Accessible Household Must-Haves for Seniors

Many seniors prefer to age in place, especially when they live in a home where they’ve spent most of their life in. But living in a house that wasn’t designed with accessibility in mind can create some challenges. If you’re aging in place and want to have more accessibility in your home, you can make tools and home modifications to have a safe and more convenient place to live.

For the Kitchen

Many kitchens are not accessible for seniors with heavy appliances, tall cabinets, and expansive counters. You may also find more challenges in cooking and using specific kitchen tools with age. But there are some items you can acquire to make cooking and navigating your kitchen a bit simpler.

Electric can opener- Using a traditional can opener can take a lot of hand strength and may be challenging for people with arthritis. Electric can openers allow you to open a can hands-free.
Easy-grip utensils- An easy-grip utensil has a handle pointing toward the ceiling to make it easier and safer to hold. You can find a variety of utensils with an easy-grip, such as knives, spatula, and whisks.
Reacher tool- You can use a reacher tool instead of using a step stool to grab items from high shelves. You can find them online or at stores in various colors and lengths.

Additional Ways to Make Your Kitchen More Accessible

Consider these kitchen modifications if you want to overhaul your kitchen to make it easier to cook and enjoy your meals.

Hire a contractor to lower counters and cabinets. As you get older, you may find some of your counters or cabinets are too high to use easily. If you spend a lot of time in the kitchen and want to feel more comfortable in your space, you can hire a contractor to lower your counters and cabinets so they’re more accessible for you.
Move items you use the most to more accessible locations. Items you use most frequently should be placed in areas that are easy for you to access. For example, if you have a microwave above your fridge or at the back of the counter, you can move it to a microwave stand, so it’s more convenient for you to warm your food.

For the Bathroom

Seniors tend to fall in the bathroom more than any other room in the house, leading to severe injuries such as broken bones and head injuries. However, adding a few essential items can reduce your chances of fallings.

Non-slip bath mats- Make sure the floor mats in your bathroom are non-slip, so they don’t move when you step out of the shower. You can find non-slip mats online or at most convenience stores in almost any color and style.
Safety bars- You can install a safety bar on the walls of your shower to help you get in and out of the tub. You can also place them on either side of your toilet if you need assistance standing or sitting when toileting.
Shower bench- Shower floors are slippery, so using a shower bench or chair while bathing keeps you seated and reduces your chances of falling in the shower.

Additional Ways to Make Your Bathroom More Accessible

If you’re someone who enjoys their time in the bathroom taking long baths or indulging in self-care, you may want to consider more extensive modifications to your bathroom.

Replace your bathtub with a walk-in shower. You may find it challenging to step in and out with ease if you have a tub. You can replace your tub with a walk-in shower, so you don’t have to lift your legs to get into your tub. Plus, many walk-in showers have built-in seats so you can sit while bathing.

Working with Visiting Angels

If aging in place is vital to you, the team at Visiting Angels Mobile, Alabama, can ensure you feel comfortable and safe in your home. Our compassionate caregivers can assist with light housekeeping, meal preparation, personal grooming, medication reminders, mobility, and more. Our Mobile office serves the greater Mobile and surrounding areas. If you’d like to learn more about our services, you can complete this online form or call us at 251.345.4100.