Home is where the heart is. You have worked hard to purchase a home, and you’ve worked hard to make it comfortable for you. Which is why it is not surprising that close to 80 percent of adults 65 years or older want to remain in their current residence as long as they possibly can as an alternative to institutional care, according to a 2012 AARP study. Why would you want to move somewhere else when you can stay in the comfort of your own home?
Being able to stay in your in home as you age may not be possible for everyone, but there are certain improvements one can make that address physical changes you experience with aging such as changes in mobility, vision and accessibility. The best place to start is your bathroom, because this can be one of the riskiest rooms for older adults as they age.
Here are a few bathroom renovations you can make, to assist being able to age in place more safely and comfortably:
- Raise fixtures. Increase the height of your toilet or sink. Replacing a standard toilet with one that is two to three inches taller can make a huge difference in the lives of those experiencing mobility issues.
- Replace older faucets. Turning handles that are too tight or trying to turn anything with arthritis pain can be laborious. Switch to lever style faucets so it is easier to turn your sink or shower on and off.
- Secure your bathing environment. Bathrooms have slick surfaces that are easy to slip on and the problem only gets worse when you add water to the mix. Install grab bars to help you stabilize yourself when climbing in and out of the tub. Install slip resistant flooring that helps reduce your risk of slipping in the tub. Or you could install a walk-in tub that is specifically designed for people with mobility issues.
While some of these changes may be easy to do on your own, there are some that may require professional help, and you may not be able to afford them. If you would like to stay in your home, but need to make improvements so that you can age more safely, you may want to consider a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) loan. To learn more, call 1.800.976.6211, today.