Creating a Senior-Friendly Home for Your Loved One

According to the CDC, falls are the leading cause of death and injuries for seniors. If you’re planning on having your aging parents live with you, think about making your house more accessible in order to prevent an accident. Here are a few home improvements and upgrades that will make your home more senior-friendly:

Outside the House

The pathway leading to your house should be clear of obstacles; swipe away debris, put away any gardening tools or hoses, dispose of anything slippery, and check for leaves or puddles after a storm. Uneven or broken pavement can cause a person to stumble and fall, so make sure to check for potential danger underfoot. Provide adequate lighting leading to the front door and around your property. Adding floodlights to illuminate your garage is a good idea as well. 

For added security and to deter intruders from entering your property, install motion sensor lights that turn on automatically if someone walks close by. Also, make your house number clearly visible from the street, either with bold numbers affixed to the house itself, large numbers on the mailbox, or numbers painted and easy to read on the curb, in case you need to call emergency services. Finding your house quickly could literally be a lifesaver.

If you need help with financing those upgrades or covering some of the costs of your senior loved one’s medical care, you can tap into your home equity–the current market value of your house, minus what you still owe on your mortgage–with a cash-out refinance. This type of refi allows you to borrow more than you owe on your current home loan. The balance of your old mortgage is paid off, and the lender gives you a check with the remaining balance on the new loan. As an added bonus, a cash-out refinance often comes with a lower interest rate so you can keep more money in your pocket.

Inside the House

Making a kitchen accessible sometimes requires enlarging the entrance to provide enough room for a wheelchair. If your senior loved one enjoys baking and cooking, pull-down shelves, lower cupboards, and lazy susans can be installed so they can reach what they need without assistance. Lowering countertops, installing a pull-out cutting surface, and allowing room under the stovetop and the sink will let your wheelchair-bound parent comfortably participate in kitchen activities. 

For seniors, the bathroom is fraught with danger. Water on the floor can lead to falls, and bath mats can be treacherous too, so make sure to opt for a non-slip option. Install grab bars in the shower and near the toilet. Walk-in tubs are also a good addition to your bathroom as they boast comfort and safety features not available in traditional showers or tubs: low step-in, extra-wide seat, slip-resistant surfaces, handrails, adjustable showerhead, and even hydrotherapy and whirlpool options. Installing a walk-in tub in your home may increase your property value as this luxurious addition can be used by anyone, young and old, and even allows the homeowner to age in place.

If your house has stairs, make them safer by getting them carpeted or adding non-slip stair treads. Your staircase should feature a steady handrail and good lighting from top to bottom to prevent your senior loved one from tripping and falling. Remove anything around the house that could be an obstacle for your aging parents as they move from room to room, like shoes lying on the floor and any unnecessary clutter, and if you have area rugs, make sure they are secured to the floor by using double-sided tape or a rug pad underlay. 

Making your home more accessible will keep your senior loved one safe by preventing falls inside and outside the house. The right home improvements can even increase your property value and will give you the option of aging in place.

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