As an older adult continues living at home, changes in mobility, balance, or everyday functioning can make familiar parts of the household more difficult to navigate. A home assessment can help identify environmental features that may contribute to falls or other injuries, particularly in areas such as bathrooms, stairs, entrances, and commonly used walkways. For seniors in Hardy, Virginia, aging-in-place support may include identifying practical changes that can make the home easier to navigate, ranging from simple adjustments to more involved accessibility modifications.
How It Works
Home safety considerations may include:
- Increasing lighting in commonly used areas
- Installing accessible switches at both ends of stairways
- Adding additional railings
- Installing grab bars
- Using nonskid flooring
- Adding a flexible, hand-held shower head
- Considering walk-in bathtubs
- Removing loose throw rugs and household clutter
- Evaluating pathways for potential obstacles
- Considering accessibility modifications such as ramps, accessible showers, sliding shelves, or stairlifts when appropriate
What to Expect
The process begins by looking at how the person uses the home and identifying household features that may create difficulties or increase the potential for falls or other injuries. Simple changes may be considered first, while more involved modifications such as ramps, walk-in showers, sliding shelves, or stairlifts may require additional planning and installation by qualified professionals. TLC Home Assist, LLC’s reference information notes that it partners with Certified Aging in Place professionals for modifications that require more extensive retrofitting, so the scope of work can depend on the home and the client’s particular needs.
Find Support For Your Daily Routine
Contact Us when daily routines are becoming harder to manage alone or when a family member needs additional assistance. We can talk through your situation and help you understand the types of home care support that may fit.