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My spouse and I are thinking about making some modifications to our home so we can live here comfortably for as long as possible. Can you recommend some resources that can help us make our home safer as we grow older?
Many retirees, like you and your spouse, want to remain in their own home for as long as possible. But being able to do so will depend on how easy it is to update your home as you get older. There are key features and improvements you can make that will make your house safer and more convenient as you grow older.
The first step in making your home more livable as you age is to do an assessment. You should walk through each room and identify problem areas that have potential for tripping or slipping as well as areas that are difficult to access or maintain. There are several organizations that have checklists that point out potential problems in each area of the home, along with suggested modifications and solutions.
Rebuilding Together, for example, has a short “Safe at Home Checklist” that was created in partnership with the Administration on Aging and the American Occupational Therapy Association. To find the checklist, visit AOTA.org and search for “Rebuilding Together Safe at Home Checklist.”
The National Association of Home Builders also has a checklist that offers more than 100 suggestions to help homeowners aged 50 and over live safely, independently and comfortably. Their checklist can be found by visiting NAHB.org and searching for the “Aging-in-Place Remodeling Checklist.”
You may want to review AARP’s excellent resource guide that is filled with tips and diagrams to make your entire home safer and easier to live in as you age. You can access it at AARP.org, by searching for “HomeFit Guide.”
For more personalized help, consider scheduling a professional in-home assessment with an occupational therapist (OT). An OT can evaluate your home’s challenges and potential hazards, recommend solutions and introduce you to products and services to help you make improvements.
To find an OT in your area, check with your physician, health insurance provider, local hospital or seek recommendations from family and friends. Many health insurance providers, including Medicare, will cover the cost for a home assessment by an OT if prescribed by your doctor. However, Medicare will not cover the cost of upgrades to the home.
Another option is to contact a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS). CAPS are home remodelers and design professionals who specialize in aging-in-place home modifications. They can suggest ways to modify or remodel your home to fit your needs and budget. CAPS are generally paid by the hour or receive a flat fee per visit or project. To find a CAPS-certified professional in your area visit the National Association of Home Builders website at NAHB.org/capsdirectory where you can search by last name, credentials, state and city.
Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.
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