Smart guide to aging in place | members only access

GETTING TO WORK 12. EMBRACE UNIVERSAL DESIGN The principles of universal design are about creating spaces that are functional for everyone, regardless of age or ability. NAHB provides

examples of features commonly incorporated into aging-in-place remodels: no-step entries that don’t require stairs; one-story living that locates kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms on a single

level; wide doorways and hallways that accommodate large people and objects, including wheelchairs; and open floor plans with ample space to maneuver between furniture and around corners.

13. START OUTSIDE For many older adults, walking from the driveway to the front door can be treacherous, so it’s important to consider the exterior when you’re evaluating the long-term

safety of your home. Lilly says a major priority outside is level surfaces, and she stresses the importance of repairing sidewalk cracks, a major tripping hazard. It’s crucial to eliminate

curbs and irregular surfaces — think stone paths and brick walkways — for the same reason. Good visibility also is critical, so bright landscape lighting is essential for sidewalks, pathways

and porches. Be mindful of needs specific to your region, Kopec says. In the Midwest and Northeast, slippery surfaces are a seasonal concern, especially in winter. Improvements such as

heated driveways or hand railings along sidewalks can help. 14. MAKE ENTRIES EASIER If the path to your front door is steep or has lots of stairs, a ramp might be a good idea, Lilly says,

especially if you have or anticipate having mobility issues. If a ramp isn’t feasible, make stairs safer by installing secure handrails on both sides of stairways for support. Widening

doorways can make a big difference for those with mobility aids, she adds. Aim to have at least one entrance that is “zero-step.” “It’s a gait issue,” explains Lilly, who says a zero-step

entry with a flat threshold reduces trip-and-fall hazards. “As we get older, we tend to drag our feet a little bit more. We shuffle,” she says. “So a flat surface is safer.” A bench is a

nice finishing touch, Lilly notes. “A bench … beside the front door is a very common way that we can make it easier to put purses and groceries down while we open a door,” she says. 15. GET

A GRIP For a simple and low-cost aging-in-place improvement, replace doorknobs with lever-style handles, Black says. “People who have arthritis of the hands really aren’t able to grip

doorknobs anymore, but they can do levers,” she notes. “A lever is a great example of universal design because it works for people of all ages and abilities.” 16. SECURE AREA RUGS Because

rugs are dangerous tripping hazards, Lilly recommends removing all of them from a home to create stable, even surfaces. “Area rugs are the No. 1 risk in a home,” she says. “Area rugs should

either be donated or thrown in the trash.” If you can’t bear to part with your rugs, make sure they’re low pile — high-pile rugs are bigger tripping dangers — and secured to the floor with a

nonslip mat or anti-slip rug tape, Kopec says. Avoid curling edges and corners that are easy to stumble over. 17. COMBAT CLUTTER Clutter can be just as dangerous as rugs, according to

Lilly. She recommends removing excess furniture and belongings — especially those that block your home’s major arteries. “Decluttering can significantly enhance safety by reducing tripping

hazards and making the home easier to navigate” and essential items easier to find when you need them, Lilly says. 18. BOLSTER YOUR BATHROOMS Bathrooms are wet and slippery, making them

hazardous places for older adults prone to falls and fall-related injuries. That’s why Kopec says bathrooms should get a big slice of a homeowner’s aging-in-place budget. To keep bathrooms

safe, he recommends doorless roll-in showers, which can accommodate walkers and wheelchairs, with flat, no-step thresholds that reduce tripping risks; bidet systems to simplify toilet

hygiene; hand showers or shower wands to make it easier to wash hard-to-reach body parts; and built-in shower benches, which give people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),

emphysema and other health conditions a safe place to sit when they feel short of breath. In addition to grab bars next to toilets and on shower walls, Lilly suggests comfort-height toilets,

which are easier for older adults to sit down on and stand up from. Other smart ideas include slip-resistant strips on shower floors and either lever-style or touchless bathroom faucets for

people with arthritis.  19. CREATE A MORE COMFORTABLE KITCHEN The kitchen is the heart of many homes, so it’s a natural spot for strategic improvements. Black says two of the most

functional are swapping out drawer and cabinet handles — D-shaped ones are easier to grasp than knobs — and lowering counters to seat height. The latter makes it easier to reach objects on

countertops, keeps appliances accessible for wheelchair users and allows you to sit during strenuous tasks such as chopping and mixing. Kopec suggests a cooktop with a separate oven, built

in at a higher level: “That way, when you’re taking something out of the oven, you just take one step and place it on the counter, without twisting or bending over.” If a range is your only

option, consider one with a double oven, and try to use the top one more than the bottom one. Kopec also suggests a sink with a sprayer that’s long enough to reach the top of the stove. That

lets you fill pots with water and avoid the strain of carrying them. Finally, replace lower cabinets with ergonomic pullout shelves, Lilly suggests. They’re easier to access. 20. MAKE YOUR

