| Concerns and Fixes |
| Security |
Osteoporosis changes the height of some seniors, making it difficult for them to look through a door's peephole. |
The Fix |
Add an additional, lower peephole to your front door at a cost of about $40. |
| Glare |
Glare from windows in a living or family room also can be a problem for seniors, whose eyes are more sensitive. |
The Fix |
Mini, micro or Venetian blinds can be purchased for as low as $35 to $50 and installed for about $35. |
| Inadequate Storage |
Wonder what to do with all of your elderly loved one's possessions when they move in with you? |
The Fix |
Turn your attic into a storeroom for your senior's possessions by installing 3/4 inch plywood sheets to your attic floor beams. Use screws, not nails, so they can be removed to get to wiring and plumbing in the future. Cost for a 150 square foot storage platform: $900. |
| Falls |
Seniors may be vulnerable to falls, particularly on or near stairs. |
The Fix |
Remove area rugs on and near the top and bottom of stairs. Make sure railings are on both sides of the stairs. Cost to add railings on one side: between $200 and $300. |
| Lighting |
Macular Degeneration and other eye issues can make older adults susceptible to vision problems. |
The Fix |
Recessed lighting -- four lights placed about four feet from the corners of the ceiling -- provides excellent bedroom light for older adults. Cost installed: about $150 per light fixture or $600 for a bedroom. Remodeling using contrasting colors (e.g. on stairs) can help with depth perception. |
| Tripping |
Changes in floor height between a hallway and bedroom door entry can be a tripping hazard. |
The Fix |
A wood transition strip can be installed to even out the difference. Cost? About $100. |
| Burns |
Older adults with mobility issues can be vulnerable to cooking accidents. |
The Fix |
Ovens on the market now open from the side, making it easier for someone in a wheelchair or with a walker. Cost: between $800 and $1,000. |
| Scalding |
Hot water from older faucets and valves in the shower and tub could scald a senior with neuropathy. Too cold and it can startle a senior, leading to a fall or other injury. |
The Fix |
A device in newer faucets controls the temperature and equalizes pressure when someone is showering and another family member flushes the toilet. Cost to replace older faucets and valves: about $500. Add another $500 if tile work and repairs are needed. |
| Slick Surfaces |
Bathrooms are the most dangerous rooms in the house because of slick surfaces that can contribute to falls. |
The Fix |
Install grab bars. Very attractive decorative grab bars are available at home improvement stores for about $50-$75 each. Cost to install, including the bar, about $200. |
| Arthritis |
Older adults with arthritis often cannot open round door knobs. |
The Fix |
Put lever handles on interior doors and in and out of the house. If you don't want to replace the entire door knob, lever door knob adapters cost around $20 and can be purchased at online specialty equipment companies.
|
| Entry Hazards |
Seniors coming to the front door with groceries or other packages may be at risk of dropping their merchandise or, even worse, falling. |
The Fix |
Family members or a contractor can construct a shelf on the outside of the house on which to set keys and packages. Shelves and brackets can be purchased at home improvement stores. Cost for materials and installation, $75. |
| Kitchen Faucet |
Navigating a kitchen faucet and separate spray hose can be difficult for some seniors. |
The Fix |
Kitchen faucets may be replaced with an all-in-one faucet and spray hose for easier use. A soap dispenser can then be placed in the hole that once held the spray hose. Cost for the improvement, about $350. |
| Kitchen Tasks |
Kneading bread and other kitchen tasks that might require sitting are more difficult for seniors in wheelchairs. |
The Fix |
A rolling island can be safer and more convenient. Cost: about $500. |
| Carpets |
Thick family room carpet can be a safety hazard for some seniors. |
The Fix |
A low-pile commercial grade carpet is cheaper than conventional carpet, is easier to keep clean and safer for walkers and wheelchairs. Cost: about $20 per square yard; half the cost of regular carpet and pad. |
| Doors |
Hinged closet doors may be more difficult for seniors to navigate around and take up more space. |
The Fix |
Replace hinged closet doors with bi-fold doors that fold back onto the wall for full access, and add a light to the closet; for an estimated cost of $500. |
| 911 Emergency |
Could your senior loved one get help fast in an emergency if he or she were home alone? |
The Fix |
A telephone is available that prompts the numbers plaque on your house to flash when a caller dials 911 so the ambulance can more easily locate the house. Cost: about $450. |
| For more information about these products and solutions, visit Dan Bawden, CAPS at www.legaleaglecontractors.com |