Bill had always assumed that his parents would live in the home that he grew up in. His mother and father hated the idea of ending up in a retirement or a nursing home. "That's where you go to die," Bill's dad told him.

One day Bill's mother fell while carrying a basket of laundry to the basement. Fortunately, her injuries weren't serious. But the accident scared Bill, and worse, he found out that the fall wasn't the first; his dad, who had arthritis, had fallen a couple of times getting in and out of the shower. Bill started to worry that the home his parents had lived in for nearly 50 years wasn't safe for them.

Many retirees plan on growing old in their own homes. But when people reach their 80s, about one in three need help doing ordinary tasks around their homes. For some seniors, living at home is a serious health risk.

Some signs, such as injuries, are impossible to miss. Other signs are more subtle. Warning signs that that your parents are having trouble handling everyday chores include:

• Rooms that have remained untouched or unused for a long period of time
• Chores that are left undone (especially cleaning and yard work)
• Pans with burn marks on the bottom
• Unexplained changes in routine

If you and your parents live far apart, you don't necessarily have to move in with them (or vice versa), and you don't have to send them to a retirement home. You and your parents can take steps to ensure their home will remain livable and safe as they get older.

Making modifications and repairs can prevent as many as half of the accidents that plague older people in their homes. You can suggest several simple and inexpensive changes for them to make in order to do things like cooking, cleaning and climbing stairs more safely:

• Using supportive devices, such as canes or walkers
• Checking regularly that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors work
• Using long-handled sponges, dusters and grippers so your parents don't have to climb on a stool or bend down
• Wearing socks or slippers with treads on them
• Avoiding walking on slippery tile or linoleum with wet feet
• Store commonly used items where they can be easily reached

You can also improve an older person's safety by setting up a checkup system. This can be as formal as a paid arrangement with a telephone reassurance or emergency response service, or as informal as arranging to have a different relative, neighbor or friend visit each evening.

One final way to keep an older relative safe is to move him into a universal design home, built for senior citizens and disabled people. They include ramps, accessible lighting and rails in bathrooms.

Key Tip 1

Before making any major renovations to accommodate an older person's needs, consider consulting a professional. Occupational and physical therapists can do home safety evaluations. In addition to looking at structural issues of the home, they can evaluate how an older person moves around within that space. By evaluating both the senior and the setting, better options might be found.

Key Tip 2

Although home modifications can be expensive, they might be tax deductible if they're made for medical reasons. Talk to your doctor and accountant to see if you can get a tax break.

Key Tip 3

For many people, simple changes such as improving lighting, putting grab bars in the bathrooms and bedrooms and eliminating slippery floor surfaces are enough to improve the safety of a home and make it more livable.

People with serious physical problems may require more extensive upgrades. Check for stairways that are poorly lit, narrow or steep. It may be necessary to relocate laundry rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms to the first floor.

Key Tip 4

Modifying the home isn't the only trick to making older people safer – they may need to modify their behavior. Many older people put themselves at risk by allowing strangers to enter their homes, refusing to use devices such as canes, walkers or hearing aids, and standing on stools or other furniture to dust or reach shelves. Informing an older person about these hazards can be as important as installing safety devices.

Specifics

Identifying Problems

You may need to do a bit of detective work to figure out if a relative is having trouble at home. Ideally, you should make the necessary changes before your relative gets hurt, so you should check out things thoroughly and often. If you don't live nearby, have a friend or neighbor spend some time at your relative's house as well.

Warning signs that relative may be struggling to live alone include:

• Difficulty getting in and out of the shower
• Slipping in the tub or shower
• Difficulty turning faucet handles and doorknobs
• Trouble using a standard toilet
• Problems climbing stairs
• Bruises caused by falls
• Changes in cleaning or grooming habits
• Sudden withdrawal from social situations

Inspect Trouble Spots

Whether you're checking out your relative's home to make sure it's safe or preparing your own home for a relative to move in, the first step is to inspect for:

• Broken smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Household cleaners and chemicals without clear labels
• Rooms where furniture blocks fire escape routes
• Frayed electric cords or overloaded outlets
• Hot water heaters that are set over 120 degrees Fahrenheit
• Light switches that are difficult to reach
• Loose carpet edges, throw rugs or slippery linoleum or wood floors
• Poorly lit rooms or stairs
• Frequently used items stored on high shelves
• Stairs without banisters or railings
• Windows or doors that don't open easily
• A stove that doesn't function properly

You should also make sure that emergency numbers are prominently displayed near phones and that flashlights are easily available.

