A to Z Disease

Hosted by Brad Staggs, Home Improvement Expert

Did you know over a third of people over age 65 fall each year and over two-thirds of those falls occur right in the home? There are some simple home improvements you can make now to make your home easier to live in later in life.

Floors & Furniture

* Remove any rug not permanently tacked down. If you decide to keep throw rugs, put a good non-slip pad underneath so it doesn't move or catch someone's foot.
* Consider putting down wall-to-wall carpeting if you have linoleum or ceramic tiles, The carpets shouldn't be too thick or plush.
* Remove any low-standing furniture or decorative items that might cause someone to trip. These are things like baskets, plants, footstools or coffee tables.
* Replace chairs that have wheels on the bottom. If it's difficult to get in and out of a chair, consider installing a lift chair or adding height to your couch.
* Place sturdier risers underneath the legs of furniture to give them extra height.

The Bathroom

* Install grab bars round the tub, shower and toilet. You need to find a bar that's designed to hold at least 250 pounds. Remember always install grab bars directly into the wall studs.
* Elevate toilet seats.
* If your bathroom has the space, consider a walk-in shower or a walk-in bathtub, with a door and built-in seating.
* Use non-skid mats in front of the sink and toilet and outside the tub if you don't put down low-pile carpeting.
* Cover the bottom of the tub with a suctioned safety mat or some sort of permanent rough coating.
* Replace faucet knobs with lever handles to make it easy to turn water on and off.
* Have outlets installed at a level that is easily accessible.

The Kitchen

* Make sure everything in the kitchen is within easy reach. You don't want to have to use a step stool or a ladder, which means you may have a little rearranging to do in your cabinets.
* Put all of your loved one's important information on a piece of paper on the refridgerator: this should include their name, any medications they're taking, any allergies, and the contact information for their doctors and family members. Make sure to keep it up-to-date.
* Consider raising the front of the refrigerator 1/4 inch so the door closes automatically.

Other Tips

* Make sure staircases have hand rails on at least one side.
* Keep flashlights throughout the house, especially close to the bed.
* Program your phones so that emergency numbers only require one-button dialing.
* Replace doorknobs with lever handles so you don't have to grip and turn the knob to open the door.
* Make sure that your water heaters thermostat is kept at no more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent scalding.
* Consider putting a ramp at places like the garage or the front door to make it easier to get in and out.

Depending on your house, your budget and your own situation, you can make your home comfortable and safe for years to come.