LIVING ROOM MORE LIVABLE One of the most important considerations in living rooms is lighting, according to Kopec. He says the ambient light from lamps might not be bright enough — and the

cords can create tripping hazards. Instead, he recommends overhead lighting operated by a remote control — a ceiling fan with an attached light fixture, for example. Hardwired fixtures such

as wall sconces can provide bright, cord-free illumination. In living rooms that get a lot of sun, the problem might be too much light, Kopec notes. If glare makes it hard to see where

you’re stepping, sheer curtains can help, he says. Finally, consider updating your living room furniture. Get rid of pieces with sharp corners that can cause injuries and bring in sofas and

chairs with armrests. These provide support when you’re sitting down or standing up. While you’re at it, avoid seating that’s too low or too deep; chairs and couches should be tall and

shallow enough that they’re easy to stand up from. 21. BATTEN DOWN YOUR BEDROOM Your bed should also be at the right height for ease of access, Kopec says. “You want to make sure that your

bed is not too high or too low,” he says. “When you’re sitting on the edge, the back of your knee should be on the edge of the mattress and your foot should be flat on the floor. That’s the

ideal height for a bed.” An adjustable bed can give you an extra boost when you’re getting up in the morning. Likewise, a handrail next to the bed provides extra support when you’re standing

up. So does furniture such as nightstands or bookshelves, but make sure they’re secured to the wall so they don’t tip over, Kopec adds. Also, you need a clear and well-lit path from the bed

to the bathroom, Lilly points out. That might require repositioning your bed, installing handrails you can grab as you traverse the room or purchasing motion-activated night-lights to guide

you in the dark. 22. MAKE STAIRS AND HALLWAYS SAFER The safest stairs are no stairs at all, according to Lilly — she recommends single-level living if possible. If it’s not possible,

consider installing a stair lift. If a lift isn’t feasible, make movement safer by installing handrails on both sides of the stairs. Put adhesive nonslip treads or a low-pile carpet runner

on the steps, and add motion-activated night-lights so you can see where you’re stepping. (Handrails and night-lights are also a good idea in long hallways.) Though stairs can be serious

fall hazards for older adults, they can also provide beneficial exercise, according to Kopec. “Not all people have knee problems or balance issues,” he says. “There are some people who are

older who will go up and down the stairs two or three times in a row as part of their daily exercise regime. That’s contributing to their muscle strength within their legs, as well as the

growth of their stabilizer muscles, which are the smaller muscles that cause us to go backward and forward. Doing that type of exercise, if you can, is really important to your overall

health and well-being.” 23. MIND YOUR PETS For older adults, pets can provide exercise, support and companionship. Unfortunately, they can also be dangerous tripping hazards. “You have no

idea how many people I know who have ended up in the emergency room because they tripped over their animal,” Black says. It’s important to weigh the benefits of pet ownership with the risks.

And if you do opt for a pet, make appropriate accommodations, Kopec says. Cat owners, for example, might raise their kitty’s litter box to avoid squatting or bending over to clean it. Smart

home technology can include built-in safety features, like home monitoring and emergency assistance. Getty Images GET HIGH-TECH HELP 24. GET SMART ABOUT SMART HOMES Homes full of

internet-connected objects — from appliances, thermostats and doorbells to TVs, lights and window treatments — aren’t just smarter. They might also be safer, says Abbie Richie, tech guru at

the Smarter Service, which provides technological concierge services to older adults, senior living communities and active adult communities. “I don’t think we could talk about aging in

place without talking about tech,” Richie says, citing voice-activated digital assistants such as Google Home and Amazon Echo, best known for the voice of “Alexa.” Once you have the proper

setup, you can program smart assistants to do compatible everyday tasks, including opening blinds, turning on lights and locking doors, with just the sound of your voice. That’s a major

asset for people with disabilities or other mobility challenges. Most smart assistants come with safety features such as home monitoring and emergency assistance. The former allows

caregivers and loved ones to check in on you remotely; the latter lets you call for help in case of a fall or other emergency. 25. EXPLORE ASSISTIVE DEVICES With most smart home devices,

comfort and convenience are front and center. With assistive devices, safety is the main attraction. A common example is a medical alert system, such as Life Alert, Medical Guardian or One

