For many people when they start to grow old, they want to still live in their homes, where they feel comfortable and are familiar with their surroundings. We have created a simple list of the most popular home modifications for the elderly. Home modifications can be a simple refurbishment or renovation depending on what needs to change in your home to help you live more independently.
Accessibility
Ramps
To make your home more accessible, installing a ramp to get in and out of your home will provide more freedom. You can enter and leave your home comfortably and it also provides access for those using a wheelchair. It can be a simple cost effective and practical solution to enhance your mobility around you home. Ramps can generally be installed quickly and there are portable options which are light weight and can be moved around as required.
Widen Doors
Homes are generally built with a standard size doorway. To move around more freely in a wheelchair within your home, doors should be widened if possible, to increase mobility and to make a more accessible home for a wheelchair. Adding night lights in hallways, and additional handrails will also help with ease of movement.
Stair Lifts
Having stairs in your home can make moving around harder when you become older or have a disability. Installing a stair lift will help to relieve the stress and discomfort of having to climb the stairs. Stair lifts are generally called chair lifts and can be installed quite easily to your home without making any structural building changes.
Medical Alert Systems
Installing a medical alarm system in your home, can really help with the peace of mind and knowledge that if an emergency were to arise, the relevant services would be contacted, and help would be on there way. There are different models of systems so speaking with an expert can help you choose the right device for you and your home.
Smart Devices
Technology is always advancing and can be of great assistance. Smart devices are easy to use and can voice control lots of different features in your home, such as lights, calling friends and family, or listening to music.
Kitchen Modifications
When choosing to stay at home you should think about how your home operates and the things which you may find harder in the future if not immediately. The kitchen can be a dangerous place, so it is important to make some simple modifications to help you live as independently as possible.
Flooring
To help avoid any slips in the kitchen upgrading your floor to non-slip covering can really help prevent a nasty injury from falling.
Lighting
Make sure the lighting is correct as the elderly can have poor eyesight, making sure the switches are at an easy level, and at the entrance to avoid any tripping over objects trying to find the light switch.
Keeping the kitchen in order, and making sure the cabinets are organised so all everyday items are accessible with good lighting, lowering benches, soft closers on cabinets and doors, can really help with making these everyday tasks such as cooking simpler and less stressful.
Bathroom Modifications
Each individual home may require different modifications to help those living their use them with ease. The most common modifications in bathrooms include;
Grab Bars
Installing grab bars into your home can provide additional support when getting up out of the bath, shower or toilet. They can be installed almost everywhere; they should be installed properly to the wall and not via suction caps to make sure they are as sturdy as possible to help prevent slips and cause more injuries.
Handheld Shower
Upgrade your shower head to a handheld one can be a quick and easy solution to showering comfortably without the need for assistance, the use of a shower chair will be of great help too.
Making sure that all products are in case reach, such as soap dispensers, shampoo, with stop you from having to over stretch to reach essential items. Further upgrades will be required if you have mobility issues and require a wheelchair.
Support with funding for your home modifications
My Aged Care
There are several different kinds of home modifications that can help both the elderly and those living with a disability. For those people who are aged over 65, you can apply for a home modification subsidy through https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/
NDIS
For those who are under 65, the NDIS offers funding for design and construction to homes as part of a package, which is tailored to suit each individuals needs and requirements. For more information visit https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/housing-and-living-supports-and-services/providing-home-modifications
Commonwealth Home Support Program
This program is designed to help seniors with entry level assistance to help them live safety and independently at home. They provide services from domestic assistance to home modifications. To find out if you are eligible apply here, https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/assessment/apply-online
Home Care Packages
There are a variety of home care packages available depending on your requirements and the level of care needed. HCP can provide affordable care services to help with getting the extra assistance you may require and can be additional to the assistance provided in the Commonwealth Home Support program. Visit here for more information https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/help-at-home/home-care-packages
ConnectAbility can help to provide support in your homes to help with keeping your life as unchanged as possible please contact us on 02 4962 1000 for more information.
