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Most Coloradans, as they approach 65 and older, want to remain in their
homes for as long as they possibly can. They’re familiar with the house
and neighborhood, the interior and exterior of the home reflects their
personality, their furniture and accessories fit the home, and it’s a
large part of their sense of independence.
If someone decides to stay in his current home, important questions for
him to consider are:
- Will this house meet his needs in early and later retirement? Can he
obtain in-home services such as delivered meals, home nursing and
housekeeping or take advantage of community services and government
programs?
- Will he be able to handle the upkeep of the house and yard himself or
find someone to help?
- Is the home energy efficient or can energy-saving features be added
easily?
- Is the home and surrounding neighborhood safe? What changes need to be
made such as adding deadbolt locks, a door peephole, exterior lighting,
and smoke and carbon monoxide
detectors?
- Does the home have a convenient physical layout for daily activities?
Can major activities be clustered on one level?
- Will the home remain affordable? Explore a home equity loan, a reverse
equity mortgage or renting out a portion of the home.
One also should consider home modifications, which are adaptations to
the home that can make it more comfortable. Modifications may also make
daily activities more safe and easy. Depending on what changes are
necessary, these modifications can be easy and essentially free, or
relatively difficult and expensive. Fairly easy modifications include:
- Installing a distinguishing feature on the house front such as a
mailbox or bright exterior color.
- Removing doormats or throw rugs or securing them to the floor so that
they do not trip someone.
- Removing unnecessary furniture
- especially low furniture such as
coffee tables and footstools which someone may fall over
- that reduce
open space. Make sure all furniture in the home is sturdy.
- Eliminate extension cords and keep electrical cords out of the flow of
traffic.
- Maintain proper lighting. This is especially important to help those
whose vision is reduced as they age.
- Keep at least a 3 to 4 foot uncluttered path through each room.
- Place the television in a location where it won’t reflect a glare.
- Use contrasting colors to give important objects more visibility and
cause them to stand out.
- Use devices that are low cost such as door knobs with levers that
operate easily with a push, grab bars in the shower and by the toilet
and tub, a hand-held showerhead with a flexible head and adjustable rods
in closets.
There are numerous home modifications that are more expensive. These
should be considered carefully based on the home-owner’s specific needs,
and they include:
- Confining living quarters to one floor, or installing an electric
chair or elevator.
- Changing the placement of or content of kitchen and bathroom cabinets
so one won’t have to bend down to reach often-needed items. Add narrow
shelves below upper cabinets for things that are used often so they can
be accessed without reaching to a high shelf. Add a sink with motorized,
adjustable height settings.
- Installing lazy Susans, drawer dividers, storage organizers, sliding
drawers and shelves.
- Installing an intercom system, especially if someone in the home has
limited mobility.
- Tinting windows, or installing awnings or window coverings, and
installing more built-in lighting.
- Purchasing an electrically adjustable bed.
- Purchasing a stove with the offset burners and front-mounted controls.
- Place a heat resistant surface on the counter adjacent to the stove.
It may be a good idea to have an interior designer, architect or
occupational therapist come into the home and help note which
modifications would be best for the situation. Generally, select those
modifications that are affordable and feel most comfortable. And
remember, not everything needs to be done at once.
For more information, contact your local
Colorado State University Extension office.
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