Should You Continue Living in Your Current Home?
As we age and think about future living for ourselves or a senior family member, it’s wise to perform something called an “age-in-place assessment” for each room. Detailed “home assessment” worksheets can be found at AdaptMy.com. Typical home assessment questions include:
›› Are the hallways and doorways wide enough? To safely maneuver in a wheelchair or on crutches, doorways need to be at least 36 inches wide and hallways at least 42 inches in width.
›› Are steps the only way to get in / out of the home? If so, a ramp may need to be built.
›› Are the walls in the shower / tub area suitable for grab bars? Old lathe-and-plaster walls may need extra support added.
›› Can the doorbell be clearly heard in every room? Concerned neighbors, authorities and loved ones should always be able to summon you quickly.
›› Do you “sink” into your favorite seating? Eventually, you may find it difficult—or impossible—to get up from such furniture.
›› Can you reach what you need without standing on tiptoes, using a stool or moving things out of the way?
›› Are there at least three electrical outlets in every room to safely power up any necessary medical devices?
Once you identify any areas that need to be addressed, you can then research solutions (and the associated costs) to determine if living at home is still the best option.
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