Aging in place

If you walk around your home, you will notice that there are areas that are hard to navigate. Throw rugs are aptly named.

Most people are happiest in their current home – surrounded by memories and lots of memorabilia. Decluttering is the first step, but what is the criteria? I gifted a display case for a friend’s knife collection. His remark: “Now all the knives are in one place for a thief!” That’s not a good solution to clutter, but at some point “all that you possess belongs to someone else.”

Now, about that throw rug. It’s hard to imagine the loss of mobility, but returning home after surgery with crutches, walker or a wheelchair is challenging in most houses. Do you have easy access into your house or are there steps? Is the bathroom door wide enough for a wheelchair? One of the most popular home improvements is installing a curbless shower. A home without a bathtub was once a deal-breaker for real estate brokers; not so much today. After grab bars are installed, it’s good to evaluate soap dishes, toilet paper holders and towel racks as they can become a challenge as well.

In the kitchen, appliances with front controls that are easy to maintain are a must. An example is the one-piece stove top. That eye-level microwave or range is handy now, but may become inaccessible or cause a hot-food spill. No one wants the “institutional” look in their home, but reality bites and some modifications are a must.