When it comes to aging in place, interior spaces get most of the attention, but you should consider more than just bathroom renovations and kitchen updates. The exterior of your home can be dangerous, too, with walkways, entryways, and landscaping that can increase the likelihood of experiencing a fall. Here are some senior-friendly exterior home maintenance ideas for all budgets that will help you safely remain in your home as you age, starting with the lowest-cost options.
Free or low-cost yard and exterior home maintenance
Deciding to age in place doesn’t always mean you’ll have to spend a lot of money on expensive installations and modifications. You can make your yard safer right now for next to nothing.
Clear overgrowth and clutter near walkways and entrances
Clutter, like empty pots and gardening tools, should be cleared away from walkways and entrances. They should be organized and kept in a garage, shed, or designated spot in the yard.
It is also important to clear walkways and entrances of overgrowth. Some tips for taming weeds where you walk include the following:
- Cut back vegetation with pruning shears or clippers.
- Pull weeds and use a vinegar solution to prevent them from regrowing.
- Use an edger to keep the borders of walkways clear.
- Apply mulch or gravel on either side of walkways to suppress weed growth.
- Regularly sweep or pressure wash walkways and steps to remove dirt, moss, and debris.
Be strategic about outdoor seating
It’s nice to have a relaxing spot in the yard where you can enjoy being outside, but you should also consider where additional seating would be helpful, depending on where you might need to sit down for a moment to regain your energy.
Here are a few places you might want to place outdoor seating or a weatherproof chair:
- Next to the front door where it can double as a place to put a package or a shopping bag while you open the door.
- Inside or next to the garage as a place to sit and rest while you’re working on outdoor projects.
- Alongside a walkway, especially if it’s long, as a place to regain some energy before continuing on.
- Near a mailbox or side gate in case you get tired taking out the garbage or retrieving the mail.
A collapsible chair can also be handy. You can move it around with you as you work in the yard, so you always have a place to sit and take a break. If you decide to use furniture in your yard, be sure that it doesn’t obstruct any walkways, which could become a greater fall hazard.
Keep tools organized
Having the right tools is essential for home maintenance, but poorly organized tools can easily topple and cause injury, not to mention the bending, stretching, and reaching required to retrieve tools that aren’t well organized.
You can keep your tools organized by:
- Designating a single area of the garage or a shed for tools.
- Installing a pegboard on the wall where you can hang smaller tools like hand shovels and clippers.
- Installing a tool rack where you can hang larger items like shovels and rakes.
- Organizing gardening items like empty pots and lawn chemicals on easy-to-reach shelves.
- Using a garden tool organizer on wheels to move all the tools you’re currently using wherever you go in the yard.
Budget-friendly yard and exterior home maintenance for seniors
If you have a little extra money in your budget but aren’t looking for a full renovation, which can be time-consuming and costly, consider these budget-friendly home maintenance and yard updates.
Use nonslip surfaces for walkways
Gravel and stone are beautiful walkway materials, but they can also be dangerous. Gravel can make it difficult to stay steady on your feet, while stone can become slippery when wet. Installing concrete is one option, but there are other ways you can secure stone and rock walkways:
- Use gravel glue to keep gravel in place, making it safer to walk on.
- Apply a no-slip sealer to stone walkways to texturize outdoor surfaces so they are nonslip, even when wet.
- Use drainage mats in high-traffic or wet areas, like next to the pool.
Make sure entrances and walkways are well lit
Adequate lighting is important outside the home. You need to be able to see where you’re going when walking around your property at night or entering and exiting the home.
A few lighting tips include:
- Lining walkways with weatherproof, solar-powered lights.
- Installing motion-sensor lighting in high-traffic areas like inside and outside the garage.
- Installing sconces on either side of entrances.
- Adding solar wall lights near entrances, seating areas, and exterior steps.
Update your door with a keyless entry
Using a traditional key to unlock the door can be challenging for those with low dexterity and grip strength. It can also be troublesome if your hands are full or you use an assistive device, like a walker or a cane.
A keyless entry can make it a lot easier to lock and unlock the door without compromising safety. There are a few keyless entry ideas to choose from:
- Keypad entries allow you to enter a custom numerical code to unlock the door.
- Smart locks allow you to unlock the door using an app on your phone.
- Biometric locks allow you to use your fingerprint to unlock the door.
- Automatic door locks use Bluetooth to automatically unlock the door when you approach and lock the door when it’s closed.
You can also share codes or unlocking capabilities with loved ones so they are able to enter your home in the event of an emergency.
Exterior home renovation ideas
Here are a few great ideas if you’re looking for more impactful exterior home safety tips and have the money and time to make more extensive changes to your property.
Install doorbell and security cameras
Installing doorbell and security cameras can be helpful for seniors aging in place. They can bring peace of mind and increase safety. Using a smartphone app, you can see who is at the door, and your loved ones or care team can use interior and exterior cameras to check on you.
A few things to look for in a security system include:
- Cameras that can be placed in strategic locations in and around the home.
- Motion sensors that go off when there is movement in designated areas.
- Window and door alarms that send alerts when they’re opened.
- Doorbell cameras that allow you to see who is at the door before opening it.
Install an outdoor ramp
Installing an outdoor ramp can significantly increase safety and ease if you use a wheelchair or a walker, but it’s a good idea even if you don’t. Walking up and down stairs can become treacherous with age-related mobility and balance challenges. A ramp can help keep you steady on your feet.
When installing a ramp, there are a few things you’ll want to consider:
- Think about whether you want to cover the existing steps with a temporary ramp or install a more permanent one.
- Consider the material you want. For example, a wood ramp might look nice, but it might require more maintenance than an aluminum ramp.
- Calculate the size of the ramp you need. ADA standards dictate that it should be 12 inches long for every inch in the stairs’ height.
Design a low-maintenance outdoor space
Yardwork can become a burden as people age and may no longer be able to maintain gardens and other outdoor spaces. However, you can prevent your yard from overgrowing without all the upkeep by designing a low-maintenance outdoor space.
- Hardscaping can create low-maintenance spaces in your yard and decrease the size of the area you need to mow.
- Rockscaping around your home can give your property curb appeal while suppressing weed growth.
- Raised garden beds allow you to continue gardening without having to bend over.
- Plants that are native to the area where you live thrive with minimal maintenance.
- A grass alternative, like clover, doesn’t require regular watering or mowing.
Modify your yard and home exterior so it’s senior-friendly as you age in place
Don’t let your yard become overwhelming or unsafe as you age in place. Modifying the exterior of your home to make it more senior-friendly can make home maintenance much easier, and you can live safely and comfortably in your home throughout your golden years.
