LADOS Group Presentation - Senior Home Modifications
Safe Aging in Place
I had the pleasure to provide a presentation to a group called LADOS or Life After Death Of Spouse on February 11, 2020 at 2pm at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Marion. Prior to owning Right at Home, I worked in home health as a physical therapist and had completed advanced training in home modifications designed to help people age safely in their own homes. My presentation included information on common changes that can be made in each room of a home as well as equipment that can be helpful in maintaining independence while also considering a person’s mental/physical function and budget. For example, installing offset or swing-away hinges on doors can be a great way to increase the width of a doorway when needing to push a walker or wheelchair through it.
One of the audience members shared a personal story whereby her brother lost his home to a fire due to a faulty microwave and, as a result, she learned to unplug this popular kitchen appliance when not in use. Another member asked about using removable grab bars in her bathroom. Some less expensive grab bars are made of plastic and have suction cups on the ends to attach to the wall. This style of grab bar is not recommended because there is a risk of it detaching from the wall so it was discussed that heavy-duty plastic or stainless steel grab bars be safely installed by a construction contractor so they are properly anchored into the wall.
Many attendees found the Safe Aging in Place presentation to be very helpful and informative causing them to think of issues in their own homes and what their goals are for aging in place. I am always available for a free in-home consultation if anyone has questions or needs ideas about how to adapt their homes for independent living.
If someone you love is in need of care, contact us today.
