Aging Abode

ADULT PROOFING HOMES FOR SENIORS

BY PETE ALFANO

It was renowned showman Mick Jagger who, in 1965, sang, “What a drag it is getting old.” Of course, the Rolling Stones frontman was only 22 when the band recorded “Mother’s Little Helper,” which referred to a growing dependency on prescription medication. But at 81, Jagger is still prancing around the stage, singing all the hits and disproving that getting old is necessarily a drag.

For many seniors, however, concessions to the aging process must be made, especially if they want to remain in their homes and avoid moving into an independent or assisted living facility.

Statistics for 2021 reveal that approximately 36 million injuries suffered in the home required medical attention. About 53% of the victims were between the ages of 45 and 75+. But the death rate for those 75 and older was three times greater than any other group. And many of these injuries are attributed to falls, which can be considerably reduced.

Most of the modifications to make a house safer for seniors are not expensive. For starters, consider the second floor of a two-story house off-limits. If you have an in-home office on the second floor, move it down to the main floor. Are all the bedrooms on the second floor? Then consider installing a stair lift, although this could cost a minimum of $2,000. And the doorway to the bedroom may have to be expanded to accommodate a wheelchair.

Install grab bars in the master shower and bathtub, use a shower chair, and buy a toilet seat riser to make it easier to sit and stand when using the toilet. Have night lights strategically positioned in the bedroom, master bath, and in the hallway leading to the kitchen.

Lower cabinet shelves in the kitchen can be used for pots, pans, and other cooking utensils. Do not store heavier appliances in a high or low cabinet. Instead, keep them at eye level, perhaps on countertops, for easier lifting. Get an estimate of how much it will cost to install pull-out shelves for the most-used cabinets and pantry, providing simpler access to food and cooking utensils.

A cardinal rule for all seniors is to avoid using ladders and even step stools at almost any cost. Hire a handyperson to replace smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries once a year. There are also smoke detectors that use a long-life sealed lithium battery that lasts for 10 years without the need to replace them. Ask your adult child or even a neighbor to change ceiling lights.

Seniors should play it safe outdoors as well. It is great to be active and do some light gardening, but pay a landscape company for the heavy lifting, such as mowing the lawn and trimming trees, especially given the hot Texas summers. Hire a pool maintenance company and have a railing installed at the pool steps, making it easier to get in and out. Also, hire someone to put up the holiday lights. Avoid using the home’s front entrance if there are steps involved. Enter through the garage instead. Some or all of these changes may be difficult, but they will help seniors remain in their home sweet home.

Seniors Need to Get Smart

Technology is not just for younger generations. Seniors can use the latest innovations to help them remain in their homes.

Some examples:

Install a doorbell camera so that you can see and speak to strangers who may come knocking without going to the door.
Have security cameras placed around the perimeter of the house for protection and add an alarm system.
Buy a voice-activated virtual assistant such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant and program it to remind you to take your medication or that you have anupcoming appointment.
Stay in touch with loved ones using video calling technology such as Zoom, FaceTime, WhatsApp,or Google Meet. Let them see how well you are doing.