Six Home Modifications for Seniors to Maximize Life at Home

#1. Involve an Occupational Therapist

It can be tempting not to involve a professional to save some money. However, an experienced occupational therapist knows what it takes to create a safe living space for elders. They recognize that aging is a progression and will propose modifications to accommodate the needs that your senior might have, not just in the present but also in the future.

Ensure you involve a professional to assess the home modifications required to make your dwelling both accessible and safe for your elderly loved one. In some cases, Medicare could cover the cost. So, consider expert opinions (there are many specialized aging in place companies) companies before making any significant modifications. 

#2. Maximize Lighting & Reduce Glare

A report published in The Press shares that nearly all seniors suffer from at least one age-related sensory loss. Since each of our senses is crucial in connecting us to the world around us, the absence of one or more of these senses can negatively impact the seniors' quality of life.

Vision is one of the most common senses that gets impaired with age. Multiple studies have shown that by the age of 65, one in three individuals suffer from some form of vision-reducing eye disease. Hence, it's critical to include elder-friendly home adjustments to compensate for this sensory loss.

Start your aging in place house plans with safety: if you have stairs, consider lighting them up with night lights or overhead fixtures. Secondly, choose a subdued but glare-free color for the walls and white ceilings to prevent any glare and reflect the room light better. Also, direct task lighting is excellent for homes with seniors as it allows them to perform their routines easier. 

#3. Clear the Clutter

A cluttered house limits mobility and increases the risk of falls. Plus, clutter accumulates dust and tends to get ignored when cleaning. This can attract bugs, rodents, and allergens. Since clutter blocks passages, it can be challenging for anyone to leave the home in emergencies, such as a fire.

It's vital to get rid of the clutter and clear the walkways and passages in an elderly house. This will allow plenty of space for aging in place seniors to move around without fear of tripping or bumping into anything.

#4. Invest in Smart Home Technology

Aging in place is all about living in comfort and safety while maintaining one's independence. Modern smart home technology has a massive role in making spaces comfortable and functional. Also, smart devices are known to protect seniors from threats like intruders, fire, and flooding.

For instance, today's smart security systems can be managed using smartphones. They allow users to arm or disarm the main door alarm from the driveway or control who enters or exits the house through voice commands.

Here are a few safety upgrades that should be considered for homes with seniors:

• Smart smoke detectors 
• Leak detection sensors
• Motion sensors and smart lighting
• Video doorbells and cameras
• Voice-activated speakers
• Smart locks and alarm systems

When choosing a device, make sure you opt for those that are simple to operate and can be maintained remotely. Also, the devices shouldn't clutter the home and should function without interrupting a person's everyday life.

#5. Update the Flooring

Slips and falls are the leading cause of severe injuries in seniors age 65 years and older. Often, loose carpets with curled edges, unsecured rugs, and inappropriate flooring contribute to these accidents. Therefore, it's crucial to pay attention to your home's flooring and make repairs when needed.

If you have carpets, make sure they are securely attached to the flooring beneath. Install an ADA-compliant flooring that's slip-resistant and absorbs shocks. Further, the surface you choose should allow wheelchair and walker access, enabling the elder to move around with ease. Because flooring is used every day, it is arguably one of the more essential home modifications for older adults.

#6. Go for Medically Prescribed Home Modifications

Medicare is clear and strict about its payments and is unlikely to cover any home renovations for elderly persons that exceed a certain amount. Yet, it offers up to 80 percent coverage on medically prescribed modifications that are necessary for seniors.

Medicaid, on the other hand, is a little more flexible with home improvement assistance for seniors. It offers several programs, allowing seniors to make home modifications cheaper than nursing home care or moving to assisted living facilities.

Before considering a home modification or selecting aging in place equipment, check what can be covered and what's trickier to get covered. For instance, if a grab bar has been medically prescribed, it can be covered by Medicare as it falls under 'durable medical equipment.'

Though Medicare and Medicaid may not get you all the home modifications you want, they make low-cost home modifications a lot more feasible. Hence, it's wise to do your research before purchasing.