Tips To Make Your Home More Accessible

If you’re an older adult choosing to age in place, you want to ensure you have an accessible home that fits your needs. Home accessibility can require structural changes, but there are small and budget-friendly ways to make your home more accessible without major work being done. 

Why Is Accessibility Important?

Accessibility is about ensuring you stay safe and confident at home. One of the most significant concerns home accessibility addresses is falls. In 2020, more than 3 million people 65 and older visited the emergency room for fall-related injuries, resulting in more than $50 billion in medical costs yearly. And this number doesn’t account for the number of falls among seniors who don’t seek medical attention. 

Not all falls require emergency medical attention, but you should still see a doctor after every fall, as some injuries may not immediately present noticeable symptoms. Common fall-related injuries doctors often check for after a fall include bruising, sprains, fractures, dislocations, and concussions. 

Home Accessibility Tips

Every person should feel safe and confident about aging in their homes. While you can’t alleviate every potential risk, there are many steps you can take to make your living situation more accessible. 

Organization

One of the first steps to creating a more accessible home is to consider your home's organization. Small organizational changes can significantly reduce fall risks, making your home easier and safer to navigate. 

• Keep pathways clear from clutter: Tripping is one of the biggest contributors to falling at home. You want to reduce your chance of tripping by ensuring all your walkways, hallways, and doorways are free and clear. Remove any clutter from the floor so you have plenty of space to walk through your home. 
• Declutter your home: Aside from simply clearing your walkways, take inventory of your possessions for items you no longer need or use. Go through each room and assess what you want to keep, sell, and throw out. You’ll quickly notice how much more open and comfortable your home feels with less stuff.
• Put your most-used items in easy-to-reach places: You want the items you use most throughout the day to be the easiest to access. Go through your cabinets in the bathroom, kitchen, and closets. Put your most-used items on lower shelves that don’t require you to get a step stool. The items you use less often can occupy the higher shelves.

Gadgets

Small renovations and gadgets can help make your home more accessible. Most of these gadgets are at your local convenience or home goods store, such as Target or Home Depot. 

• Grab bars: If you have difficulty getting on and off the toilet or want extra support in the shower, consider installing grab bars. These are perfect for any bathroom to help you stay supported. 
• Reacher: Instead of climbing up a step stool, consider getting a reacher tool to help you grab items off top shelves. These can also help you grab items off the floor instead of having to bend over.
• Non-slip rugs and mats: You don’t want your rugs or floor mats to slip when you walk on them. Ensure anything on your floor has a non-slip adhesive on the bottom, especially in the bathroom, where moisture can make things extra slippery. 
• Motion-sensor lights: Keep motion-sensor lights in your hallways and bathroom to help you navigate your home in the dark. If you have stairs, make sure they are also well-lit, especially when using them at night.

Renovations

Renovations can be expensive and may not always be necessary, but if you are interested in renovating parts of your home, here are a few you may want to consider. 

• Lowering your cabinets and counters: If you cannot reach the back of your counter or your top shelves without assistance, you may want to consider lowering the cabinets and counters in your home. 
• Install a ramp: Ramps leading into your home are much easier to ascend than stairs, especially if you use mobility assistance, such as a walker or cane. 
• Install a walk-in tub: Walk-in tubs are perfect if you enjoy baths or want a sturdy seat while showering. Many walk-in tubs also come with jets for a relaxing and spa-like experience. 

Improving At-Home Accessibility With Visiting Angels 

Making your home more accessible isn’t a simple job, and Visiting Angels is available to make it a bit easier. Our caregivers are happy to help clients organize their homes, research the best gadgets, and find experts for larger home renovations. Plus, having a caregiver around means helping with mobility, light housekeeping, and cooking so you can continue living safely and independently.

Our Flagstaff office works with clients throughout Flagstaff, Payson, and ShowLow, Arizona. If you’re a senior living in one of those communities, contact us to learn more about creating a more accessible living space and home care with Visiting Angels.