Home Modifications Help Older Adults Age-in-Place and Improve Safety

Where do you think you'll live in the decades ahead? Will changes in your health and body affect how comfortable you will be in your current home? Today, almost 90 percent of adults over age 50 want to age-in-place. Modifying your home for accessibility could help maintain your independence and make your dream a reality.

Maybe your older parents are still living at home. Is their home safe? Can they remain in that home - as is - without risk of falls?

Aging-in-place offers a lot of benefits. Often, you end up with a higher quality of life, ensuring you can remain in your preferred neighborhood and stay in the home you love. Plus, it can reduce your risk of illness compared to a senior living facility.

Being at Home is Preferable 

According to CDC data, more than 200,000 people in long-term care facilities have died since the virus crisis has started. These numbers include both residents and staff.

Being at home has many benefits, so how can you ensure you stay in your home, assuming it is your desire?

Making some simple and common-sense updates to your home will provide you with a home that can meet your changing needs, ensuring you can live there comfortably in the long term. 

Paying for Accessibility Modifications

In some cases, money is the only thing that holds older people back from modifying their homes. One way to pay for home modifications is cash-out refinancing which allows you to get the money you need to make it happen.

With cash-out refinancing, you'll replace your mortgage with a newer one that's for a larger dollar amount. Then, it pays off your existing mortgage, ensuring you only have one. After that, you receive the difference between the two loans as cash, giving you money for improvements. Take a moment to learn more about Bank of America mortgage rates refinance to find the best option for you.

Reverse Mortgages

Reverse mortgages have changed in recent years, and if you are over age 62, you can use this type of mortgage. With this type of mortgage, you don't make payments. Plus, the equity in your own can be used for home modifications, paying Long-Term Care Insurance, enhancing your retirement lifestyle, and even funding in-home care if you cannot qualify for insurance. 

Learn more - Reverse Mortgages | LTC News.

Accessibility Updates to Make Aging-in-Place Easier

Doorway Widening

Your typical residential doorways aren't designed with wheelchairs or walkers in mind. As a result, they might be too narrow to fit through easily if you're using a mobility aid or wheelchair. By widening your doorways to 32 inches – the minimum size required by the ADA – you'll have enough clearance to move through doorways comfortably.

Bathroom Remodeling

Bathrooms can be hazardous for anyone getting older who has mobility issues or balance challenges. Since surfaces can be slick, the chance of slips and falls is significant.

Eighty percent of bathroom injuries are fall-related. Plus, bathroom falls are more than twice as likely to cause injuries than living room falls.

Ultimately, it's smart to pay special attention to bathroom updates. You may want to install grab bars in your shower or bath area, as well as near the toilet. Replacing an existing bathtub with a walk-in tub could be a wise move. If you'd rather just have a shower, you could go with a zero-entry shower, either with or without a seat.

Kitchen Updates

Most kitchens aren't designed with wheelchairs and other mobility devices in mind. Additionally, some kitchen areas might be harder to use if you have back or knee issues.

If you want to update your kitchen for accessibility, consider removing the cabinet under the sink. That way, a wheelchair or walker can fit underneath, making it easier to use.

Installing wall ovens could be a wise move as it prevents anyone from having to bend down to get items out of the oven. You may also want to install pull-down or pull-up inserts in cabinets, allowing you to bring items to a more workable height.

Stair Modifications

Navigating stairs can get more challenging as you age. If you want to make sure you can easily get into and move around in your home, ramps and chairlifts could be the answer. Ramps are ideal for handling exterior staircases, giving you a simple way to ascend. Chairlifts work for stairs inside your house, allowing you to ride to the top or bottom instead of walking.

If you want to continue climbing your stairs, you may want to update your railing. Choose something sturdy that can provide substantial support. That way, if you have to lean on it heavily on occasion, it's up to the job.

Finding a Great Contractor

When it's time to make the modifications, you'll need to hire a contractor. Begin by searching for contractors in your town, focusing on those with prior experience with accessibility modifications. Next, read reviews to learn more about their service and work quality.

Once you find some options, gather several quotes. That way, you can compare costs and estimated timelines. Additionally, make sure that each one is licensed, bonded, and insured, avoiding any contractor that doesn't meet those criteria.

Finally, make sure the payment schedule makes sense. A reputable contractor won't ask for all of the money upfront, so keep that in mind when hiring. 

LTC Insurance Can Often Provide Funds

If you own Long-Term Care Insurance and are claiming benefits, many policies provide money to pay for some of these home modifications. Another essential item that helps someone stay in their home safely includes things like medical alert systems that give you the additional peace of mind that a person can seek help immediately. Again, an LTC Insurance policy will often pay for this service.

Be sure to check the policy or contact the agent.

However, Long-Term Care Insurance is often purchased from an insurance agent or financial advisor who has had little experience and has never processed a claim. If you need help processing a Long-Term Care Insurance claim, no matter the insurance company, LTC NEWS can offer free no-obligation assistance with our partner Amada Senior Care. Get information from LTC NEWS - Filing a Long-Term Care Insurance Claim | LTC News.

Ideally, when you obtain Long-Term Care Insurance, seek help from a qualified specialist who works with the top companies. Be sure they also understand the claims process.   

Most people obtain coverage in their 50s to take advantage of lower premiums and better health, giving them the most coverage choices. Long-Term Care Insurance provides guaranteed tax-free benefits that pay for all types of services, including in-home care, adult day care, assisted living, memory care, hospice, and nursing homes.