“Aging at home” is the name given to the phenomenon describing the ability of older people to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible. Of course, people who age at home do not require the necessary support services such as those offered in specialized centers. That said, stay tuned as we look at how a home can be adapted to the changing needs of its occupants.

With the aging of the baby boomers, those born between 1946 and 1965, this segment of the population has surpassed the 6.8 million mark! Research shows that Boomers’ expectations of care are understandably different from those of their parents’ generation. The vast majority will seek care in their own homes and will be less likely to move to congregate settings.

To make life at home easier, several corrections and adaptations can be made to improve maneuverability, accessibility and safety for elderly occupants. For example, installing a seat in the shower, painting the slopes and edges of walls and countertops a bright color to avoid accidents, changing conventional cabinets to sliding door cabinets, changing the height of light switches, installing anti-scald faucets, ensuring that all floor coverings are smooth and non-slip, increasing the amount of light everywhere, especially in hallways and steps, using loop door handles for easier gripping, and so on!

But before making any changes, our inspectors advise those who wish to age in place to discuss their preferences with their family. For example, do they want to change to a smaller living environment or keep the same house? Is the work and modification too costly? And so on.

Remodel your home before your mobility is reduced. As you age, changes in mobility, hearing, vision, general health and flexibility will affect how easily you can move around your home. So make incremental, budgeted improvements, rather than waiting until you need many changes at once because of a health incident.

If you decide before you even retire that you want to live in your home for the rest of your life, why not start planning for long-term renovation projects and putting money aside while you still have a good income.

In summary, most seniors leave their homes due to functional and mobility limitations resulting from health problems, and the inability to pay for assistance to remain in their homes. Effectively managing health risks and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help you stay strong, age well and live long in your home.

Click on the image below to download our free Adaptations to Consider for anyone who wants to age well at home (in french only)!