01 Sep AGING IN PLACE FEATURES YOU MUST HAVE IN YOUR CUSTOM HOME

According to the CDC, every year 1 out of 3 adults age 65 and older will experience a fall. Aging in place precautions help prevent falls, which can be a big problem when you age. Since most people would like to stay in their homes as long as they can…these are some great aging in place features you must have in your custom home:

Multi-Level Home-

If you chose to age in place in a multi-level home there are many things you can do to still make it safe.

(1) Design to have the master bed and bath on the ground floor

(2) Include at least one full bath on each floor

(3) Plan for doors and hallways to be wide enough to fit a walker and/or wheelchair in the home

(4) Design a lift or elevator for your home

(5) Make sure there’s enough light in every room of the house and make sure light switches and lamps are easy to access to turn on/off

Bathrooms-

Bathrooms have the highest injury rate for people as they age. About 2/3 of all injuries occur while bathing or showering. The following will help prevent slips, falls and other injuries:

(1) Curb-less showers have flat surfaces/flooring which allow you to wheel a walker or wheelchair right in to the shower

(2) Tub/Shower combos should have shower curtains, rather than sliding doors on tracks

(3) Install a bench or a seat in the shower to sit on

(4) Adjustable height shower heads with handheld wands are safer than fixed options

(5) Levered faucets are easier to grip when turning on/off in tubs, showers and at sinks

(6) Grab bars are designed to help people get up and down by holding their weight and aiding mobility (towel bars are not designed to support body weight and should not be used as a mobility aid)

(7) Thermostatic shower controls and anti-scald water devices can help prevent injury from hot water

(8) Place a non-slip map in the tub/shower combo to prevent slip and falls while bathing/showering

Kitchen-

The kitchen is a frequently used room in the house and as you age you want to be able to use this room regularly. We recommend the following:

(1) Include a surface where you can sit to prepare meals, standing can become hard on the body as people age

(2) Cabinets over the stove can be a hazard, especially for someone who has balance problems and is prone to falling

(3) Install drawers underneath countertops instead of cabinets (for easy to reach storage)

(4) D-type pulls are easy to grip when opening and closing cabinets and drawers

(5) Smooth, level flooring is recommended in this room

(6) Non-slip, non-glare tile flooring is a great option for the kitchen as it is a good option for when someone’s vision starts to change

(7) Rugs or mats can be a slip and fall hazard in this room and should be removed

(8) Keep a fire extinguisher readily available and easy to access near the stove and oven in the kitchen

Aging In Place Resources-
CDC- Aging Without Injury
Check For Safety

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