Staying Fit
Matt Chase
Ask someone over age 65 where they’d like to live for the rest of their lives, and chances are pretty good 9 out of 10 will tell you: Right here. In other words, at home, meaning the one they’re occupying right now. That’s according to AARP's Home and Community Preferences Survey. Unfortunately, only about 10 percent of homes nationwide are 100 percent prepared for senior living. That preparation includes a step-free entry, bed and bath on the first floor and at least one bathroom with safety and accessibility features like grab bars and a built-in shower seat.
The disconnect means that many people (more than 75 percent, ) will, in fact, age in places that are less than 100 percent prepared to welcome them. But, experts note, you can make several inexpensive and fairly easy changes to your homes that will make them safer and friendlier for aging in place. Here are four inexpensive ones and one pricier one that’s worth putting high on your list.
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1. Consider the carpeting
“When you’re talking about living in your home as long as you’re physically able, the number one concern is safety,” said Mark Hager, founder of Ageinplace.com. “Your flooring matters.”
Rugs, he notes, are more of a hazard than carpeting – throw rugs, in particular. Get rid of them. If you’re unwilling to do that, look for carpet adhesive to attach them as securely as possible to the floor below.
“In a perfect world, there would be no carpeting either,” he said, but since that’s unlikely, look at your nearby big box home stores for “beveled” transition strips that ease the way from carpeting to tile, linoleum or other surfaces. They range in price (depending on length and material) from about $10 to about $30.
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2. Look to lighting
The more natural light you can get into your home, the better. It’s not just helpful for seeing — but can be an important mood booster, particularly in the winter months. That may mean lightening up your drapes, painting walls in brighter colors or adding mirrors to reflect light around the room. It can also mean adding artificial light where you need it. Brighter, energy-efficient LED bulbs are an easy, inexpensive switch. According to Energy.gov, LEDs use 90 percent less energy and last up to 25 times longer than incandescent lights. Making the switch helps homeowners save typically $1,000 or more over 10 years, according to the Consumer Federation of America. Hager suggests installing motion sensor lights along your path from bed to the bathroom at night for safety. Light strips with sensors that go on the bottom of your bedrail and come on when your feet hit the ground are also available.
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