The unfortunate reality of life is father time is undefeated! As we continue to age, our homes can sometimes begin to feel more like an obstacle course and not a safe place to live. An unfortunate reality for some that can become an issue they believe can only be fixed by moving into an assisted living facility or having assistance from family and friends. But the majority of these hurdles can be solved with simple solutions such as grab bars, wheelchair ramps, or rubber wedge ramps. In this post we will be taking a look at some of the statistics behind aging in place and some of the products that can help keep you in your home longer!

The United States is undeniably getting older. From 2000 to 2020 the number of citizens living in the United States over the age of 55 grew from 35 million to 55 million. Of these 55 million, nearly 93% agreed that aging in place was a priority for them as they got older. Source Compare this to the one in three citizens who said that their home already has the necessary infrastructure to age in place and there is an obvious need shown for those who would like to stay in their homes. An article from the University of Michigan stated only half of older individuals who were polled had door frames large enough for a wheelchair and only 19% had an entrance with no stairs or a wheelchair ramp. A wheelchair ramp or safe entry with handrail can provide an individual aging in place peace of mind. Having this entry or exit is pivotal in times of emergency to quickly act. 

“One in three adults age 50–80 (34%) said their home definitely has the necessary features that would allow them to age in place, 47% said it probably does, and 19% said it does not. “
-University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation: Older Adults’ Preparedness to Age in Place

According to the same study at the University of Michigan, most individuals are not prepared for accidents in the area of the home they happen the most. The bathroom is the one room of the house with the most slip and fall accidents. According to the National Floor Safety Iinstitute, 40% of all admissions to nursing homes are due to slip and fall accidents. Making the bathroom a safe space to navigate is pivotal to aging in place. This can be done in a variety of ways but most commonly through the use of grab bars. Grab bars are a cheap, cost effective way to make sure you have support while getting up from the toilet or taking a shower. It is estimated that 70 billion dollars are spent every year due to slip and fall accidents in the United States. Source  Grab bars come in a variety of sizes and finishes to ensure you get exactly what you need! Another easy and cost effective solution to bathroom safety is a comfort height toilet. These toilets are two inches taller than a standard toilet, offering more support while sitting down or getting up. Grab bars and comfort height toilets are two easy fixes to prevent falls for you or your loved ones while they age in place, and are kept in stock at Senior Home Solutions. Typically grab bars, and comfort height toilets only take around an hour to install, so there is minimal impact on your daily life!

Aging and losing mobility is natural, and part of every person’s life, it’s how you prepare for this aging that will allow you to live comfortably for years to come. Items such as wheelchair ramps, grab bars, handrail, and comfort height toilets are a simple solution to help you age in place while preventing the huge costs associated with accidents in the home. We at Senior Home Solutions take pride in providing these home mobility products. Whether it be one grab bar or a fifty foot wheelchair ramp, we are here to help!

CTA: Contact us today for a quote!

Sources:

• https://www.healthyagingpoll.org/reports-more/report/older-adults-preparedness-age-place?fbclid=IwAR3Mi__jt7Dlg3sTTisUNjDWZdoe1gJeaTDTFJ6tblb0tW79OG6_RbVLm8o
• https://nfsi.org/nfsi-research/quick-facts/
• https://www.census.gov/data/tables/2020/demo/age-and-sex/2020-older-population.html
• https://www.healthyagingpoll.org/reports-more/report/older-adults-preparedness-age-place
• https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2023/05/2020-census-united-states-older-population-grew.html