Aware Senior Care Blog
Home Modifications for Seniors: #AskAware
Aware Senior Care and special guest Jacqi Dix of Personal Access Solutions of Apex, NC joined other senior care experts to discuss home modifications for the elderly.
#AskAware: “Home Modifications for Seniors”
Aware Senior Care was joined by Jacqi Dix and Barbara Vansant of Personal Access Solutions in Apex, NC to discuss modifying a home to help a loved one remain in it.
Original Publication Date: November 18th, 2015
Hi this is Jacqi from Personal Access Solutions #askware #askaware
— BetterHomeAccess (@PerAccSolutions) November 18, 2015
Question One: What are home modifications?
Q1) What are home modifications? #AskAware
— Aware Senior Care (@AwareSeniorCare) November 18, 2015
A1) Home modifications allow people to live in there existing home #AskAware
— BetterHomeAccess (@PerAccSolutions) November 18, 2015
a1) most people want to remain in their home for as long as possible #AskAware
— BetterHomeAccess (@PerAccSolutions) November 18, 2015
a1) Home modifications allow them to stay at home safely #AskAware
— BetterHomeAccess (@PerAccSolutions) November 18, 2015
A1 Home modifications are changes – big and small, that will make home safer and easier to access for ADLs. #askaware
— Kathy Birkett (@SrCareCorner) November 18, 2015
@AwareSeniorCare #AskAware a1) modifications would relate to personal safety, comfort, ease of living at home
— Natrice Rese ?? (@NatriceR) November 18, 2015
What are home modifications for the elderly?
Changes in home improvement, big and small, that will make a home safer with easier access for ADLs (Activities of Daily Living); these changes can relate to personal safety, comfort, and ease of living at home.
For seniors unable to live fully independently, modifications to the home allow them to remain in their homes. Examples include installing handrails, grab bars, chair lifts, and ramps for wheelchairs.
This also includes modifications to prevent slipping on wet surfaces in bathrooms.
Question Two: Is Home safety, like grab bars, raised toilets, clearing walking paths, and fixing doors part of home modifications?
Q2) Is Home safety, like grab bars, raised toilets, clearing walking paths, and fixing doors part of home modifications? #AskAware
— Aware Senior Care (@AwareSeniorCare) November 18, 2015
A2) They are all part of modifications #AskAware
— BetterHomeAccess (@PerAccSolutions) November 18, 2015
A2 – Small adjustments can be HUGE with safety! #AskAware
— BetterHomeAccess (@PerAccSolutions) November 18, 2015
@AwareSeniorCare a2) home safety is indeed all modifications making home safe, easy to navigate & use all rooms safely & easily #AskAware
— Natrice Rese ?? (@NatriceR) November 18, 2015
A2 Home modifications can occur at any age with appropriate universal design that works for everyone in the home. #askaware
— Kathy Birkett (@SrCareCorner) November 18, 2015
Home modifications can occur at any age with appropriate universal design that works for everyone in the home. Anything that ensures ease of access, increase quality of life, and reduces risks falls under its purview. Computers and technology for monitoring can be classified under home modifications for the elderly as well.
Question Three: Are home modifications cost-effective?
Q3) Are home modifications cost-effective? #AskAware
— Aware Senior Care (@AwareSeniorCare) November 18, 2015
A3 – Each person needs to evaluate their situation; most of the time…YES! #AskAware
— BetterHomeAccess (@PerAccSolutions) November 18, 2015
A3 – Also if done properly it can increase the value of the home (NOT decrease the value) #AskAware
— BetterHomeAccess (@PerAccSolutions) November 18, 2015
Prevention worth cost. Keep free of injury or hospital, keep out of carehome Q3) Are home modifications cost-effective? #AskAware
— Kathy Birkett (@SrCareCorner) November 18, 2015
a3) In terms of cost effective if you don’t modify the home the alternative is moving #askaware. If it’s assisted living its $$
— Tim Murray (@TMurrayAware) November 18, 2015
A3 – Depending on what is needed…modifications have a break even point of 2-4 months as opposed to a facility #AskAware
— BetterHomeAccess (@PerAccSolutions) November 18, 2015
A3 if simple modifications the break even point will be less than 2 months #AskAware
— BetterHomeAccess (@PerAccSolutions) November 18, 2015
Most of the time, home modifications are cost-effective. While some expenses may seem costly up front, they are relatively small compared to how much treating an injury will cost in the hospital or how much a senior assisted living facility will cost on a monthly basis. Most mods will surpass their cost break-even point after less than two months.
Question Four: What are some typical bathroom modifications?
Q4) What are some typical bathroom modifications? #AskAware
— Aware Senior Care (@AwareSeniorCare) November 18, 2015
A4 – Most popular – Raised toilet, pedistal sink, barrier free shower, GRAB BARS #AskAware
— BetterHomeAccess (@PerAccSolutions) November 18, 2015
A4 – @Tmurrayaware there is different gradient of tile that should be used. There is an application that used to help #AskAware
— BetterHomeAccess (@PerAccSolutions) November 18, 2015
A4 Remove rugs, curbless shower, lever faucet, lighting, grab bars, raised toilet, spray shower handle, no skid flooring, phone #askaware
— Kathy Birkett (@SrCareCorner) November 18, 2015
Echo can control devices such as lights and switches from WeMo, Philips Hue, SmartThings, Insteon, and using your voice#akaware #askaware
— BetterHomeAccess (@PerAccSolutions) November 18, 2015
A4- even companies such as home depot and lowes have some smart applications as well #AskAware
— BetterHomeAccess (@PerAccSolutions) November 18, 2015
A4 – @Tim A removable shower chair can be an option. Also if proper reinforcement is in place one can be added to wall #AskAware
— BetterHomeAccess (@PerAccSolutions) November 18, 2015
We should be thinking universal design before we need it. My home has curbless shower and grab bars, planning ahead. #askaware
— Kathy Birkett (@SrCareCorner) November 18, 2015
Popular bathroom modifications for the elderly:
- Raised toilet
- Pedestal Sink
- Barrier-Free Shower
- Grab Bars
- Curbless showers
- No-skid flooring
- Voice-activated technology
It’s also worth considering universal design (i.e. – incorporating these changes) before you may need it. You never know what can happen!
Question Five: What are typical types of kitchen modification?
Q5) What are typical types of kitchen modification? #AskAware
— Aware Senior Care (@AwareSeniorCare) November 18, 2015
q5) #askaware one handy technology solution is auto off capability for the stove if left on too long
— Tim Murray (@TMurrayAware) November 18, 2015
A5 – Sinks can be lowered, Dishwasher can be raised, Microwave moved #AskAware
— BetterHomeAccess (@PerAccSolutions) November 18, 2015
a5 example of movable cabinets #askaware
— BetterHomeAccess (@PerAccSolutions) November 18, 2015
Examples of kitchen modifications:
- Auto-off stove (if left on for too long)
- Lower sinks
- Higher dishwasher
- Accessible microwave
- Movable cabinets