Call Alert. A medical alert system is typically considered when an individual requires a dedicated emergency response service with a wearable pendant or bracelet, Sokolsky says, adding that

these systems are best for individuals who have mobility issues, are at risk for falls or have a history of medical emergencies. This option is suitable for older adults who may not have the

ability or desire to interact with technology extensively, she says. Richie says other examples include electronic medication reminders and dispensers, and fall-detection systems that use

radar-based in-home sensors to track your vital signs and monitor for accidents. 26. GET A DOSE OF TELEHEALTH Since the COVID-19 pandemic, most older adults have probably had at least one

virtual telehealth appointment with a medical provider. “Telehealth is here to stay,” Richie says. “It provides so many conveniences for an older adult with limited mobility, and also anyone

with limited immunity who just doesn’t want to risk going out for a routine checkup.” Although most people access telehealth through their computer or smartphone, Richie says it will become

increasingly common to have virtual health appointments through your television via remote caregiving platforms such as JubileeTV, Uniper and Independa Health Hub.  27. KEEP AN EYE ON

‘AGETECH’ AARP’s AgeTech Collaborative — an ecosystem of investors and start-ups — defines AgeTech as “a growing category of technology solutions designed to meet the needs of the world’s

aging population” and “make the process of aging easier.” Examples include smart home features, assistive devices and telehealth applications. If you’re interested in how emerging

technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, wearables and the metaverse might help you age in place, you might want to pay attention to AgeTech. Meal preparation and delivery

could be available to you through in-home services. Getty Images WHERE TO FIND RESOURCES 28. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IN-HOME SERVICES Many in-home services — including medical care, help with

personal hygiene, meal preparation and more — are available to help you continue living in your home, even when everyday tasks get more difficult. “Some people can manage everything, but

maybe they need somebody to deliver groceries to their home or somebody to come in and do the housekeeping,” Black says. “It’s OK to need a little bit of help.” AARP has a comprehensive

collection of resources for in-home caregiving. 29. GET CAPABLE CAPABLE (which stands for Community Aging in Place — Advancing Better Living for Elders) is an evidence-based, client-driven

fall-prevention program that was created in 2009 by the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. It takes a holistic approach to aging in place. Offered free to qualifying older adults, the four- to

five-month in-home program marries assistance from three different but complementary professional helpers: an occupational therapist who helps people find better ways of doing everyday

tasks, a registered nurse who consults on health matters, and a handyperson who makes needed home modifications. Instead of coming into a home, diagnosing aging-in-place obstacles and fixing

them, CAPABLE practitioners ask clients to identify their challenges. Then they work together to analyze why the clients are experiencing those challenges and what modifications — not only

to their home but also to their behavior — might help. “Together, we’re problem-solving and brainstorming,” says occupational therapist Amanda Goodenow, strategic partnership specialist for

the CAPABLE National Center. “The overarching goal of the CAPABLE program is to teach the client how to use that methodology — problem-solving and brainstorming, breaking down the issue,

then coming up with a solution — so that when future challenges come up, they don’t feel stuck.” The CAPABLE program is available only in select states where specific entities have obtained

funding to offer it. Eventually, the program may be available nationwide and fully covered through Medicare and Medicaid. 30. LEVERAGE GOVERNMENT RESOURCES Local, state and federal agencies

can connect you with valuable information and vital services. At the federal level, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living offers the Eldercare

Locator, a nationwide service that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trusted local support resources. Affiliated with the Eldercare Locator are more than 600 Area Agencies

on Aging (AAA); in communities across the country, they coordinate and offer services that help older adults remain in their homes. 31. SEE WHAT’S AVAILABLE IN YOUR COMMUNITY Be sure to

check with your city or county government to see what they’re doing to help older adults age in place. One program is the “villages” movement, which began in Boston in 2002 and has spread to

more than 250 communities across the U.S. The city of Fairfax, in Virginia, provides a typical example of the concept in action. Officials describe Fairfax Village in the City as “a

city-supported, volunteer-driven program developed to support … residents aged 55 and older … who wish to stay independent while remaining in their homes.” As part of the program, the

Village recruits vetted city-based volunteers who provide personal services including check-in calls and visits, help with yard work, technology assistance and transportation to

appointments. As explained on the city’s website, “The goal … is to support healthy aging by sharing useful information, strengthening personal connections between neighbors and providing

opportunities for social interaction.”