Modify the Home

Prevent falls. To help keep older people steady on their feet:

• Make sure throw rugs and runners are taped down with double-sided carpet tape
• Place nonslip strips on stairs, kitchen and bathroom floors and in the bathtub
• Install grip bars beside the toilet and shower
• Make sure all rooms are lit properly and that there aren't electric cords or furniture in the middle of rooms
• Make sure there's a light that your relative can turn on while still sitting in bed
• Make sure hallways and bathrooms are lit at night
• Install banisters or handrails on all sets of stairs
• Install ramps to replace outside steps or short flights of inside stairs

Check out the kitchen. Kitchens offer all kinds of hazards. And sometimes, older people who find it increasingly difficult to function well in their kitchens stop eating properly. To make kitchens safer:

• Clearly mark the knobs on the stove, in large type if necessary
• Make sure that the oven and refrigerator doors are easy to open
• Arrange the kitchen with frequently used items in easily accessible places

Check windows and doors. Windows and doors should be easy to open. You might want to replace doorknobs with handles that are easier to grasp. If your relative uses a wheelchair or walker, doorways should be wide enough to accommodate him. Make sure front and back doors don't have dangerous steps next to them.

Use a contractor for major modifications. Projects such as installing ramps or a chairlift for stairs are too complicated for most people to do competently. To make sure your contractor is trustworthy and reliable:

• Get recommendations from friends who've had similar projects completed
• Get bids from several contractors
• Hire a licensed and bonded contractor
• Ask for references from previous customers; ask to see some of the contractor's completed projects
• Check with your local Better Business Bureau and municipal office regarding the contractor's reliability and performance record
• Be specific about the work that you want and insist on a written agreement, with only a small down payment
• Consider having the agreement reviewed by your lawyer if it's complicated
• Don't make the final payment before the project is completed

Assess Behavior

Help your aging relative stay healthy. Make sure she has her vision and hearing checked regularly and that she uses devices such as hearing aids or a walker. If she's taking medication, find out about side effects, such as drowsiness, and possible drug interactions. Let her know that with medication, it's a good idea to limit the amount of alcohol she drinks. And everyone can benefit from regular exercise; do some research to find out what kind of exercises will suit her circumstances and keep her muscles and coordination in good shape.

Prevent crime. Older people are prime targets for fraud and other crime. Warn your aging father to be especially wary of door-to-door or telephone salespeople. Install a peephole or window in his front door, make sure all locks in his house function properly, and check to see if he can use them easily. You might also want to consider installing a security system.

Prepare for emergencies. In addition to checking smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, make sure your senior knows several escape routes in case of fire or other emergency. Other steps you can take include:

• Making sure phones have emergency numbers close by.
• Making sure there are phones on every floor and that they're easy to use.
• Placing medical identification information in your relative's wallet and making sure she wears an ID bracelet if she has medical conditions that emergency workers should know about.
• Paying for a medical alert system, also known as a personal emergency response system (PERS) that includes a beeper or button your relative can press for help in case of emergency. Often, hospitals and community centers offer this service.

Have someone check in on an older person regularly. You can pay to have someone call or visit, or set up an arrangement with a neighbor or friend.

FAQs

My aging aunt can get around her house just fine. Should we wait to make changes?

That depends on how your aunt feels about it and on the resources available. If money is an issue and she feels strongly about staying in the home, it might be in her best interest to adapt the home a little at a time.

I worry about my grandfather, but I don't think we can afford any home modifications. Aren't they expensive?

Many health insurance policies will cover home adaptation. Read the policy carefully, focusing on what's covered and noting specific exclusions. Before you file a claim, get written statements from doctors, physical therapists and other health professionals stating that the changes are needed for health reasons. Medicare and Medicaid will pay for some devices related to recovery from acute health problems, including hospital beds, walkers and raised toilet seats.

Is the cost of home modification tax deductible?

Possibly, if the changes are medically necessary. Check updated tax laws regarding deductions for equipment, furnishings and permanent changes that make homes safer for senior citizens.

 

Your program is here to help you along the journey of life. No situation is too big or too small. When you and your household members need assistance, reach out anytime and we will help get you on the right path to meet your needs.

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