| As we watch our population age, we as home | | | | look pretty good. |
| owners can take steps to make our homes more | | | | 5) Change dual water faucets to single-handle |
| user-friendly for our aging friends and family | | | | lever faucets. Nor only is the single-handle lever |
| members. Some of the things we can do can also | | | | easier to use than a knob, but there may be |
| help if we put our homes on the market in an | | | | lesser of a likelihood of burning one's self. |
| area with a lot of people who are buying their final | | | | 6) Make sure that all steps and stairs have good |
| home after retirement. Take a look at eight steps | | | | rails on both sides wherever possible. |
| we can take to make our homes more | | | | 7) Light everything up. Put night lights in wall |
| elder-friendly. | | | | outlets. Make sure entry ways have adequate |
| 1) Eliminate throw rugs. It is way too easy to | | | | lighting. Place lights by steps both inside and |
| catch a foot on a throw run and fall. Throw rugs | | | | outside. Make sure all rooms have adequate |
| also can bunch up, creating another tripping | | | | lighting. Make sure that there is adequate outdoor |
| hazard. | | | | lighting for all porches and paths. |
| 2) Install grab bars in bathrooms. They should be | | | | 8) Builders should do all of this and more in new |
| fitted per ADA guidelines and anchored solidly in | | | | homes. New construction should have halls and |
| walls. Grab bars should be installed by toilets and in | | | | doors wide enough for wheelchairs. Light switches |
| bathtubs and showers. | | | | should be lower on the wall so someone in a |
| 3) Change door knobs to lever handles. Arthritic | | | | wheelchair can access them easily. The switches |
| or weakened hands can have a difficult time | | | | should also be rocker switches rather than the up |
| grasping and turning a door knob. | | | | and down toggle switches. Showers should be built |
| 4) Elevate the dishwasher, washing machine and | | | | so that there is a very minimal step to go over. |
| clothes dryer. This will help to eliminate bending. | | | | Many of these things are fairly simple and |
| Simple pedestals can be put in place under the | | | | inexpensive and can maka a huge difference to |
| washer and dryer. The dishwasher might take a | | | | the elderly. |
| bit more work, but it can be done and it can even | | | | |
