Home Remodeling for Comfort and Safety

As a general rule, as you get older it may become harder to walk and move easily. You may have less strength and stamina, and your vision and hearing may not be as good as they use to be. It may also be harder to regulate your body temperature. There are many things you can do to improve a home's safety and comfort in spite of these decreases.

General

• Consider shifting bedrooms or other living areas to the first floor of the home so that everything is on one level. This eliminates the problem of going up and down stairs and reduces the potential for falls.
• Increase lighting, both room lighting and in specific areas, such as kitchen counters.
• Consider using ramps instead of steps to get to the garage or other outside areas.
• Make sure the mailbox is at a convenient height.
• Widen doorways to 36 inches if needed to accommodate wheelchairs.
• Install levered door handles instead of knobs if arthritis in the hands is a problem.
• Keep electric cords out of areas where you can trip on them.
• Make sure that all doors and windows are easy to open and to lock.
• Install glow-in-the-dark switches in bedrooms, baths, and hallways.
• Install programmable thermostats for heating and cooling. This can save money as well as provide more comfort.
• Make sure that chairs have sturdy arms and have seats at least 18 inches above the floor.
• Check for slippery flooring. For example, make sure there are no loose rugs on hardwood or vinyl floors.
• Use flat-finish paint, flooring, and countertops to eliminate glare.
• Make sure the peep hole in the front door is at the proper height so that it is comfortable to use.
• Consider an emergency call or emergency response system. These can be installed in the home or worn as a wrist watch, pendant, or belt clip.
• Make sure the outside address is marked in large, clear numbers and that the area is well lit so emergency personnel can find the house quickly.

Bathroom

• Make sure bathrooms have enough turn around and transfer space for a walker or wheelchair (36 inches by 36 inches).
• Install lever faucets rather than knobs. Anti-scald valves are also available.
• Set the hot water heater thermostat below 120°F to avoid burns.
• Install grab bars at the back and sides of shower stalls, as well as the tub and toilet. Grab bars provide stability and a strong handhold. They must be long and wide enough to grasp easily, and they should have a nonslippery grip.
• Install a shower stall with a low threshold. A shower stall can be easier than a bathtub shower to get in and out of.
• Install a seat in the shower. Shower stools must have rigid seats and backs. Stool legs should have rubber tips.
• Install a handheld shower. This type of shower can be used while remaining comfortably seated on a stool or in a tub.
• Install a special toilet seat (a riser) that fits over a regular seat to make it higher.

Kitchen

• Install pull-out shelves and lazy Susans in kitchen cabinets.
• Make sure that cabinet knobs or pulls are easy to grasp.
• Install task lighting under counters.
• Consider installing a stove with controls in the front so that there is no need to reach across a hot cooktop.
• Consider a side-by-side refrigerator rather than a top freezer, which may be hard to reach.
• Consider using different colors or patterns at counter edges to help prevent drops and spills.

Getting the work done

You, a family member, or a friend may have the knowledge and skills needed to remodel. If you are going to get a contractor to do the work, get more than 1 estimate.

You may have to make choices about which changes to make to stay within your budget. Every house and every person's requirements are different. Concentrate on the adaptations that will be most useful in your particular situation.

To get more information on hazard-proofing your home, or to request the Consumer Product Safety Commission's booklet of safety tips for older people, call the US Consumer Product Safety Commission at 1-800-638-2772 (TTY 1-800-638-8270) or visit them online at http://www.cpsc.gov.