Is Your Home Designed to Meet Your Needs?

As people age, the design of their homes plays an increasingly important role in how they manage their daily activities. According to a recent AARP housing survey, 83 percent of older Americans want to stay in their current homes for the rest of their lives.

Simple home modifications not only increase your safety, but enhance your comfort and increase the likelihood of your remaining independent in your home and community. The following checklist can assist you in identifying problem areas in your home. Review your checklist, compare it with your goals, and draw up a plan for modifying your home that will make your everyday living easier, safer, and more fulfilling.

Take a good look at your home

So it is important to look at your home with a critical eye. Use the checklist that follows to identify problem areas in every part of your house. On a separate sheet of paper, note any ideas you have for improvement (see sample below).

Answer the following questions for each room / area of the house. Write down any problems you find and your ideas for improvement.

Area of the House Yes No     Windows/ Doors       Are windows/doors easy to open/close?       Are locks sturdy/easy to operate?       Are doors wide enough for a walker/wheelchair?       Are door thresholds raised too high?       Is there space to maneuver while opening/closing doors?       Does the front door have a view panel?       If so, is it at a proper height for you?         Floor Surfaces       Is the surface safe? Non-slip?       Are there scatter rugs or door mats that may be dangerous?       Are there changes in levels?       If so, are they obvious or marked in some way?         Steps/ Stairways/ Walkways       Are they in good repair?       Smooth/safe surfaces?       Are there handrails on both sides of stairway?       Is there grasping space for both knuckles and fingers on railings?       Are the stair treads deep enough for your whole foot?       Are there any hazardous open risers on stairs?       Would a ramp be feasible in any of these areas if it became necessary?         Appliances/ Kitchen/ Bath       Is arrangement convenient and safe?       Can oven/refrigerator be opened easily?       Are stove controls easy to use?       Are they clearly marked?       Is counter height/depth good for you?       Can you sit while working?       Are door cabinet knobs easy to use?       Are faucets easy to use?       Do you have convenience items such as a garbage disposal?       A trash compactor?       A hand-held shower head?       Can you get in and out of tub/shower with ease?       Do you have bath/shower seat?       Are there grab bars where needed?       Is hot water heater regulated to prevent scalding/burning?         Electrical Outlets/ Switches/ Alarms       Are outlets/switches easy to turn on/off?       Are outlets properly grounded to prevent electrical shock?       Are extension cords in good condition?       Are they needed?       Do you have smoke detectors in all necessary areas?       Do you have an alarm system?       Is the telephone readily available for emergencies?       Is the telephone equipped for hearing enhancement if necessary?       Can you hear the doorbell in every part of the house?         Lighting/Ventilation       Is lighting sufficient for purpose of area?       Is lighting bright enough for safety?       Do you have night lights where needed?       Is area well-ventilated?         Driveway/Garage       Is parking space available?       Is it convenient to entrance way?       Does garage door have an automatic opener?

FYI: Ideas for improvement that can enhance your comfort, safety, and independence

Source: AARP, "Does Your Home Meet Your Needs? A Checklist" (3/09/04). http://www.aarp.org/universalhome/checklist.html

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Increased Funding From HHS to Improve Medicare Education For Seniors and Persons with Disabilities

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced that it will award $21.1 million this year and another $31.7 million next year to state and local programs that counsel Medicare beneficiaries to help them understand and take advantage of new benefits in Medicare.

This year's 69 percent funding increase represents the increased emphasis on one-on-one advice and counseling for Medicare beneficiaries provided at State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) by staff and volunteers.

SHIPs are local organizations funded by CMS through State Units on Aging or state insurance departments in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico that provide individualized and in-depth assistance to Medicare beneficiaries, seniors and people with disabilities, to help them learn about changes to Medicare.

This additional funding will assist SHIPs in expanding their efforts to work with and reach even more Medicare beneficiaries, as well as increase and enhance their volunteer staff through additional training and resources. In addition, beneficiaries and their families can expect to see more direct mail pieces, informational booklets and pamphlets, an enhanced Web site, and a toll-free phone line.

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, "HHS Increases Funding to Educate Seniors and Disabled Americans About New Improvements to Medicare." 3/10/04; http://www.hhs.gov/news.html.

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Home Modifications Can Make Life Easier For Caregivers

Creating a safer and more sensitive home environment to meet your family's needs is extremely important. This is especially true if you are caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease. One important consideration is that each person goes through the stages of Alzheimer's disease at a different pace and an effective strategy today, may not work tomorrow. Identifying the areas of the home that are most likely to prove dangerous to someone suffering from Alzheimer's is extremely useful and can help ease the burden of caregiving.

According to an article titled The Caregiver's Guide to Home Modification by authors Mark and Ellen Warner, three specific areas have been identified that can assist in adapting the home for your loved one. The areas identified as restricted or "out of bounds" for people with Alzheimer's include rooms such as the garage, basement, and closets, where breakable, dangerous, or valuable items have been stored. Doors leading to these areas should be locked, alarmed, or controlled by wander-prevention devices. Another area described in the article is the "safe" zone, which involves making the remainder of the home accessible to the person with Alzheimer's disease. Safety-proofing the home includes using items such as "child-proof" plug outlets and prescription medication containers. Window and balcony door locks are particularly important if you live in multi-story housing or have a second-level in your home.

The article also mentions making sure that the exterior of your home is safe and secure. Identifying and removing dangerous plants in your yard and home that can be eaten or cause injury is an important step to safe-proofing your yard. Eliminating or moving thorned plants such as rose bushes or cacti is a good idea, particularly if falling becomes a problem.

Another important consideration is understanding that Alzheimer's is a progressive disease that requires continuous monitoring and adaptation. Modifications that are appropriate now, may not be as the patient moves into later stages of the disease. Caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease is challenging, especially if you choose to care for your loved one at home. Fortunately, there are a variety of products that can assist caregivers in making the home safer and more conducive to their own needs and the needs of their loved ones.

Source: "The Caregiver's Guide to Home Modification"; Warner, Mark & Warner, Ellen. Retrieved 3/30/04; http://www.ec-online.net/Knowledge/Articles/homemodify.html.

To view the full-length article, Click Here, or visit www.ec-online.net and click on "safety and security".

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