Home Modifications bring Safety and Peace of Mind
Published: Thursday, September 18, 2008
 We've all heard that advances in medicine are helping people live longer than ever before. But the ramifications of an aging population are many. Whether you're thinking of caring for an elderly family member in your own home, or worrying about whether your parents are well enough to continue to live at home alone, safety issues are likely at the top of your list of concerns. Keeping the elderly safe at home isn't as hard as you might think - often a few simple modifications are all that is required to adapt most houses or apartments.
It's not unusual to find senior citizens who have lived in the same house for decades. "If you've lived in your home for forty years you are not only most comfortable there, you are likely safer because you know the space so well," explains Irene Martin, president of Retire-At-Home, a company she founded with the desire to provide the support and services needed to help people continue to live in their own homes as long as they wish.
"With seniors, the biggest worry is falling. Ninety per cent of broken hips come from falls, so safety and accident prevention are key," explains Ms. Martin. "Often there are medication issues which can lead to falls so it becomes extremely important to try to identify and remediate any potential problems in the home environment," she adds. "As part of our comprehensive and ongoing assessments, we not only monitor a client's health issues - our care workers also constantly check on safety issues when they are in the home and can make recommendations or direct people to the equipment available to make life easier as mobility declines," says Ms. Martin.
Sage Solutions for Independent Living is one local supplier of products designed to ensure seniors remain safe in the home. "From non-slip stair tread coverings to curbless shower stalls to accessible bathtubs with a transfer seat, we have a wide variety of specially engineered products to help you adapt your home to changing needs as mobility decreases. Best of all, these products are specifically designed for residential settings, so your home will not look institutional," explains Robert Howlett, president of Sage Solutions.
"We supply products as well as renovation services designed to make it easier to carry out the tasks of daily living and to maintain independence," he adds. "With our experience, we can help determine what are the best and most cost-effective ways to make your space work for your current and future needs."
The most common home modifications, according to Mr. Howlett, are in the bathroom. "Doorways can be widened and repositioned, pocket doors can be installed. Often we remove bathtubs and replace them with ceramic or prefabricated low-threshold showers. Counter tops can be lowered and traditional sinks can be replaced with accessible wall-hung sinks. We can also install a higher toilet that is easier to lift off from or one that can accommodate a commode."
Access to and safety within the house are other key areas of concern. According to Mr. Howlett, access to the house usually involves constructing ramps, landscaping walkways to ensure they are level and, if necessary, installing mechanical lifts. Access within the house might involve improvements to lighting, widening doorways, replacing doors and door hardware and installing stair lifts. Other possibilities, says Ms. Martin, include installing support poles or rails that can make getting in and out of chairs or beds much easier, as well as removing scatter rugs and poorly-fitted or thick carpets which do not provide solid footing.
Mr. Howlett advises that when making modifications for seniors, you should follow the same golden rule for any renovation, which is to make your space pleasing and functional. "Resale shouldn't be a concern as many modifications can be as easy to remove as they are to install. For example, we are an authorized dealer for Best Bath Systems, the leader in barrier-free showers and baths. This product has a beautiful, ceramic-like appearance and because it's modular it can be taken out very easily."
When it comes to implementing modifications, expert advice can go a long way. "There are lots of products out there, says Mr. Howlett, "but some are better than others.
In particular, we've sourced architectural products that are very functional but much more esthetically pleasing than you might expect. Having done all the research, we are glad to share this expertise with our clients and save them time, money and frustration."
Both Ms. Martin and Mr. Howlett caution that it is also very important to work with a contractor who understands mobility issues and how to correctly install the appropriate products. Both Retire-At-Home and Sage Solutions have a network of trusted contractors and provide an integrated approach to home modifications, involving family members, physical therapists, caregivers and medical staff to be sure everyone is on the same page and the senior's needs are being properly addressed.
"The concept of aging in place is really important due to both demographics and the cost of retirement living. When an environment is modified, the attitude of the individual changes. A safer environment is not only more comfortable, it's seamless to use and does not reinforce the fact that you are aging," says Mr. Howlett. "A safe home can provide you with a much more positive self-image."
"Modifications to the home are often not very costly but can bring great peace of mind," adds Ms. Martin. "It serves to acknowledge that people love their homes and treasure their independence."
Paula Roy, The Ottawa Citizen
Click here for more information on the Retire-At-Home Bathroom Safety and Home Modifications services. |
![[Web Site] home care for seniors - elderly home care agency](/img/logo.gif){kind=logo}
