12 Upgrades for a Senior-Friendly Minnesota Home

Are you a senior planning to stay in your existing Minnesota home as long as possible? Perhaps you're a family who wants to provide a safe, comfortable environment for their loved one in their home. Given that assisted living residences are expensive and often not available, or don't offer the options and amenities seniors deserve, retrofitting a home for a senior to age-in-place might be the best option--and one that can be a surprisingly affordable alternative to residential living facilities. 

Here are 12 of the most important upgrades a home will require to comfortably and safely accommodate seniors throughout Plymouth and Maple Grove and enhance their independence. 

Install Handrails

Handrail installation is perhaps the first and easiest modification to homes for seniors, and should be placed in stairways and wherever trips and falls may occur. They're also helpful next to toilets and in showers, and can be installed on bed frames. 

Did you know that TruBlue of Plymoth & Maple Grove can assist in ensuring the proper installation of handrails by providing expert handyman services, guaranteeing that seniors' homes are equipped with sturdy and reliable support wherever needed.

Add a Ground-Floor Bedroom and Full Bath

Perhaps the biggest investment in a senior-friendly home is the addition of a downstairs master suite that will offer accessibility and convenience to those who can't safely navigate stairs. While Bankrate estimates the average home addition to cost as much (or as little) as $46,000[1], the price varies according to geography, materials, and the size and design of the expansion. 

Relocation to a ranch-style home that allows families to enjoy multiple spacious bedrooms in a single-floor layout is often a cost-effective alternative to a lengthy and expensive remodel. Another potentially affordable option is giving the seniors the existing master bedroom and expanding on existing rooms for other members of the household. 

Redesign Stairs for Safety

Once sturdy handholds are in place, look into retrofitting or rebuilding stairs and steps so they're deeper, less steep, and with shorter elevation gain. Consider replacing outdoor steps with gently-sloped ramps, particularly in doorways where spaces tend to be tight. 

Stair lifts--chairs that operate on a rail system and transport mobility-restricted people up and down staircases--can be an affordable alternative to creating a downstairs bedroom and full bath.  

Arrange Furniture With Access in Mind

Make sure any low-profile furniture such as coffee tables and ottomans are easily visible and as far out of the path of travel as possible, and space furniture so that seniors can not only get around more easily but can get in and out of items like chairs without difficulty. Some furniture may be too low or unsupportive for seniors to comfortably use, and beds may be too tall, so if you plan to purchase a new chair or sofa, let them try them out at the store.

Do you have more furniture than you really need? Remove underused pieces to give your senior a less cluttered space to navigate. 

Remove Slip and Trip Hazards

According to the Centers for Disease Control[2], more than 36,000 deaths among seniors are attributed to falls, and one in four seniors in the U.S. will fall in any given year. While the major cause of slips and falls relates to an individual's physical limitations, such as muscle strength, vision challenges, loss of coordination, and changes in spatial perception, obstacles and uneven or slick surfaces increase the likelihood of injury. Reducing the chance of slips and falls is a major priority for homes housing senior adults. 

In addition to altering your furniture layout, consider floor-level hazards that can cause dangerous falls. Be sure any rugs or runners are securely fastened to the floor, or avoid them altogether. Replace stone and tile flooring with more shock-absorbing surfaces such as low-pile carpet, cork, or vinyl, and install door thresholds that reduce the risk of trips and make transitions through doorways more visible. 

Once again, it's essential to keep floors clear of clutter. 

Install Easy-to-Use House Controls

Many thermostats and alarm systems are designed to be controlled by mobile devices. Be sure to install equipment that can be manually adjusted if your senior loved one isn't completely confident operating a mobile phone. Central controls shouldn't be difficult to use, and ideally, they'll have large, illuminated keypads. 

