How Ready Is Your Home for Aging in Place?

Here's a handy checklist from the National Association of Home Builders: https://www.nahb.org/en/learn/designations/certified-aging-in-place-specialist/related-resources/aging-in-place-remodeling-checklist.aspx

Some builders are stacking closets in multi-story homes so that the closets can become an elevator shaft if the
resident(s) can no longer maneuver the steps.

I recently had a hip replacement. This required a few weeks of using a walker. I found my home entrance doors into the bathroom were only 32" wide. Walkers need a minimum of a 36" door. Big problem!

Also two story homes are out! Make sure you have a first floor master with accessible bathrooms.

Toilet seat height was also critical as seat to low are impossible to stand up from

Just some thoughts to consider

To enter a too-narrow doorway with a walker, turn the walker sideways.

To rise from a too-low toilet, use a grab bar or a device which puts handles on either side of the toilet. Practice rising from a chair regularly as part of your daily exercise; this exercise strengthens the core. If possible, do as much as you can before surgery to establish a good baseline of strength; this will make recovery better. To rise from a chair or seat, move butt forward, then bow ("Bow to the queen.) and rise. Swing arms forward if necessary, or push up with chair's arms.

I have never heard of non-slip flooring used in a home, as suggested in this article for " staying in place".
Can anyone give me a few examples of on-the-market products and where in the home they might be used?

I bought a walker off the shelf recently from CVS or Walgreens and it was 22" wide. The entrance to our downstairs bathroom is 25" which is narrow but workable. Cannot find a wheel chair that can pass through but have found a transport chair that just barely makes it.

Sandra, if you search on the Internet for non-slip flooring you will come up with some products. Much of it has to do with increasing friction on the surface. But another big part is putting rugs with non-slip backings down in areas that get wet - like at the sink or in the bathroom. Some cloth throw rugs are actually a problem unless they have some kind of backing to keep them in place. Carpet is generally a lot less slippery than tiles or wood floors.

I've been surprised at how few 55+ developers offer aging in place packages, such as grab bars near toilets, comfort-height toilets, elevated washers-dryers, etc. The only thing that I've noted lately is that many of them are eliminating large or jetted tubs as an option in 55+ homes, presumably on the theory that old people shouldn't take baths due to the risk of falling.

I have found very inexpensive toilet safety rails on Amazon, which assist signficantly with risng even from comfort height toilets. They just get installed under the toilet seat. Another issue with the newer 55+ homes though is putting commodes into a separate "closet." While this closet might be convenient for couples, the little cubby where it's tucked might be too narrow to use safety rails.