6 Things Responsible Retirees Need To Upgrade in Their House
Written by
Stacy Sare Cohen
Edited by
Rebekah Evans
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The right home upgrades, such as grab bars, ramps, and other home modifications, can help retirees stay safe and independent as they age in place — and avoid costly medical bills along the way.
According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM), older adults incur $19.8 billion in medical costs each year, due to 2.3 million emergency department visits and 922,428 inpatient visits related to falls.
Many of these injuries are linked to fall hazards in and around the home and can be avoided with simple home upgrades. GOBankingRates reached out to aging-in-place and home-renovation specialists to identify the home projects that responsible retirees always upgrade.
Widen Doorways and Walkways
Narrow doorways and walkways are difficult to navigate for wheelchair and walker users and their caregivers, who may assist them at home.
“Expanding doorways to 36 inches and ensuring your walkways are at least 42 inches give you freedom,” said Stephen Huber, aging-in-place strategist and president of Home Care Providers. “Doors can easily be expanded for under $3,000 each when renovating. That’s less than most ER visits.”
Create a Flush Level Floor Throughout the House
One of the best upgrades for aging in place is creating a single-flush-level floor across the home’s footprint, said CEO and designer Jennifer Homeyer of The Design House, a bathroom remodeling company.
“Eliminating the lip of traditional floor transitions and reducing the variety of flooring materials used, while keeping the same flooring height, drastically reduces the risk of falling, especially for retirees with mobility issues.” Homeyer said, adding that this not only helps ease the use of walkers and wheelchairs, but it also adds aesthetic appeal to the space.
Install Anti-Scald Mixing Valves
“Elderly skin can be burned in a matter of seconds,” Huber said.
He recommended installing anti-scald mixing valves under sinks and in showers to prevent scalding from hot water. These valves keep the water temperature at 120 F, can be installed in less than 30 minutes and typically cost less than $100 each, Huber added.
Opt for Automated Window Treatments
Trying to open and close windows or adjust sunlight or privacy, in a tight space or with out-of-reach windows that can only be reached with a ladder, can lead to injury. A great solution for those who want to control the natural light entering the room and maintain privacy while ensuring safety is to install automated window treatments, Homeyer said.
Consider Zero-Entry Showers
Tripping over a bathtub creates a significant fall risk and limits the available space while bathing. Expansive zero-entry showers are an upgrade that responsible retirees consider.
“Many of our clients are moving away from tubs and converting that space into large, zero-entry showers with enough room for shower chairs or built-in benches and doors wide enough for assistive devices,” Homeyer explained.
Apart from accessibility, they can be designed with designer elements like premium tiling that appeal to a homeowner’s taste.
Add Automatic Lighting
As we age, our eyesight starts to fail. Installing automated lighting fixtures, such as motion sensors, can help illuminate walkways and pathways and reduce the risk of falls. “[Make] sure the primary entrance you use is well-lit for coming and going at night and the path to the bathroom is well-lit,” said Brandy Archie, occupational therapist with AskSamie, who does home environment safety assessments for seniors.
She explained this can easily be achieved with plug-in or battery-operated motion-activated nightlights or under-bed lighting that turns on when you step out of bed.
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