Adapt your home: enjoy safety as you age

The majority (73 per cent)* of Canadians 60 years and older want to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible. As our health conditions change over the years, now is as good a time as any to adapt our homes to suit future needs. Here’s how.  

Circulation spaces

Replace the original door hinges with expandable ones to accommodate passage of a wheelchair or walker. President of Ordre des Ergothérapeutes du Québec (OEQ) Alexandre Nadeau suggests installing accordion or bi-folding doors. He also advises you remove all doorsills to prevent falls and replace doorknobs with easier-to-grasp levers. 

Lighting

Poorly lit corners are often the cause of falls, so make sure all rooms are brightly lit. Nadeau recommends using rockers rather than round switches. You’ll also appreciate luminous switches or better still, motion sensor switches that turn the light on when someone enters the room. Tip: Place switches at shoulder height to avoid potential back or upper arm pain. 

Bathroom and kitchen

Install grab bars next to the toilet, as well as in the shower and bathtub. “They’re indispensable in case of mobility issues resulting from arthritis or hip injuries, for example,” Nadeau says. “But make sure the designated walls are sufficiently solid. If not, the walls must be reinforced.” If space permits, opt for a separate shower and bathtub. “A curbless or roll-in shower is recommended because it makes it easy to transfer from wheelchair to shower bench,” notes Nadeau. A low-entry walk-in tub for easy entry and exit could also be beneficial. 

Move the laundry room from the basement to the ground floor. If space is at a premium, place the washer and dryer in a closet (compact models are easily available). For sinks, opt for single-lever faucets. 

Increase storage space by adding sliding shelves and drawers. This allows you to see contents at a glance without bending or stretching. For kitchen cabinets, opt for T-Bar or D-Shape pulls, which are easier to grip than knobs. 

Home automation

Integrate smart home automation into your everyday life including surveillance cameras, smart thermostats, remote-control lighting, smart locks and fall detectors. Nadeau says these intelligent interconnected devices will make your life easier, a allowing you to remain safe and secure in your home for a long time. 

Home exterior

Check the condition of the steps around the house and handrails of your balconies. They must be building-code compliant. It’s also a good idea to install a bench between the porch and the driveway in case you need to sit down or want to deposit items you may be carrying. 

Content courtesy of CAA Quebec Magazine.