As seniors age, often the biggest adjustment needed in the home is maintaining physical comfort. Their favorite chair may no longer provide the support they need. Over the years, the home may have gotten a little dark and need more light. New heating and cooling needs may call for an inspection. Or accessibility may become an issue.
The adjustments, primarily due to physical necessity, may seem endless, but increased safety also translates into increased comfort.
Patty Passadine, executive director of Family Tree Home Care, a service offered by Anna Maria in Aurora, offered some related insights.
“Most healthy older adults just need the basics,” Pasadin points out: “One-story living space, good lighting, bathroom facilities, and a good schedule. But as their physical capabilities decline, they may need more.”
Pasadin said the most obvious tweaks to improve seniors' comfort were to bathrooms, such as adding grab bars, walk-in showers and widening doorways, while lighting was the second most common, he added.
“Lighting is important,” Pasadin says. “Dark hallways and dim lighting can be tripping hazards.”
Pasadin said seniors should also consider decluttering their homes, as too many objects and furniture can create a dangerous environment in certain circumstances.
“Many seniors should consider decluttering,” Pasadin suggests. “Less furniture means wider pathways and safer walking.”
Then comes the decision many people must face: Will moving to a new residence actually be more comfortable than their current home? Pasadin noted that this is one of the most personal questions seniors face when considering living in a familiar place.
“The decision to remodel or move is a personal one,” she explained. “Most people will say they want to stay in their homes, but most homes are not handicap accessible. What if you can no longer climb the stairs? What if the bathroom door is too narrow for a wheelchair to fit through?”
Families should keep in mind that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3 million seniors need to seek emergency medical care of some kind each year for injuries from falls alone, so it's best to be realistic and honest about your specific living situation as you get older, Pasadin said.
“Home improvements can be expensive and extensive,” she says, “Many people wait until an emergency occurs and then have to make a hasty decision. My advice is to plan ahead, regardless of which option you choose. Accept the fact that your physical abilities may change over time. Take an honest look at your home and consider how it would function if you were disabled.”
But one of the easiest ways to ensure seniors are successful in retirement in place is to make sure they are familiar with their surroundings, Pasadin said.
“Finally, go shopping,” she said. “Take the time to find out what kind of housing your community has to offer. Tour different homes, condo developments, and senior housing facilities. Don't wait until an emergency occurs, because emergencies take away your ability to make choices. And what most seniors really want is the ability to choose how and where they want to live.”
Steve Mark is a freelance journalist.
