Aging in Place, How Can Seniors Upgrade Their Homes?

There are many opportunities for older adults to thrive as they age. While
assisted living communities offer convenience with various amenities, there are
still many seniors who choose to age in place in order to continue living
independently. Choosing a home for aging in place already involves the
consideration of various factors such as a friendly neighborhood, responsibilities
for upkeep, and homeownership costs. The process, however, continues after
finding a home and community as the residential space has to be upgraded for
maximum mobility, usability, and accessibility. Here are some of the best ways to
upgrade and modify the lifelong homes of seniors aging in place.

Apply for federal funding

Upgrades that make homes easier and safer to live in require a significant
financial investment. As such, there is a federal funding program dedicated to
seniors aging in place. With the help of organizations experienced in helping and
advocating for seniors, you can access the essential support and services in your
living environment, from health and safety to social connection and engagement.
Eligibility for the funding is offered to organizations that provide direct service
delivery to beneficiaries and plan to expand previously demonstrated services.
The services must address common barriers to aging at home, which include but
are not limited to financial costs, inaccessible rural areas, and inadequate
culturally-appropriate services.

Invest in smart home devices

Technology also plays a crucial role in improving the quality of life. Even if you
don’t consider yourself tech-savvy, there are user-friendly and intuitive smart
home devices that require no permanent change to the home space but still
make your day-to-day life easier.

Voice-controlled technology like Amazon Echo and Google Home can assist with
making calls, setting reminders, and scheduling appointments. When it comes to
home maintenance, a guide to buying robot vacuums emphasizes how this semi-
autonomous device makes cleaning more streamlined and efficient, while also
having specific features for navigation, sterilization, and self-charging. Lastly,
automatic lighting is a small investment that has huge returns for your safety and
convenience since you don’t have to worry about fumbling for the light switch in
the dark.

Set up medical alert systems

Assistive technology can also come in the form of medical alert systems/devices
that offer emergency help with just one click. There are now easy-to-use
smartphone apps where you can pre-set personal contacts and health services in
the case of medical emergencies.

Wearable tech like watches and necklaces are mainly used for tracking your

health-related metrics ranging from heart rate and blood pressure to physical
activity and water intake. But they can also be used as an alarm system and a
two-way communication device between the wearer and the emergency contact.
There are in-home systems that can be connected to WiFi or cellular services for
an expansive signal range wherever you are on your property. While medical
alert systems are relatively inexpensive, they can be a life-saving tool for seniors
who live independently but need immediate assistance.

Safety-proof the home

There are mobility and safety challenges that come with aging, but these can be
addressed through appropriate home modifications. Since slips and falls can lead
to hip fractures, brain injury, and even death, grab bars reduce the physical
hazards in dangerous and slippery spaces like the bathroom. There are also
transfer benches that enable elders to enter and exit the bathtub even

while unassisted safely. Meanwhile, flooring modifications should prevent tripping and
falling, especially when seniors use mobility technologies like wheelchairs,
walkers, canes, or crutches. Safety-proofing should also consider outdoor
spaces; there must be ramps with handrails leading a clear path to the front door.

With the help of Balance Real Estate Group, the process of finding homes for
aging in place and then investing in its upgrades and modification becomes more
seamless and much easier. We utilize a team-based approach to make these
efforts collaborative and perfectly suited to every client's unique needs,
preferences, and lifestyle.

Article written by Rosalie Jaen