Transition your home for aging in place | Homepagelatest

Preparing a home for aging parents, relatives or yourself can be a challenge.

But with help from local professionals, there are many ways to transition a home for safety and comfort.

Being able to move around the home is a priority, said Perry Pascucci, owner Walk-in Tubs of Oklahoma, and bathrooms are a big problem area.

“Accidents in the bathroom are the leading cause of broken hips and other injuries, including arms,” he said. “As we grow older, we can become unstable easily.”

Climbing into and out of a bathtub can be difficult and dangerous with its wet surface. For older residents, getting into a bathtub can be difficult, and going from the seated position to standing can also pose a potential problem.

That’s why walk-in tubs have become more popular with aging homeowners, he said. His business will be one of more than 100 vendors at the Senior Living Expo on Saturday at Renaissance Hotel & Convention Center, 6808 S. 107th East Ave.

The special tubs allow people to open a door to step into the tub and sit in a raised seat rather than climbing over the side of a tub and resting at the bottom of it.

“There are different types of tubs available that offer outward opening doors that make it easier for them to get into and that have seats that come up to their height,” he said. “There’s no stepping up or over the side.”

When Pascucci meets with clients interested in preventing injuries as a result of aging, there is a wide range of things to cover in a home. Here are some other areas that can be improved for aging in place:

Lighting

While it sounds simple, improved lighting can prevent falls anywhere in the home. Pascucci recommends placing lights in low-lying areas, such as steps or stairs, to show people where their feet are going.

Wheelchair access

For people in wheelchairs or those who use walkers, the ability to move freely between rooms is important. Widening hallways or doorways can help lower the risk of falls when maneuvering with a walker or a wheelchair. Adding ramps where there are steps can also improve access to a room.

Countertops and cabinet heights

In the kitchen and bathroom, countertops and cabinets can cause problems for people with limited reach. The height of countertops can be adjusted for better use, and rotating shelves are available that can be installed to provide better access, Pascucci said. The shelves will swing to a lower position for someone to access and then can be moved back to the original place.

Seating in the shower

Aside from chairs that can be moved into the bathroom, wall-mounted seats that can fold up or down in the shower offer a safe place for showering. They can be attached to the wall or built into a shower or tub.

Second-story access

If climbing stairs becomes difficult, there are options for chair lifts or elevator installation. Another option might be moving a bedroom or living area from the second story to the first floor for ease of mobility.

Other considerations

Beyond mobility in a home, there are other things to consider when transitioning a space for older residents. Everyday objects, such as faucets and doorknobs, may become problematic depending on a person’s ability to grip or hold things. Each person will have different needs, Pascucci said, what matters is making it easy to live at home.

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