Does Your Home Welcome You?
As our neighborhoods steadily grow with new construction, the median age of houses in our county is 23 years old. Homes purchased when our families were younger, activity levels higher, health at its peak, change as we change. Change as we age. The friendly communities and multi-level homes that welcomed us on moving day may not serve us as life happens and our needs, abilities evolve.
Maybe the kids are now adults and have moved out to start their own lives. Maybe you have welcomed your aging parents, in-laws or grandparents to move in with you so that you assist with care or have a child(adolescent or adult) with developmental, sensory or mobility impairments with long-term needs, you or your spouse have chronic health conditions, loved ones that use wheelchair, walkers, canes or crutches that you would like to visit your home more often? So many scenarios to consider...does your home welcome you as well as your loved ones and visitors.
Taking quarterly inventory of your home and taking proactive steps to modify your home so that it welcomes you and supports you is great way to safely thrive in your home. Pay attention to your mobility, endurance, lighting, areas of your home you don't use often and reasons why.
A few things to consider when assessing your home's "welcomeness":
Overall safety (can you safely access your bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, at least 2 exits of your home)
Unsecured rugs or slippery flooring
Inadequate lighting
Steps to enter/exit home--is there railing, non-skid steps, covered in case of rail, snow
Doorways--are they wide enough to easily pass through, not scraping skin *Minimum average width is 32 inches for doorways for standard size wheelchair and walker users
Stairs in home with railing on both sides
Home security cameras/equipment
Amount of ease to open/close doors--lever style handles are easier for most
Clutter--remove anything blocking walkways, stairs, steps. Remove and relocate excess furniture
Smart home features--voice-activated tech--Alexa; can be integrated for lights, door locks, garage, thermostat, and more
Adequate seating options throughout home and on porch and patio(sturdy arm chairs work well)
At least one entrance that has no stairs to access home
Main floor bathroom
Consider upcoming surgery or life events that may change you or your loved ones independence/abilities--amputation, dementia, low vision, Parkinson's, etc.
Visitability is a design approach that anyone who uses a wheelchair or other mobility device should be able to visit. Learn more: https://visitability.org/
It's YOUR home, may it welcome and serve you well.
Shunaka White, Embrey Mill resident. Occupational therapist. Home/Community Accessibility Safety Specialist. For Safety's Sake LLC www.forsafetyot.com info@forsafetyot.com 202-696-0634 Aging in Place, Universal Design, Dementia Caregiver Consulting, Group Home & Accessible Vacation Rental(Airbnb) Consulting
