Getting older brings about changes in your body that may make it difficult to get around in your home. Making a few simple modifications can improve the accessibility in your home and allow you to "age in place" rather than in some type of senior housing or a nursing home.
Getting In and Out of the House
One of the most frustrating things someone with a disability or mobility problems deals with can be the fact that getting into and out of the home is is just difficult! Most of the time because of the entry steps to the front porch.
Vertical platform lifts (VPLs) make these situations easy to deal with and are much more simple than moving to a new home. Careful planning is required for these lifts, but many locations are already fit pretty well for installing a vertical lift. So if you feel like you're getting out and about less often just because of the difficulty you face getting out of your own home, purchasing a VPL may be a good choice.
In the Bathroom
Bathtubs can be hazardous for a person with mobility issues. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some 234,000 people fall in a bathroom and require treatment at a hospital each year.
Falls often occur in the bathroom because surfaces become slippery when you bathe. People who are not steady on their feet are likely to fall when getting into or out of a bathtub. To lessen the chances of falling, the tub should be fitted with a walk-in tub or shower. That way, you don't have to negotiate the side of the tub to take a shower. And, you don't have to worry about trying to get up from a seated position in the wet, slippery tub. To reduce the risk of falling, you should also put non-slip surfaces and grab bars inside & outside the walk-in shower or tub.
On the Stairs
Falls are one of the leading causes of injury-related death among people over the age of 65. Many falls occur on staircases, especially if you have mobility issues due to your age or a disability. Make sure staircases are well-lit and free of tripping hazards. Another way to improve accessibility is by installing a stair lift.
Stair lifts are fairly easy to install and require very little maintenance. They don't take up a lot of room on your staircase. But most importantly, they provide an effective means of getting up and down the stairs safely, without worrying about taking a fall.
