Eight Ways To Make a House Elder-Friendly
Sam Chapman
September 10, 2007
My parents, just like many other people, are aging. My younger brother and I visited them a couple of months ago and decided to make some changes to make their house a little friendlier for them. As our population ages, many children of aging parents should do the same thing. Here is a list of eight things you can do to help your own aging parents.
1) Eliminate throw rugs. It is way too easy to catch a foot on a throw run and fall. Throw rugs also can bunch up, creating another tripping hazard.
2) Install grab bars in bathrooms. They should be fitted per ADA guidelines and anchored solidly in walls. Grab bars should be installed by toilets and in bathtubs and showers.
3) Change door knobs to lever handles. Arthritic or weakened hands can have a difficult time grasping and turning a door knob.
4) Elevate the dishwasher, washing machine and clothes dryer. This will help to eliminate bending. Simple pedestals can be put in place under the washer and dryer. The dishwasher might take a bit more work, but it can be done and it can even look pretty good.
5) Change dual water faucets to single-handle lever faucets. Nor only is the single-handle lever easier to use than a knob, but there may be lesser of a likelihood of burning one’s self.
6) Make sure that all steps and stairs have good rails on both sides wherever possible.
7) Light everything up. Put night lights in wall outlets. Make sure entry ways have adequate lighting. Place lights by steps both inside and outside. Make sure all rooms have adequate lighting. Make sure that there is adequate outdoor lighting for all porches and paths.
8) Builders should do all of this and more in new homes. New construction should have halls and doors wide enough for wheelchairs. Light switches should be lower on the wall so someone in a wheelchair can access them easily. The switches should also be rocker switches rather than the up and down toggle switches. Showers should be built so that there is a very minimal step to go over.
Most of these you can do yourself. A few others you will need to hire someone to do. But all in all, much of this pretty simple and inexpensive. Whether your parents are in an
1) Eliminate throw rugs. It is way too easy to catch a foot on a throw run and fall. Throw rugs also can bunch up, creating another tripping hazard.
2) Install grab bars in bathrooms. They should be fitted per ADA guidelines and anchored solidly in walls. Grab bars should be installed by toilets and in bathtubs and showers.
3) Change door knobs to lever handles. Arthritic or weakened hands can have a difficult time grasping and turning a door knob.
4) Elevate the dishwasher, washing machine and clothes dryer. This will help to eliminate bending. Simple pedestals can be put in place under the washer and dryer. The dishwasher might take a bit more work, but it can be done and it can even look pretty good.
5) Change dual water faucets to single-handle lever faucets. Nor only is the single-handle lever easier to use than a knob, but there may be lesser of a likelihood of burning one’s self.
6) Make sure that all steps and stairs have good rails on both sides wherever possible.
7) Light everything up. Put night lights in wall outlets. Make sure entry ways have adequate lighting. Place lights by steps both inside and outside. Make sure all rooms have adequate lighting. Make sure that there is adequate outdoor lighting for all porches and paths.
8) Builders should do all of this and more in new homes. New construction should have halls and doors wide enough for wheelchairs. Light switches should be lower on the wall so someone in a wheelchair can access them easily. The switches should also be rocker switches rather than the up and down toggle switches. Showers should be built so that there is a very minimal step to go over.
Most of these you can do yourself. A few others you will need to hire someone to do. But all in all, much of this pretty simple and inexpensive. Whether your parents are in an
Print
Email
