Home Modification for Elder-Friendly Living

No matter when the older person’s home was built and regardless of whether it is modern or traditional in style, it likely was designed for young adults and their young families. As adults age their homes also grow older, but most are not updated to accommodate the resident’s changing needs. Home adaptation or modification can provide friendlier elder living enabling the aging occupants to continue to live in the comfort of home.

The focus in making a home elder-friendly should always be on increasing and improving the following five elements:

• Self-sufficiency/self-reliance
• Mobility
• Safety
• Security
• Comfort/convenience

It is probably not possible to make any home accident-proof and so that should not be the main goal of home modification. Where possible, emphasis should be placed on preserving and strengthening the capabilities of the older person rather than on coping with limitations or disabilities. This is particularly important if a family member introduces the concept of home modification. The elderly relative must recognize and accept the need for change and should be involved as much as possible in the process. It would be contrary to the goal of enhancing independence to foist unwelcome changes on a reluctant older person. The exception, of course, would be someone suffering from dementia who is unable to meaningfully participate in such decision making.

One way to begin explaining the need for and process of home modification to an older person is to illustrate the use and practicality of some small items. Purchasing several independence-enhancing products as holiday gifts and demonstrating their use might help overcome future resistance.

Decide How and When Home Modification is to be Undertaken
The best time to start thinking about home modification to meet the needs of aging is long before the need actually arises. Ideally, people in their fifties and sixties should prepare their homes for later installations while they are doing routine home improvements and repairs. Extra wide doorways that can accommodate a wheelchair can be an attractive feature in any home. Strong supports can be installed behind tile walls when updating bathrooms to later accommodate grab bars.

It is always best to undertake home modification before a crisis occurs so that the work can be carefully planned and budgeted. Before any changes in the home environment are considered, a thorough room-by-room assessment of the surroundings should be made. This should include consideration of the resident’s current and future needs, the way in which he/she uses the home and its contents and any barriers that might limit movement or access. A good general safety checklist that can be used for this purpose is available without cost from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in Washington D.C.

Many design publications written by or for professional home designers, architects and construction contractors are available by mail, in bookstores or on the Internet. These provide extensive information including instructions for building ramps and installing grab bars. These publications range in cost from under $10 to more than $80.