Pearls of Wisdom for Making Your Home Safer & More Accessible

The terms “Aging in Place,” “Full Access Home™,” “Living in Place,” “Forever Home,” “Universal

Steve Weaver is an award-winning accessibility nerd who turned his passion for helping his daughter and parents into a mission to make homes safer, comfier, and hospital-chic free. At HomeBase Solutions, the family-run biz he started with his son, Nick, helps folks age in place with dignity and style, one grab bar at a time.

Design,” and others are all being used to describe pretty much the same thing: ideally, a home that someone of any age and ability can visit or live in safely and comfortably. Homeowners often believe that their home will lose resale value if modified for accessibility. Fortunately, it is entirely possible to keep a house looking like a home and not a hospital!

With a growing awareness of more and more older adults wanting to live in their homes and the industry responding in kind, there are many wonderful options available. It is entirely possible to adjust a home in an elegant manner. Here are three simple, smart tips to help point you in the right direction.

Tip 1: Avoid falling.

As the number one cause of seniors’ untimely demise, this is the highest consideration. Remove throw rugs as they tend to bunch up and slip. A change in a person’s ability to walk unaided—or even with a walker or wheelchair—is directly impacted by anything on the floor. At the very least, use double-stick carpet tape to hold area rugs or throw rugs in place.

Tip 2: Grab bars do not have to look like the ones at a gas station.

There are so many stylish designs that fit into any type of home. A recently introduced grab bar allows for tile inlay, helping to blend into the space. Contrast is beneficial for easily finding said grab bars or, for that matter, anything else. As our eyes age, it becomes even more challenging to distinguish the differences in height and depth, so contrast becomes our friend.

Tip 3: Use a contractor familiar with these concepts.

As a reader of this newsletter, start by asking your contact at Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning, PLLC; they know people. It is a good idea to get more than one quote. Finding local specialists can often be addressed by an existing relationship with an open-minded general contractor who is willing to learn. Or maybe they can sub-contract this specialty (much like they often use a plumber, electrician, roofer, etc.) to an expert. Contractor(s) should be verified via Tennessee’s Department of Commerce & Insurance by visiting their website or calling 615-741-2241.