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Aging-in-Place and Accessibility Inspection
"Aging in place" is the phenomenon describing senior citizens' ability to live independently in their homes for as long as possible. Those who age in place will not have to move from their present residence in order to secure necessary support services in response to their changing needs.
Why do many senior citizens prefer to age in place?
Nursing homes, to many, represent a loss of freedom and a reduced quality of life. Here are a few good reasons why these fears are justified:
Advice for those who wish to age in place:
The inspector may recommend corrections and adaptions to the home to improve maneuverability, accessibility and safety for elderly or impaired occupants. Some recommendations for your home will involve:
* Appliances
* Bathrooms
* Kitchen
* Exterior
* Entry/Egress of the Home
* Electrical, Lighting, Safety & Security
* Plumbing
* Flooring
* Hallways
* Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning
* Miscellaneous Items as directional focus
* Interior/Overall Floor Plan
* Reduced Maintenance & Convenience Features
* Stairways, Lifts & Elevators
* Storage
* Windows
The Inspector will recommend corrections and adaptations to the home to improve maneuverability, accessibility, and safety for elderly occupants. This includes identifying trip hazards, fall hazards, and small improvements to make the home easier to use.
In summary, aging in place is a way by which senior citizens can avoid being dependent on others due to declining health and mobility.
Why do many senior citizens prefer to age in place?
Nursing homes, to many, represent a loss of freedom and a reduced quality of life. Here are a few good reasons why these fears are justified:
- In 2007, government inspectors received 37,150 complaints about conditions in nursing homes. Roughly one-fifth of the complaints verified by federal and state authorities involved the abuse or neglect of patients. Specific problems included infected bedsores, medication mix-ups, poor nutrition, and other forms of neglect.
- The proportion of nursing homes cited for deficiencies ranged from 76% in Rhode Island to as high as 100% in Alaska, Idaho, Wyoming and Washington, D.C.
- Many cases have been exposed in which nursing homes billed Medicare and Medicaid for services that were not provided.
- A significant percentage of nursing homes had deficiencies that caused immediate jeopardy or actual harm to patients.
Advice for those who wish to age in place:
- Talk with family members about your long-term living preferences. Do you want to downsize to a smaller single-family home, or do you plan to stay put in your traditional family home?
- Take a look at your finances and retirement funds. With your current savings and assets, will you be able to pay for home maintenance? Consider starting a separate retirement savings account strictly for home maintenance.
- Remodel your home before your mobility becomes limited. As you age, changes in mobility, hearing, vision and overall health and flexibility will affect how easily you function in your home. Consider making your home “age-friendly” as a phased-in and budgeted home improvement, rather than waiting until you need many modifications at a time due to a health crisis.
- If you decide before you retire that you want to live in your current home through the remainder of life, consider paying for “big ticket – long life” home projects while you still have a healthy income. Such items may include having the roof assessed or replaced, replacing and upgrading the water heater or cooling unit, completing termite inspections and treatment, having a septic tank inspection and replacement, as needed, and purchasing a riding lawn mower.
- InterNACHI advocates healthy living, as it plays a vital role in your ability to age in place. Most seniors leave their homes due to functional and mobility limitations that result from medical crises, and an inability to pay for support to stay with them in their home. Effectively managing health risks and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help you stay strong, age well, and live long at your own home.
The inspector may recommend corrections and adaptions to the home to improve maneuverability, accessibility and safety for elderly or impaired occupants. Some recommendations for your home will involve:
* Appliances
* Bathrooms
* Kitchen
* Exterior
* Entry/Egress of the Home
* Electrical, Lighting, Safety & Security
* Plumbing
* Flooring
* Hallways
* Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning
* Miscellaneous Items as directional focus
* Interior/Overall Floor Plan
* Reduced Maintenance & Convenience Features
* Stairways, Lifts & Elevators
* Storage
* Windows
The Inspector will recommend corrections and adaptations to the home to improve maneuverability, accessibility, and safety for elderly occupants. This includes identifying trip hazards, fall hazards, and small improvements to make the home easier to use.
In summary, aging in place is a way by which senior citizens can avoid being dependent on others due to declining health and mobility.
For your professional home inspection by a certified, experienced, and insured home inspector in Cedar Falls, Waterloo, Waverly, Shell Rock, Janesville, Finchford, New Hartford, Clarksville, Parkersburg, Aplington, Kesley, Stout, Fern, Sinclair, Dike, Wellsburg, Holland, Grundy Center,Reinbeck, Dinsdale, Morrison, Zaneta, Voorhies, Gladbrook, Traer, Buckingham, Dysart, Hudson, La Porte City, Garrison, Vinton, Mt Auburn, Brandon, Shady Grove, Urbana, Rowley, Independence, Jesup, Evansdale, Elk Run Heights, Dunkerton, Klinger, Oran, Fairbank, Hazelton, Oelwein, Tripoli, Plainfield, Buck Creek, Westgate, Frederika, Sumner, Iowa or Black Hawk, Bremer, Butler, Buchanan, Grundy, Tama, Benton counties call Jon Bronemann Home Inspections, LLC at 319-239-5880