Enhance Illumination

Lack of visibility is a major cause of trips and falls, and well-lit work areas, stairs, and pathways both indoors and out help seniors safely navigate a home. Safety lighting is affordable to purchase and install and comes in many different forms. Look into adding overhead and accent light features to individual steps, along hallways, in bathrooms, and in other areas where falls are otherwise likely, and where their presence can make seniors more confident about making their way around the house. Take care that the lighting in your home doesn't cast shadows that can confuse its inhabitants. 

Illuminated light switches are also immensely useful to seniors, especially those with vision problems or who are easily disoriented in poor lighting. 

Change Door Handles

Lever-style door handles are easier to use by people with dexterity and hand strength limitations than round knobs. Install models with push-in locks, but be sure there's an emergency workaround to unlock them from the outside.  

Bring Back the Landline

Many seniors, even those who are tech-savvy, have trouble with cell phones, and in an emergency, they may not be able to quickly navigate to their calling apps or enter the necessary numbers. Multiple landline sets with oversized keypads will help ensure that seniors and other household members can quickly access a phone in an emergency. 

Rearrange or Replace Storage and Appliances

Many seniors can't access high or knee-level cupboards, so putting often-used items within easy reach can help them execute daily tasks like cooking, cleaning, and personal hobbies. Some appliances, such as refrigerators and freezers, have floor-level drawers that are difficult for seniors to navigate, so side-by-side models may be a better option. 

Front-loading washers and dryers raised on platforms make laundry chores safer and easier for seniors, and dishwashers should be situated where they can be loaded and unloaded with plenty of room for aging persons to maneuver. 

Improve Wheelchair Access

If you're planning on making upgrades suitable for wheelchair use, consider following Americans with Disability Act (ADA) guidelines[3] for safe clearances in hallways, doorways, and activity areas. Many products make it easier for people to get around in a wheelchair, including shower stalls, side-entry bathtubs, lifts, and temporary ramps.

Empower Seniors with Memory Challenges

People living with dementia require home upgrades and appointments that make them safer and more comfortable. Decorate with contrasting colors, and avoid busy patterns. Label cabinets and doors so they can find their way around and access the things they need. 

All of these will make it easier for those with dementia to identify their surroundings and will reduce overall confusion and spatial disorientation. 

Wandering is a risk to those with dementia, and exterior doors may require locks that prevent them from leaving without preventing escape in the case of a fire or other emergency. Consider installing battery-powered keypad locks and changing the combination and batteries on a regular schedule. 

Aging in Place is Possible... And Attainable

Retrofitting a home to make it a safer place for seniors can increase and prolong their independence, and allow them to live longer in the home they love. It also allows families to care for their loved ones at home as long as possible. Get quotes from architects and construction firms that are experienced in retrofitting homes for ADA-compliance and senior-friendly upgrades, and weigh the costs against the benefits of making your home a safe and comfortable haven for aging adults. 

Partner with TruBlue for Aging in Place Home Projects

Creating a senior-friendly home is essential for maintaining comfort, safety, and independence as individuals age. By considering these twelve home aging in place upgrades, seniors can transform their living spaces into havens of security and accessibility. However, undertaking these home modifications may require professional assistance to ensure proper installation and functionality. That's where TruBlue of Plymouth and Maple Grove steps in as the leading handyman service for seniors throughout Minnesota. With our senior home safety modification expertise, dedication to quality, and commitment to helping seniors age in place safely and comfortably, TruBlue is the trusted partner for all home improvement needs. Don't let age hinder your ability to enjoy your home to the fullest—partner with TruBlue today and embark on the journey to a senior-friendly living environment tailored just for you.

Sources

[1] bankrate.com/loans/home-improvement/home-addition-cost/

[2]cdc.gov/injury/features/older-adult-falls/index.html#:~:text=About%2036%20million%20falls%20are,departments%20for%20a%20fall%20injury.

[3]ada-compliance.com/space-allowance-reach-ranges#:~:text=The%20minimum%20clear%20floor%20or,parallel%20approach%20to%20an%20object.