Making a Senior’s Home Safer

Most elderly want to stay living in their own home as long as possible.  But for many seniors in their 70’s and beyond, staying can present some real safety challenges.  Every year in the U.S. about 7,000 elderly people die in home-related accidents and millions are seriously injured.

To help make their home a safer, more age-friendly place to live, here are some tips and resources:

Your first step is to learn where the potential hazards lie and what you can do to reduce them.  A good place to start is at the Home Safety Council’s web site:  www.mysafehome.net where you can take a house tour that points out the possible dangers room-by-room.  Many of the changes the site suggests are simple and inexpensive, like removing clutter and throw rugs to avoid tripping, installing brighter bulbs in existing light fixtures and adding grab bars in the bathroom.

If the person has medical issues like chronic arthritis or poor vision, ask his or her doctor to prescribe a home evaluation by an occupational therapist who specializes in home modifications.  They analyze the potential challenges and shortcomings of the house and come up with a plan that you, a handyman or contractor can easily follow.  Many health insurance providers, including Medicare, will pay for a home assessment.  However, they will not cover the physical upgrades to the home.

If substantial changes are needed, but cash is in short supply, the homeowner can consider taking out a home equity loan.   Another possibility is a reverse mortgage available to those over 62.  A reverse mortgage converts the equity in the house into cash that doesn’t have to be paid back as long as the homeowner lives there.  But, the fees can be substantial, so be sure to speak with a financial planner before taking out this type of mortgage.  For information on ways you can tap into your home equity, go to:  http://www.longtermcare.gov/LTC/Main_Site/index.aspx a site run by the Department of Health and Human Services.  If funds are scarce, contact the Area Agency on Aging (800-677-1116) or visit www.eldercare.gov to find your local office.  Many state and local communities have low or no-interest loans, tax credits or other programs for those with low or moderate incomes.

In addition, get in touch with Rebuilding Together (www.rebuildingtogether.org, 800-473-4229), a national nonprofit organization that repairs and modifies homes of older, low-income homeowners to help them age in place.

Source:  Savvy Senior, Jim Miller of Norman, OK