Safety is the first concern when addressing home improvements for a senior. Typically, as a person’s ability to care for themselves becomes increasingly limited, their safety should be the focus. Falls in the home are very common for seniors and can cause devastating changes in health status and independence. Any changes that can be made to the home which will help prevent falls should be addressed immediately. Added benefits to the safety improvement measures that are taken in the home are the senior’s access to expanded conveniences and better functionality within the home for normal daily activities. These benefits allow for a less stressful and more comfortable living environment making it easier, overall, for a senior to remain independently in his or her home. Each home and safety improvement situation is different depending on the condition of the home and the needs of the senior.

What does home improvement mean for a senior?

A senior who is living in a safe and comfortable home, is able to live more independently and ‘age in place’. When the modifications made in the senior’s home have addressed safety and comfort issues, the senior’s quality of life improves and the length of time that they will not need assistance from a family member, paid service provider, or be moved into an assisted living facility will be greatly extended.

What is the caregiver’s role in home and safety improvement?

Caregivers are responsible for the safety of the senior in their care and need to look at safety features from a different perspective. A senior may or may not need to be protected from certain elements within the home given his or her specific impairments. The caregiver should determine the necessary measures for making changes in the home. Again, some changes will be small and others more substantial. If the caregiver is not a family member, he or she should get permission to make changes to the home that would require any monetary investment. It may take the approval of many family members to make substantial changes.

How do I assess the needs of the home and the senior?

As you look through the improvement recommendations in this guide and compare them with the condition of the senior’s home, determine which items are of highest priority to fix when it comes to keeping the senior safe. Even the smallest of changes can make a big difference. First understand the limitations of the senior. Ask the senior what areas in particular are difficult to navigate in the house, e.g. stairs, pathways, bathrooms, kitchen, etc. Next, observing the senior in the home will also provide clues of what he or she may be struggling with on a regular basis. It may be helpful to have ElderCompass who works with seniors come in to do an assessment of the home and the senior.

Is there assistance with paying for home improvements?

All states and many local communities have programs to assist seniors with home maintenance, seasonal weatherization, and needed repairs. Fees range from free, except for the cost of materials, to an ability-to-pay basis. Home repair loans are offered by government housing agencies and various nonprofit organizations. The loans can be interest-free or a below-market rate and eligibility requirements apply. Your local Area Agency on Aging will be able to help you locate these programs and determine which programs align with your situation.

Some sources for these loans are:

1. Title III of the Older Americans Act

2. U.S. Department of Agriculture Section 504 Rural Development Home Repair Loans

3. Local Community Development Departments

4. U.S. or local Department of Energy weatherization loans

5. Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) for disaster assistance

Safety is a key concern for the aging population, by looking at issues as they arise and making small changes the costs will be smaller in the long run than if the senior hurts themselves.