A large majority of older people want to stay in their own homes rather than move to a retirement community or, heaven forbid, a nursing home. Closeness to friends and family is a key factor, as is the comfort of familiarity and the freedom to do what you want when you want.
At the same time, most of us develop at least some health issues as we age. Our strength, our balance, our vision and hearing inevitably decrease, no matter how healthy we are.
There are many things we can do now to make it easier to age in place. Some are very simple and inexpensive, others more costly.
A potentially serious problem for seniors is falls and resulting injury. To minimize the risk of falls:
Get rid of small rugs that slide. Have fewer rugs and be sure they are on a nonskid pad.
Have railings for all stairs, indoors and out.
Have adequate lighting, particularly by stairs and at entrances. Using higher wattage bulbs is the simplest way to do this, and if you need to, get an electrician to install new fixtures.
Use a night-light in your bedroom; falls getting up at night are common and can be serious.
Bathrooms need attention.
Install grab bars for every tub and shower – be sure your installer does this regularly.
Have a nonskid surface in the shower. A bench makes showering easier. This can be built-in (expensive) or a chair with good support (cheap).
If you much prefer a bath to a shower, invest in a walk-in tub.
Raise the height of your toilet seat with either a new unit or an add-on and consider a grab bar next to the toilet.
Kitchens also warrant attention.
Getting things down from high cabinets is difficult and can be hazardous if you use a chair or a ladder. Have your cabinets lowered, so that all the space you need to use can be reached easily. Slide-out shelves will make it easier to get what you want.
If you are facing the need for a wheelchair, be sure all surfaces are low enough that you can work in the kitchen from the chair. If you have an island in the kitchen, be sure there is at least four feet of space on all sides of the island.
All your chairs should have arms, to make getting in and out safer.
Part 2 next week.
Edward Hoffer MD is Associate Professor of Medicine, part-time, at Harvard.
What Does The Doctor Say?
By Dr. Edward Hoffer