4 Senior Friendly Home Updates

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As our loved one’s age there are some elements of their homes that become more of a hazard than a necessity. Limited mobility and agility are a common factor in household accidents amongst seniors. In order to stay in the house they love longer, here are 4 home upgrades you should consider adding to keep them safe and happy.

Update Flooring And Secure Rugs

The flooring in our houses can actually cause seniors a lot of trouble. High-pile carpet and some surfaces like hardwood can be an issue for someone who has balance issues or drags their feet. Consider removing high-pile carpets with low-pile and check the slip rating of hardwood, tile, or laminate before installing. If removing the flooring is not an option add more rugs to the area and secure them with non-slip pads or grip tape.

Upgrade to A Walk In Bath or Shower

Showers are already a hazard for every age group, with slippery floors and edges we need to step over. For seniors, the best changes to make is to upgrade their shower or bathtub into a walk-in. In the walk-in shower, add a shower bench, a handrail, and a detachable head for more comfort and security. A walk-in bath already comes with a seat and safety handrail installed.

Update Your Stairs

Make climbing stairs easier by adding grip tape to non-carpeted stairs or non-slip tread mats to carpeted or non-carpeted staircases. Check to see if the handrails are tight and sturdy enough to catch your loved ones in case they fell. Consider installing another set of handrails on the other side for added balance. You should also consider adding lights under each stair. This way even at night they will be able to clearly see each step, avoiding any stair-related falls.

Install Handrails Around The House

Handrails and grab bars are not just for the bathroom. They are useful and can be added around the house, like in the kitchen, hallways, living rooms and even bedrooms. A bedrail might be the perfect addition to your loved one's bedroom if they have difficulty getting in and out of bed. Some designs fit nicely between the mattress and the box spring and can even help with changing positions in the night.

It’s our job to ensure the seniors in our lives are taken care of and are comfortable. We want them to enjoy their house as long as possible by making the right adjustments. Talk to your loved ones about making any upgrades that they might need. For more senior-friendly updates contact us today.

At Knowledge Broker, our goal is to create an open-source of information for all our clients. We want to ensure that, at the end of the day, they get exactly what they want and what they need. If you know someone who could use our help or services please put them in touch with us or send us their details using the contact information below. And before you go, click here to take the Knowledge Broker Quiz and see exactly what we can do for you!

JOSHUA CAMPBELL (@knowledgebrkr)
Real Estate Broker
Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Centre, Brokerage
j oshua@knowledgebroker.ca
249 Avenue Road • Newmarket, ON L3Y 1N8
289.231.0001