Home safety and accessibility features can significantly enhance the lives of individuals as they age in the home of their choice. This is also true for those who aim to have a home that others can visit safely and effectively, also known as visitibility. Here are ten ways these modifications make a positive impact:

1. Independence: Home modifications enable seniors to maintain their independence by reducing the need for assistance with daily tasks. Features like grab bars and handrails provide support, allowing them to navigate their homes confidently.

2. Safety: Safety enhancements, such as non-slip flooring and well-lit pathways, reduce the risk of accidents and falls, promoting a safer living environment.

3. Comfort: Adapting the home to accommodate changing physical needs ensures that individuals can continue to live comfortably and without unnecessary physical strain.

4. Aging in Place: Home modifications make it possible for individuals to “age in place,” meaning they can stay in their homes rather than relocating to assisted living facilities or Nursing homes.

5. Improved Mobility: Features like wheelchair ramps, wider doorways, and stairlifts improve mobility for individuals with limited physical abilities, allowing them to access all areas of their homes.

6. Reduced Caregiver Burden: Home modifications can reduce the Caregiving burden on family members or professionals, as the home environment becomes more accommodating, requiring fewer hands-on interventions.

7. Emotional Well-being: Knowing that their homes are safe and accessible can contribute to greater peace of mind and reduced Anxiety among seniors and their families.

8. Social Engagement: When homes are made more accessible, individuals are more likely to welcome visitors, participate in social activities, and maintain a sense of community, combatting isolation.

9. Cost Savings: Adapting the home is often more cost-effective than moving to a care facility, resulting in significant long-term cost savings.

10. Dignity and Autonomy: Home modifications help preserve an individual’s dignity and autonomy by allowing them to continue performing daily tasks without reliance on others.

In summary, home safety and accessibility features not only facilitates aging in place but also enhances overall quality of life, ensuring that individuals can continue to enjoy their homes and maintain their independence as they age.

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Originally Published on https://www.safeaccessiblehome.com/blogs/

Ryan Salmon Home Safety / Accessibility Specialist

For the past decade, I have been an occupational therapist primarily serving older adults in the home and community. My background in construction has played a huge role in how I support people in tailoring their environment to meet their needs as it relates to maintaining their safety and accessibility for daily activities. I now have my contractors license again and am providing home assessments as well as doing the actual modifications to assist those who wish to continue living in their home for as long as possible. During the pandemic, I was able to support my baby boomer parents with home modification decisions that allowed my father to live out his remaining days in the home as he always desired. This experience, along with personally living in a remote area, lead to my transition to providing virtual home safety and accessibility consultations. My goal is to support people through the entire process from start to finish with assessments over zoom, with photos, videos, gathering data with lidar technology if possible, developing a plan, locating the best contractors for the job, being the liaison between the clients and the contractors and follow up assessments. I am available for medically necessary cases in Alaska, and preparatory cases anywhere else on the planet so if you are planning for the future, feel free to reach out.