Q. What is Aging-in-Place?
Aging-in-Place is the concept that people can continue to live in their own homes and communities as they age, as opposed to being forced to move to assisted living or nursing homes or moving in with family members. Aging-in-Place often requires modifications to the home to accommodate changes that come with age such as medical conditions, disabilities, and decreases in strength.
“In plain English, aging-in-place means remaining in one’s home safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level. It means the pleasure of living in a familiar environment throughout one’s maturing years, and the ability to enjoy the familiar daily rituals and the special events that enrich all our lives. It means the reassurance of being able to call a house a ‘home’ for a lifetime.”
-as defined by National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
Q. What are Home Modifications?
Home modifications are changes made to adapt living spaces to meet the needs of people with physical limitations so that they can continue to live independently and safely. These modifications may include adding assistive technology or making structural changes to a home.
Modifications can range from something as simple as replacing cabinet doorknobs with pull handles to installing stair lifts and widening doorways to full-scale construction projects such as creating a ground-floor master suite or home addition.
Examples of home modifications include:
- Grab bars in the bathroom (including by the bathtub, shower, and toilet)
- Handheld, flexible shower heads
- Handrails on both sides of staircases and for outside steps
- Lever-operated faucets that are easy to turn on and off
- Sliding or revolving shelves for cabinets in the kitchen
- Walk-in showers
Q. Why would I need Home Modifications?
The main benefit of making home modifications is that they promote independence and prevent accidents. According to a recent AARP survey, “83% of older Americans want to stay in their current homes for the rest of their lives.” However, other studies show that most homes are not designed to accommodate the needs of people over age 65.
Many people live in homes that are more than 20 years old. As these buildings get older along with their residents, they may become harder to live in or maintain. A house that was perfectly suitable for an individual at age 55, for example, may have too many stairs or slippery surfaces for a person who is 70 or 80. Research by the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that home modifications and repairs may prevent 30% to 50% of all home accidents among seniors.
Q. Why Safe Living Solutions-Transitions?
Safe Living is a one-stop solution for all of your home evaluation and modification needs. Other companies offer home safety audits and then refer you to home renovation contractors who may or may not have C.A.P.S. designation as certified to perform home modifications for aging-in-place. At Safe Living, we can fulfill your needs if you just want an evaluation, if you’ve had an evaluation and need modifications, or if you need a comprehensive solution that careful evaluates your particular needs and offers certified construction services to make whatever modifications are required.
Q. What is Universal Design?
Universal Design is the design of products and environments to be attractive and usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. Universal Design features contribute to the convenience and function of products by making them safer, easier to use, and in some cases, more comfortable. Universal Design doesn’t just make a home livable for wheelchair users or the elderly; it makes life easier for everyone. Examples of Universal Design include single-lever faucets, which make it easier to turn on the water not only for people who have limited hand strength or an injury but also for fully functioning healthy adults and bathrooms with non-slip flooring that are safer and more functional for everyone. Universal Design becomes a virtually invisible element of a home when done well.
Q. What is Accessible Design?
Designs or products placed in homes to make operation, access, or manipulation easier are considered Accessible Design. Most accessible features are determined by individual needs and are designed to accommodate a particular disability or limitation. Criteria for accessible design are largely determined by a detailed assessment of the individual’s needs within the home. Examples of accessible design include lowered counters, switches and controls in easily reached locations, and ramps, stair lifts, or elevators in place of steps.
Q. What is Visitability?
Visitability is making modifications to certain parts of your home to allow for friends and relatives with limitations or disabilities to visit your home with ease and comfort. You may not want to make modifications to your entire home but just to the main level so that people can visit you safely and with easy access.
Q. How Can I Afford Home Modifications?
There are a number of possible ways to finance the modifications to your home that will allow you to remain living there for years to come. Home equity loans and reverse mortgages may be viable options, depending on the amount of equity you have in your home. We can work with you to determine the best way for you to finance the modifications to your home that will allow you to remain living there independently and with dignity.
Q. Are Home Modifications Cost Effective?
When considering the cost of home modifications, a useful comparison may be the cost of assisted living or institutional care. A comprehensive home modification will cost just a fraction of what assisted living or institutional care would entail in a single year. And the home modification will allow you to live in the home you love for years to come. Not only will that provide dramatic cost savings, but it will give you peace of mind that you can comfortably remain in the home you feel most comfortable in.