AGING IN PLACE: HOW TO ADAPT YOUR HOME FOR INDEPENDENCE
Here’s how to keep yourself or your loved ones safe and independent at home for years to come. (Photo by Joshua Hoehne)
Whether you’re 40 or 80 or in between, you may want to consider where you want to live as you age.
A report from the National Poll on Healthy Aging said 88% of adults want to remain in their homes as long as possible, but with so few accessibility-equipped houses available on the market, many homeowners find themselves stuck in homes with precarious features that become more dangerous as time progresses.
Every year, more than one in four Americans aged 65 and older experiences a fall, which is the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults.
3 million older adults are treated every year in emergency departments for fall injuries, and over 800,000 are hospitalized, primarily due to head injuries or hip fractures (CDC.gov) (@NCOAging) (SafetyCouncil).
Falls among adults aged 65 and older caused more than 38,000 deaths in 2021 alone (SafetyCouncil)
While this sounds grim, reducing risks around the house through renovation is a proven solution. According to recipients of AmeriCorps’s “Safe at Home” program, nearly 70% of residents felt they had a "low chance" or "no chance" of falling after receiving home repairs and modifications, compared to 45% who had experienced falls or close calls before the repairs.
Here is a list of changes and upgrades Ashland Builders can install to extend your independence and create a safer environment in your home.
1. Tripping Hazards
Each year, over one million Americans are injured due to tripping hazards in their homes, with falls being the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death (SafetyCouncil) (@NCOAging).
Smart Upgrade: Replace loose rugs with secure, low-pile carpeting or non-slip flooring materials like luxury vinyl plank (LVP) or cork flooring. For existing rugs, use RugSafe underlayments to prevent slipping. Ashland Builders can also level uneven floors and thresholds to eliminate trip points.
Curbless showers reduce tripping risks, while textured tile can help prevent slipping. (Photo by Ashland Builders)
2. Bathroom Safety
Annually, about 235,000 people visit emergency rooms due to injuries suffered in bathrooms, making it a high-risk area for slips and falls (National Institute on Aging (NIA)).
Smart Upgrade: Install non-slip porcelain or textured vinyl tiles; tile manufacturers often give a slip rating for tile called a “COF” or coefficient of friction. Upgrade to a walk-in bathtub or a curbless shower with a fold-down teak shower seat. Grab bars made of stainless steel or ADA-compliant fixtures in areas like the shower and near the toilet can offer additional support. Ashland Builders can also add a thermostatic mixing valve to prevent scalding.
Curbless showers reduce tripping risks, while textured tile can help prevent slipping. (Photo by Ashland Builders)
3. Inadequate Lighting
Poor lighting is linked to thousands of falls each year, with inadequate illumination contributing to these accidents (National Institute on Aging (NIA)) (@NCOAging).
Smart Upgrade: Switch to brighter, strategically placed lighting. Add motion-sensor lights in hallways, closets, and bathrooms for hands-free operation. Under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen and task lighting in work areas improve visibility. Ashland Builders can also install dimmer switches to adjust light levels according to your needs.
4. Difficult Doorways
Around 300,000 older adults are hospitalized each year due to hip fractures, often caused by difficulties navigating through narrow or heavy doors (The Sam Bernstein Law Firm).
Smart Upgrade: Widen doorways to at least 36 inches to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers. Install lever-style door handles instead of traditional knobs for easier operation. Ashland Builders can also add automatic door openers and install lightweight, hollow-core doors for easier use.
High contrast is a principle of “universal design”, which aims to make spaces accessible to anyone regardless of age, size or ability. (Photo by Dylan Chandler via Better Homes and Gardens)
5. Unsafe Stairs
Stair-related injuries lead to over one million emergency room visits annually in the United States, particularly affecting older adults (SafetyCouncil).
Smart Upgrade: Consider replacing steep steps with a newly-engineered staircase at a safer grade. For existing stairs, Ashland Builders can add non-slip stair treads, sturdy handrails on both sides, and enhance lighting with LED strip lights along the steps.
6. Clutter and Storage
Clutter contributes to falls and injuries, affecting millions of Americans each year, particularly those with mobility issues (@NCOAging).
Smart Upgrade: Install custom cabinetry and built-in storage solutions to keep belongings organized and accessible. Use pull-out shelves, lazy Susans, and drawer organizers in the kitchen and bathroom, which are easier to get into than overhead cabinets. Ashland Builders can design closet systems with adjustable shelving and rods to maximize space and improve accessibility.
Want to find out if your house is a good candidate for aging in place?
Ashland Builders can help you come up with a plan to make your home safe for years to come. Contact Justin by email at justin.ashlandbuilders@gmail.com or by phone at (541) 708-1132.
