Many seniors with mobility issues want to age at home. That’s why a significant market has flourished in recent years, aimed at home improvements for seniors. Some modifications, like widening doorways or installing lifts, are expensive, but others are affordable. This article discusses affordable home improvements for seniors that increase accessibility and ease of movement. The article links to affordable and convenient mobility aids and other products on the HonestMed website.
Preserving Independence as You Age
Preserving independence and familiar surroundings is crucial for seniors’ well-being. Beyond room-specific tips, here are some easy, affordable home improvements for seniors.
General Home Improvements
- Reorganize or remove unnecessary furniture so that there are open pathways in each room. Whether you or a senior loved one is using a walker or a wheelchair, you should be able to move about the rooms you need to access without bumping into furniture or clutter.
- Make sure the lighting in each room is adequately bright. Also, it is relatively inexpensive to place light switches near the entrance to the room. If necessary, you should have switches on the wall lowered so someone in a wheelchair can reach them.
- Be sure outdoor pathways are well lit and free from clutter.
Accessibility Enhancements
- Use portable ramps for doorways and entry steps for easy wheelchair access.
- Provide wheelchair accessories that will serve as convenient holders no matter where you or your loved one is in the home. A wheelchair tote that attaches securely to the chair can hold a water tumbler, phone, eyeglasses and other necessities, keeping them handy at all times.
- Use cushioned mats wherever they are needed – almost any room where accessibility is required is a good site for a fall protection mat. These mats are designed to grip the surface where they are placed and provide cushioning in case of a fall.
- Change door knobs to lever handles that make it easier for seniors to open when they have mobility limitations or are wheelchair bound.
- Learn more by reading the HonestMed article on mobility aids for seniors and the wheelchair guide that covers types of wheelchairs and accessories.
Bathroom Home Improvements for Seniors
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), falls are a leading cause of death in seniors but are preventable. The bathroom is among the most hazardous rooms in the house when it comes to falls. Slippery surfaces and a lack of grab bars or other support make bathrooms hazardous for seniors, often leading to fall. Safer senior bathrooms are possible with some affordable accessories.
- Make sure the lighting is bright in the bathroom.
- Install grab bars and safety rails so that seniors have support getting in and out of the tub or shower and on and off the toilet.
- Install a raised toilet seat so that seniors with weak lower extremities or balance issues can use the bathroom facilities with less effort.
- Try a commode chair if bathroom access is too difficult or dangerous for you or your loved one.
- Make sure to have a shower or bath chair available so that an elderly loved one can sit when necessary while they shower or bathe.
- Use a post-toilet cleaning aid – it will offer independence and privacy when there are mobility issues or limited upper body strength.
- Place a non-slip mat inside the bath or shower to help prevent falls on wet or slippery surfaces.
- Place a cushioned mat outside the shower or bath to provide support and fall protection.
- Install a handheld shower head, which allows the user more flexibility while cleaning themselves.
- Learn more tips by reading the Honest Medical article covering bathroom aids for seniors with mobility issues.
Bedroom Home Improvements for Seniors
Bedrooms pose a fall risk, especially when seniors are getting in or out of bed, or dressing. The following are a few home improvements for seniors that can help make the bedroom a safe haven.
- Install an alarm so that you can be alerted if your loved one tries to get out of bed or up from a chair on their own and need assistance.
- Install touch-sensitive lighting at the bedside so that turning the light on and off is easier and safer.
- Use side rails on the bed if you’re afraid your loved one might fall out of bed or try to get out during the night.
- Place fall prevention mats on the bedroom floor to provide added protection when getting in and out of bed.
- Make sure storage is available for necessities and that they are easily accessible for seniors, this includes bureau drawers that aren’t out of reach and are easy to open.
Kitchen Home Improvements for Seniors
The kitchen is another room that can be hazardous for seniors with mobility issues. However, there are a few simple home improvements that will make the kitchen easier and safer for seniors to use:
- Use reachers and grabbers that make it easier to access items in the kitchen that are too high to reach.
- Install lazy susans or pull-out shelves in cupboards so it isn’t necessary to strain to reach things located in the back of shelves.
- Make sure that appliances are front-facing and accessible and have easy-to-read controls.
- Replace kitchen sink faucets with lever handles that are easy to turn on and off.
Living Room Home Improvements for Seniors
Here are a few tips to make the living room safer and more comfortable for seniors.
- Make sure that any area rugs are secured on the floor to avoid tripping, or remove rugs as a precaution.
- Choose chairs that have armrests – this makes it easier for those with mobility issues to get up and down from a seated position. You can also replace a recliner with a reclining lift chair that helps seniors get up with ease.
- Ensure that the lighting is adequate and that the room isn’t too cluttered – there should be pathways that are suitable for a senior using a walker or wheelchair.
HonestMed Has the Home Improvement Products You Need
Need help finding items for senior home modifications? We’re here to help! HonestMed offers a variety of affordable products designed to make any home more accessible for seniors with mobility limitations. This helps seniors maintain independence and easily pursue daily tasks. Learn more by speaking to an Honest Care Specialist at (833) 933-2323. We offer product expertise and support to meet your needs and budget. Check out our other published articles on caregiving and more!
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