While senior communities and assisted living facilities are perfect choices for some seniors, others prefer to remain in their own homes. It is for that reason, many boomers and beyond are beginning to incorporate various modifications into their homes.

Even as a young girl who had just awakened from a crazy dream, Dorothy of “The Wizard of Oz” knew – “There’s no place like home.”

Our homes are where we find warmth, security and the comfort of familiar surroundings; and while today’s seniors are fortunate to have so many housing options available to them, including magnificent senior communities and beautiful assisted living facilities, for some, nothing will ever equal living in the home they have lived in for many years.

While senior communities and assisted living facilities are perfect choices for some seniors, others prefer to remain in their own homes when facing the challenges of aging and illness. The problem with the latter being a viable option is that in many cases people are not able to do stay in their homes because they are physically unsupportive environments that lack the necessary design features to ensure safety and accessibility.

It is for that reason, many California boomers and beyond are beginning to plan and incorporate various home modifications into their homes. They are attuned to what adjustments will be needed in order for them to be able to function independently and safely for as long as possible.

California has the nation’s largest older adult population with over four-million people over the age of 65. This number is projected to double over the next several decades. With the first of the baby boomers reaching retirement age this year, it is estimated that one in five Californians will be age 65 or older by 2030. In order to prepare for this, the California Department of Aging supports opportunities for Californians to be able to live safely in their homes as they age with many programs and resources being offered that will help keep aging Californians as independent as possible.

Listed below are just a few of the programs and resources available:

CalHome Program This program awards state funds to local public and non-profit agencies to assist individual households with the construction, purchase and rehabilitation of single-family owner-occupied homes and manufactured homes. For more information call (916) 327-3646.

Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) Local AAAs may provide funding for modifying and repairing homes. To locate contact information for the AAA in your area call (800) 677-1116 or go to www.eldercare.gov National

Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modification Located at the University of Southern California, NRCSHHM’s Web site, http://homemods.org, is an excellent resource for consumers. It has links with many national associations and organizations that provide information on home modifications so that people can remain in their homes and age in place.

The California Department of Aging Anything you can do to make your home safer and more accessible now will help you remain independent and stay in your home for as long as possible. To help you do this the CDA can provide you with a “Home Safety Checklist” that is available on their Web site at: www.aging.ca.gov.

YOUR HOME MODIFICATION PLAN

When you start to think about putting together a home modification plan, remember there are three main areas of improvement you should consider to make your home a safer environment: Safety, Lighting, and Accessibility. While the following are just a few ideas and modifications that can help you remain independent and in your home for a longer time, there are many others that will be specific to your home and needs. Once you have begun your plan you should contact a home modification specialist who can give you many more aesthetic and functional ideas to accommodate your personal needs.

SAFTEY

By far, the biggest concern for seniors is falling. Nine out of ten broken hips are the result of falls which is why implementing safety and prevention measures is a must. The following modifications will help to prevent falls:

• Replace all bathroom tubs with shower stalls complete with molded or pull-down seats and non-skid strips or slip-resistant tiles for the floor.
• Install grab bars in the shower stalls or even a floor-to-ceiling safety pole in the shower stall for additional safety and ease of use.
• Install a hand-held showerhead and anti-scald devices on all faucets.
• Install grab bars around all toilet areas and a raised toilet seats making it easier for an aging adult to get on and off the toilet. Install handrails on both sides of the stairs for better support.
• Installing floor-to-ceiling support poles near beds and favorite chairs to help ease transfer on and off.
• Replace carpeting and tile flooring with non-skid type flooring. Flooring should be tight and firm to walk on, helping to prevent falls and provide an easy walking environment.
• Install non-skid rubber strips on the edge of stairs to help prevent falls.
• If possible, eliminate all stairs from your home’s design.
• Review accessibility of electrical outlets to reduce the need for dangerous extension cords.

LIGHTING

As we age, our eyes need two to three times more light than we needed when we were younger to properly see. A well-lit home, is a safe home and here are some simple ideas to make your home safer:

• Review your home’s lighting to make sure you have sufficient, even lighting throughout.
• Review and assess the placement of all of your light switches. Make sure they are located close to room entrances and at the top and bottom of stairways. * Install lighted switch plates so you’ll always be able to easily locate the switch at night.
• Install lights inside all closets, cabinets and under-cabinets in the kitchen.
• Install motion-sensor exterior lighting.
• Make sure you use high-watt light bulbs in stairways and other hazardous areas.
• Consider installing design features that increase the amount of natural light in your home. Research has proven that daily exposure to natural light can support and nurture a person’s health and well-being. This can be accomplished by adding a skylight, more windows, or maybe converting one of your first floor rooms into a sun room.

ACCESSIBILITY

In order to make your home as convenient as possible, the following design considerations will help improve accessibility:

• Locate countertops, cabinets and shelving to lower heights for easier access. As we grow older, these lower levels will make things easier to reach as our mobility, balance, reach and range of motion declines.
• Convert kitchen cabinets into drawers to hold pots and pans for easier access.
• Replace all cabinets, closet doors and drawers with lever handles. As we age, it is much easier to operate a lever than a knob.
• Install lever-handle faucets in kitchen and bathrooms.
• Locate windows at lower levels so you can see the ground from a couch, chair or bed.
• Consider increasing door opening sizes from the basic 29 to 30 inches to as much as 36 to 42 inches to allow a wheelchair to freely navigate your home. The installation of pocket doors to replace regular doors may also give you more width and think of install a permanent or portable wheelchair ramp if you have outside stairs.
• If your home does have a second floor, consider installing a stair chair lift.

Mike Campbell is the author of the book “When Mom and Dad Need Help.” An advisor and consultant to the senior housing and care industry, he is the founder of Campbell Consulting Services, LLC where he serves clients in the senior housing and care industry. For more information on Campbell, log on to: www.iffenwen.com.