Home Sweet Accessible Home!

Posted on

May 11, 2020

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A report by the National Conference of State Legislatures and the AARP Public Policy Institute revealed that nearly 90 percent of surveyed seniors over age 65 want to stay in their current residence for as long as possible, and 80 percent believe that their current residence is where they will always live, but many of those homes are not equipped to let them age in place.
The idea of staying at home is appealing because it does not involve any major life changes. You can keep your circle of friends and community, shop at the same familiar stores, visit your favorite restaurants, keep your daily routine. But, as situations change, there comes a time when staying at home can become a source of stress rather than a comfort.
The key is to evaluate your home and determine what needs to be changed before any major health issues arise. You dont want to be making remodeling decisions when you are in the middle of dealing with a health crisis. Start planning now before any issues arise and you can space out the work and expense over a period of time.
Lets look at some easy, affordable ways to stay safe and independent in your home.

Make an entrance safer with a modular ramp, railings and smooth threshold transitions between rooms and outdoor decks or patios.
Add safety rails and grab bars in the bathroom.
Add a stair lift or platform lift for safe access to the upper and/or lower level.
Widen the doorways and hallways to accommodate walkers, scooters or wheelchairs
Add lever handles to doors, cabinets and faucets for easier opening.

When you are ready to start a project, look for a company with accessibility experience, who is familiar with the Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines and local zoning laws. A Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) has been trained by the National Association of Home Builders on remodeling existing homes to age-in-place Take advantage of a FREE evaluation to review your needs.
Starting to add these changes now will help you stay comfortable in your home sweet home for years to come. Amramp has been making life accessible for seniors and people with mobility challenges for over 20 years. Amramp is a national organization with local, factory-trained professionals and with local inventory.
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Editors Note: This article was contributed by Kristin Swanick of Amramp.

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