Aging
in place allows you to keep your heart at home
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[August 19, 2011]
(ARA) - Home really is where the
heart is. Upon retirement - when all of their children have moved
out of the house - 90 percent of Americans age 60 and older choose
to stay right where they are, according to 20 years of data from the
U.S. Census Bureau.
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And because so many Americans are aging in place, they're looking
for ways to make their homes safe and comfortable for the long term.
With just a few modifications, retired couples can make their homes
perfect sanctuaries for their golden years. Here are some
modification ideas to help you keep your heart right at home:
* Staying connected is important for many seniors, especially if
they aren't able to get out of the house as frequently as they used
to. There are video/television systems and services available that
allow you to chat with a person from a care program while sitting at
your dining room table. Program staff can also monitor your house
and contact a relative or emergency service if they notice you
haven't moved in awhile. Some couples enjoy the interaction they
have with the person on the other end of the video cameras, while
others appreciate knowing that if they were to fall or get sick,
someone would notice and respond immediately.
* Independence is also very important for seniors, and this is
especially true in the bathroom. Climbing over a bathtub wall
becomes more difficult as people age, and can also make the bathroom
very dangerous for slips and falls. A Zon Walk-In Bath has an easy
step-in, step-out design with anti-slip floors and internal grip
bars that allow you to safely - and independently - bathe in your
own home. Because the door opens and seals shut, this walk-in bath
allows you to sit down prior to running any water, which can help
prevent a slip or fall. Hydrotherapy jets also add additional health
benefits, so you can comfortably soak as long as you want. Visit
www.zonwalkinbaths.com or call (800) 501-0370 to learn more.
* If you plan to stay active in your community, you may need to make
adjustments to your vehicle so you can safely and easily negotiate
the controls from behind the wheel. Car manufacturers are adapting
vehicles to accommodate seniors with such options as seats that
swivel to face out the door so you can sit down or stand up easily
and not have to bend down at an angle to climb into the seat. Other
available adapters are dashboards that push back until the driver is
in the seat and ready to start the car, buttons to control the radio
and temperature on the steering wheel, and sliding cabinets that
help a person load items into the trunk - and get them out easier.
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* Make your home easily accessible. At least one entrance should be
level with the walkway - you may need to build a ramp to accomplish
this. Also consider changing the door handles to lever style so if a
person is suffering from arthritis, they can still easily open the
door. Remote locks and a covered walkway are also a good idea,
because you won't have to be standing out in the elements while you
attempt to unlock the door with a key. The covering also helps
prevent ice from building up along the walkway. Finally, installing
a good light at all the entrances will allow you to easily see where
you are going and any potential obstacles that might be in your way.
With a few modifications, your house can be a very comfortable and
safe haven for many years to come. And since it's already a place
you call "home," why not enjoy it during your retirement years?
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