According to the United States government, over 5 million Americans now care for elderly relatives that live in the same home. Many of these caregivers are still raising young families of their own and are faced with the dilemma of customizing an ordinary family home to meet the needs of an aging adult, but doing so does not have to be complicated or expensive.

Oftentimes the biggest struggle is making the house fully accessible for seniors who may not be capable of the same routines as the rest of the family. There are many simple changes you can make that will create a safer, more accessible environment for the older adult in your home.

Home Entrance

Think about the entrance to your home: is the door at ground level? Does it require climbing more than two or three steps? This is often the first obstacle for aging adults: going up and down stairs.

Stairs

The best solution to stairs, even just two steps up, is a ramp that allows a gradual increase in height without any of the exertion caused by stair-climbing. You can install a ramp over your current steps without removing them and the cost is minimal. Most home improvement stores have experts who can either help you with your project or recommend a handyman to do the work for you. If you cannot install a ramp, then keep the steps clean and free from clutter, yard debris, and especially ice. Be particularly vigilant in winter and sand the steps before use.

Handrails

Whether you have a ramp or steps into your home, install handrails on either side so that an elderly adult will be supported. Being able to grasp and lean on something sturdy helps elderly people maintain balance, so it’s very important that this support is available.

Getting inside the house safely is just the first step! There are other considerations in making your home as senior-friendly as possible. There are a few major areas that are responsible for most elderly injuries and proper precautions need to be taken with all of them. If your home has stairs and your senior must use them, be sure to install a handrail on each side of the staircase, use non-skid treads or carpet, and mark the end of the steps with brightly-colored tape to increase visibility.

Other Inside Dangers

Now take a look around your house. Are the rooms cluttered? Clutter is one of the prime culprits of falls among the elderly and limits accessibility. Reduce the clutter and that reduces the risk. Your home should be well-lit to provide the best visibility possible for aging eyes.

Try using nightlights in areas without overhead lighting and use one in the bathroom at night to prevent falls in the dark.

Check your doors: if you have round doorknobs, you may want to consider replacing them with lever door handles. A simple up-and-down lever is much easier on arthritic hands than a knob that must be grasped and twisted.

There are many other ideas and solutions for making your home accessible and comfortable for aging relatives, and most require little or no expense. A small investment of time is worth the long-term safety and happiness of your senior.