An older adult may prefer to live at home as they age rather than move to a senior living community. The key to aging in place (living at home as you age) is to ensure every area of the home is as safe as possible. In addition to the obvious areas like the bathroom and kitchen, you also want to consider the main living areas. Here, we highlight senior-friendly renovations and modifications that will help make entryways, the dining area, hallways, stairs, and living areas safer for aging in place. We suggest solutions that can cost nothing as well as renovation ideas for those with a larger budget.
Remember for all the projects below: Whether the suggested tasks are simple or involved projects, be sure to recruit family members or friends to help. Making your living space safe isn’t safe if you’re doing it alone and risking injury.
Free or low-cost modifications
Even if your budget doesn’t allow for a full-blown renovation, you can start making senior-friendly changes to your home right away. Here are a few of our favorite free or low-cost home renovations for seniors.
Rearrange furniture
Rearranging furniture is one of the most straightforward no-cost modifications you can make to your home. Some ideas include the following:
- Create clear pathways by removing furniture, like tables, from hallways to make them wider.
- Put a couch or a table in front of outlets with multiple cords to prevent tripping hazards.
- Keep knickknacks and picture frames off tables where they can easily be knocked to the floor. Display them on shelves instead.
- Clear a spot for medical equipment like a walker or an oxygen concentrator so they don’t obstruct walkways.
- Place a chair where you might need to rest at a moment’s notice, like at the bottom of the stairs, next to a closet, or in the entryway. Be sure that the resting spot does not interfere with walking paths.
Remove area rugs
Rugs can make a space more inviting and comfortable, but they can also be dangerous. A sliding rug can cause you to slip and fall, while the edges and corners can cause you to trip.
If you love your area rugs and you have it in your budget, you might consider replacing them with low-pile carpeting. Alternatively, if you decide to remove your area rugs, you can ensure that you have warm and comfortable nonslip slippers or “inside shoes” to enjoy the warmth of what the rugs provide without sacrificing your safety.
Anchor furniture to the wall
Top-heavy furniture isn’t just a hazard for small children. It can be dangerous for seniors, too. You should anchor large furniture items to the wall. Many come with brackets to do so, but you can also find no-drill anchors that don’t require you to move the furniture to install them, as well as zip-tie anchors that can wrap around the legs of furniture.
You should anchor the following types of furniture to your wall:
- Bookcases.
- TV stands.
- Dressers and chests of drawers.
- China cabinets and hutches.
- Filing cabinets.
- Wardrobes and armoires.
- Grandfather clocks.
Budget-friendly adjustments for seniors
If you have a little extra money in your budget, there are some high-impact changes and home renovations that are perfect for seniors who are aging in place.
Get a medical alert system
A medical alert system is a great solution if you’re worried about experiencing a medical emergency or a fall in your home. You can find one that costs less than $20 a month, and you can even find stylish systems so you don’t have to wear a pendant button around your neck. You can find smartwatches, tablets, and wall buttons. Certain systems even allow you to use your phone as a medical alert device.
Having a medical alert system in your home comes with benefits like the following:
- Some systems detect if you’ve experienced a fall and send emergency responders to your home right away.
- Because many devices are water-resistant, they can be used in the bathroom, at the kitchen sink, and by the pool.
- Many feature two-way communication so you can speak directly with an emergency center representative about your situation.
Update door handles
Door handles can become difficult to turn as we age and our grip strength decreases. Updating the handles can make it much easier to open your doors.
Here are a few senior-friendly door handle styles:
- Lever door handles are easy to grasp and push down, making them a great option for those with arthritis. You can also open them with your elbow or wrist, which is handy if your grip strength is limited or your hands are full.
- Thumb lever door handles feature a handle to grasp on the bottom and a button to push down on with your thumb. Although they are a little less straightforward to operate than lever door handles, they may be a more stylish option.
- UltraLatch handles have a T-shape you pull down or push in when opening the door. This makes it ideal for those with injuries or disabilities. You can easily open the door by pulling with your elbow or pushing the latch with your hip.
If you don’t want to replace your existing door handles, consider a doorknob cover. Door knob covers make traditional door knobs easier to grip with textured surfaces and molded hand grips; some even glow in the dark.
Improve lighting
You can prevent many accidents in the home with the right lighting. Here are some ways you can improve the lighting throughout your home:
- Replace overhead lights with bright white LEDs on a dimmer switch. It mimics the look of daylight, which illuminates interior spaces better. Having a dimmer switch allows you to control the brightness in the evening.
- Install motion-sensor lighting in dark areas. These lights are perfect for coat closets, under furniture, and entryways.
- Plug light-sensing nightlights in hallways. These lights automatically turn on when it gets dark. To keep your outlets open, consider installing outlet covers with built-in night lights.
- Add additional lamps to areas that need more lighting. For example, you might add a table and a lamp to illuminate an entryway or an extra light source to cabinets and bookshelves.
Home renovation ideas
If you’re looking for high-impact home renovations for seniors and have a bigger budget, these are some of the best ways to make your home more senior-friendly.
Raise outlets and modify switches
Electrical outlets can be challenging to access as we age because they’re so close to the floor. Have an electrical contractor move them 18 inches above the floor. That way they’re much easier to reach while standing or sitting, but they aren’t so high that they look out of place.
If you have high light switches or if you regularly use a wheelchair or a scooter, consider having them lowered so they’re easier to reach.
If you’re tech-savvy and have the budget, consider modifying the outlets and switches in your home with smart systems. You can:
- Install smart outlets to turn electronics, including lamps, on and off with your smartphone. It’s especially handy if you worry that you left an appliance running, like a hair curler, while you’re out of the house.
- Use Amazon Echo or Google Home to turn your lights off and lock the door using your voice.
- Install smart light switches that allow you to turn overhead lighting on and off and even dim the light using your smartphone.
Install a stair lift
Having a stair lift in your home can make it easier to access an upstairs bedroom or a living area down in the basement. They also prevent slips and falls down the stairs, which can result in serious injuries.
They have safety features that include:
- An extended track so you can get on and off the chairlift while on the floor and not the stairs.
- A footrest to keep your feet safely out of the way while the chair is moving.
- Armrests and a backrest for comfort and stability.
- Some have a seat belt for added safety.
- They are secured to the stair treads, so they’re easy to remove if you decide to do so in the future.
Widen hallways, doorways, and stairways
Older homes can have very narrow hallways, doorways, and stairways, but even modern homes can be tight if you use an assistive device like a walker, wheelchair, or a stair lift.
Widening hallways, doorways, and stairways can give you more room to move around freely, but it can require a serious remodel. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Install doorways that are 36 inches wide, or consider installing double doors if you have the room.
- Install a new 42-inch-wide staircase, as it allows two people to use the stairs side by side and better accommodates a stair lift.
- Extend the width of your hallway to at least 48 inches, which is big enough for a console table to keep important items, like keys, even when using a walker or a wheelchair.
Create a senior-friendly living area that’s comfortable and safe
You don’t have to move to live safely and comfortably as you age. You can age in place in the comfort of your own home, regardless of your mobility. With these home renovation tips for seniors, you can modify your shared living spaces while sticking to your budget.
