For one of America’s largest and fastest growing demographic groups — seniors 65 and older — well-thought-out additions or upgrades to the home aren’t just cosmetic or feel-good projects, they are necessary for continued comfort and safety.
Aging in place, or modifying your home to better accommodate changing needs, can be a major undertaking. Building entrance and access ramps, widening entrance and doorways, adding a first-floor bedroom and bath, and other structural accommodations can be costly. But many other options that add both convenience and safety don’t require major expenditures.
Installing grab bars in baths and bedrooms to help with standing and balance, switching to lever-handled doorknobs, lowering electrical switches and raising electrical outlets are among the most frequently completed non-budget busting projects, according to the 2015 “Aging in Place Survey Report”from HomeAdvisor. Replacing slippery tile or vinyl flooring with slip-resistant surfaces is also a must as falls are among the leading cause of injury to seniors.
Adequate lighting is another important health and safety consideration for seniors, since vision changes rapidly in one’s later years. Universal Design guidelines call for increasing both task lighting and general room illumination as we age. Research published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology suggests that natural light may be better for aging eyes than artificial light.
The health benefits of natural light are well documented, from boosting the body’s ability to produce vitamin D to helping to improve mood and fight seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Natural light also enhances virtually any decor, while helping reduce dependence on artificial light and lowering electricity bills.
And indoor air quality, according to an EPA study, can be worse than the air outside your home. Poor indoor air quality has been linked to respiratory problems, eye irritation, headaches and even depression.
Adding skylights is one of the easiest, most cost-effective ways to achieve balanced, glare-free natural light, as well as passive ventilation. Energy Star-qualified, solar-powered fresh-air skylights, like those from Velux America, bring homeowners the health and functional benefits of enhanced natural light and fresh air.
Further enhance the energy efficiency and aesthetic appeal of skylights by adding solar-powered blinds in designer colors and patterns. The skylights, which close automatically in case of rain, and blinds are operated by a programmable remote control. Both products, plus the installation costs, are eligible for a 30 percent federal tax credit (learn more at www.whyskylights.com).
Other options that address functionality and living safely, independently and comfortably include home automation systems and “Smart Home” technologies, security systems, in-home health and activity monitoring to detect falls, and cellphone apps that control thermostats, lighting and other systems in the home. Additional resources are available at www.homeadvisor.com/r/aging-in-place.
When is the best time to plan for a long life as a senior? Marty Bell, executive director of the National Aging in Place Council, sums it up in the 2015 report:
“Too many of us wait until we reach a health or financial crisis to plan for getting older. We plan our careers, we plan to send our children to college, we plan our vacations, but we don’t plan to age. And yet the evidence is there that those who do accept they are going to get older, and make plans in advance, have a considerably better later life.” — brandpointcontent.com
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