11 Ways to Make Any Home More Senior-friendly

George Burns really knew how to turn a phrase, and he somehow managed to live it out to the ripe old age of 100 on the nose.  So, if we are trying to use fewer steps, and take those steps more carefully in our dotage, what can we do to make the home more convenient, safer, easier?

According to disabled-world.com, there are simple things to remember to make your home more senior-friendly:

1. Carpeting in the home should be low-profile. The padding should be no more than 3/8″ thick. This makes it easier to navigate with a walker or wheelchair and makes up for poor balance.
2. Doors should be wide enough to allow access for a wheelchair or walker.
3. If the home has stairs, make sure there’s at least one handrail that goes the full length of the stairs. And the stairwell should have adequate lighting.
4. A walk-in shower is preferred to a standard tub. If a standard tub is used, a tub bar clamp can be securely attached to the side of the tub and help with going in and out safely.
5. Toilets that are a few inches taller are becoming the standard in newer homes.
6. Look for storage space and cabinets that are within easy reach. A suction tip “reacher” can help retrieve items out of reach.
7. A side-by-side refrigerator is often a good choice, as many more items can be placed within easy reach and the doors are not as wide.
8. Islands for food preparation are typically taller than the counters, which allows for better access while standing.
9. A front-loading washer and dryer mounted on stands takes the bending and lifting out of doing laundry.
10. Electric stoves are safer to use than gas stoves, as people often lose the ability to smell as they age.
11. If there are steps going into the home and a walker or wheelchair is needed, a ramp, either temporary or permanent, can be used.