Staying in your own home as you grow older is a goal most people share. Achieving it usually takes a series of practical changes. This walk through the house shows where to look.
Entrance
- At least one way in without steps, by ramp or platform lift
- A covered, well-lit doorway
- A lever handle and a low threshold
- A bench or shelf for setting down bags
Stairs
- Handrails on both sides, running the full length
- Contrasting strips on the edge of each tread
- A stair lift, when climbing becomes tiring or unsafe
- A home elevator, where a wheelchair is in use or likely to be
Kitchen
- Everyday items stored between knee and shoulder height
- Pull-out shelves in lower cabinets
- Lever or touch faucets
- A dumbwaiter, if groceries arrive on a different floor
Bathroom
- Grab bars beside the toilet and in the shower
- A curbless or low-threshold shower with a seat
- A raised toilet
- Non-slip flooring
Bedroom
- A bedroom on the main level, or reliable access to the one upstairs
- A clear path from bed to bathroom, with night lighting
- Light switches reachable from the bed
Throughout the house
- Wider doorways where a walker or wheelchair must pass
- Rocker light switches and brighter bulbs
- Loose rugs removed or secured
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms that are easy to hear and test
What to tackle first
Begin with the changes that prevent falls: lighting, handrails, grab bars and clear floors. Then address the stairs, because that is where the most serious injuries happen and where a single change makes the largest difference.
A second opinion on the stairs
Nationwide Lifts of Missouri and Kansas can assess your staircase and entrances and suggest what fits your home and budget. Call 660-624-2411 for a free in-home assessment.