Aging brings with it a whole host of challenges and decisions. One major decision is where you want to live, and that can include staying in your current home. Aging in place is a term you may not have heard of, but it is something many aging adults chose to do. Some have the goal of aging in place for the remainder of their lives, or until they reach a certain health milestone. Making specific modifications to one's home can enable those who want to stay in their homes do so safely, or for longer. Fortunately, there are a whole most of modifications one can do to their home to help you or a loved one maintain their independence. The aging process can be difficult for many, and discussing moving or making modifications to one's home can be emotional. Making a plan, taking action sooner than later, and communicating your wishes to family members are just a few of the things that can help make aging in place an easier process.
Products for Aging in Place
Grab Bars: Grab bars have come a long way! They don't have to be the obvious, clunky things they once were. There are now stylish options available that provide safety and functionality while also flowing with your bathroom design. Grab bars are recommended in bathtubs and showers at a minimum. One such company for these more stylish grab bars is Invisia™.
Hardware to Transform Standard Doors into Sliding Doors: Sliding barn doors have gained popularity in recent years, but sliding doors can provide a lot of functionality and safety, especially for those who use mobility aids. Using the special hardware set and a standard-sized door, you can make it easier to open and close the door. Jeld-Wen is one company that offers this hardware, and their doors also offer soft-close hinges for additional safety.
Upgrade Your Bed: Companies including Sleep Number and Ergomotion offer smart beds with features that can include adjustable bed height, temperature control to promote better sleep and circulation, sleep tracker, adjustable bed base, massage feature, under-bed lighting, and more.
A Stair Lift: Regardless of your staircase and budget, chances are that Bruno makes a stair lift that can meet your needs. That includes straight, curved, or outdoor stairs. Using a stair lift can provide a huge amount of peace of mind and safety for aging adults whose homes have stairs, regardless of if they use a mobility device or not.
Adjustable Closet Rods: Closets can be difficult to access and navigate, regardless of your age and health status. Rev-A-Shelf offers a closet rod system that comes in different widths and an adjustable rod to accommodate different closet types.
Touch-to-Open Cabinet Systems: If you find opening cabinets or drawers difficult or painful, Grass offers touch-to-open systems that enable you to open a drawer or cabinet by simply touching the surface of the drawer or cabinet panel.
Walk-in Bathtub: A variety of companies offer walk-in bathtubs with safety features including a built-in safe-reach grab bar, a low-entry threshold, slip-resistant and textured flooring, and ADA-compliant seating. Many also have additional options including whirlpool, quick drain features, and more.
Voice-Controlled Blinds and Shades: Window shades and blinds can be purchased with many features including using a remote control, voice control, and by using an app (depending on the blind manufacturer).
Source:
https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/universal-design-products-37133325