care plan that best accommodates their needs. You can trust our caregivers to provide quality, compassionate care to ensure their safety and well-being while also forming a personal connection with your loved ones to be their companion as well as their caregiver.

Our senior home care services include the following:

• Personal care and assistance: Our caregivers assist your loved ones with personal care tasks such as bathing, dressing, toileting, and other personal hygiene activities.
• Transferring: We can help seniors with limited mobility move through the home safely and get in and out of their bed, recliner, or wheelchair.
• Fall prevention: We help reduce the risk of falling by guiding your loved ones through the home and keeping all walkways and stairways free of trip hazards.
• Meal preparation: Our caregivers prepare nutritious meals for your loved ones that follow their dietary requirements.
• Transportation: We provide reliable transportation to take your loved ones to doctor appointments and other important engagements.
• Companionship: Our caregivers take the time to get to know your loved ones through friendly conversations and engage them in their favorite hobbies and activities to form a personal connection.
• Light housekeeping: We can help with housekeeping tasks that may be too difficult for your loved ones such as sweeping, mopping, dusting, washing dishes, doing laundry, and taking out the trash.
• Suggest home modifications: We can assess the safety of the home and suggest additional modifications based on the needs of your loved ones.

Free Consultation

To learn more about our non-medical home health care services in Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Palatine, Elk Grove Village, IL and surrounding areas, contact Assisting Hands Home Care at (847) 448-0844 for a free consultation.