Aging in Place Safely

Guest blog by Access Solutions and Augustana Care. Liberty Oxygen and Medical Equipment is committed to providing superior service and offering quality products for our Minneapolis and St. Paul metro area customers. We reached out to our friends at Access Solutions and Augustana Care for some tips to help you stay safe while aging in place. Are you an older adult who would like to stay in your home? According to the United States of Aging survey conducted by AARP in 2012, approximately ninety percent of seniors surveyed intend to continue living in their current home for the next five to ten years. Of these individuals, eighty-five percent believe they are able to do so without having to make significant modifications to their home. Although major changes to the home may not be necessary, minor modifications can provide a more supportive environment that promotes independence. Access Solutions, a division of Centrex Rehab, is co-owned by Augustana Care and other non-profit organizations. Access Solutions has partnered with community members to provide helpful information and resources to support older adults to continue living independently. Implementing simple, cost effective home modifications, which helps lower the risk of falls and promotes safe, active living, can help elders and those with disabilities live safely in their homes, when appropriate. Access Solutions combines a knowledge of interior design with physical and occupational therapy and creates solutions which meet the unique needs of each client. Access Solutions uses a universal design approach to design all products and environments, to be usable by many people regardless of ability or situation, without the need for adaptation. This approach encourages the ability to age in place. Staff members’ goals are to create a safe environment so people of all ages living independently can complete daily tasks without risk of injury.  Services include those listed below and more:

• Education/prevention
• Home access assessments
• Modification assessment report
• Design and consultation
• Alzheimer’s/dementia environment consulting 

Access Solutions Director Alissa Boroff says, “People sometimes have to leave their homes because of environmental barriers. Yet often, all they really need are some simple adaptations or the right equipment.” As an occupational therapist and interior designer, Boroff typically follows residents from room to room to see how they navigate their surroundings. She will then suggest improvements, ranging from ideas such as removing slippery throw rugs to installing grab bars and railings. In many cases, the cost of installing railings in a few crucial places can run about $1,000 or less. Following are simple, low-cost/no-cost updates that can be done to make your home more safe and livable as you get older: 

Install grab bars in bathroom	Generally used: tub/shower across from toilet next to toilet
Install raised toilet seats	Replace existing toilet with comfort height toilet, or add raised toilet seat to existing toilet.
Install lever handles	Replace door knobs with lever handles
Install a railing at stairways	Add railings at interior and exterior stairs
Install contrasting material or color on stairs	Add permanent or semi-permanent contrast color at stair treads to easily see the steps
Neutralize thresholds at doorways	Modify thresholds with transition strips or threshold ramps to be 1⁄2” or less
Update lighting	Add additional task and general lighting
Create easy access to kitchen storage	Add features for ease of use, such as: pull out shelves lazy Susan drawers
Install adjustable hand-held shower head	Replace existing shower head with one including controls that are easy to access and operate
Create easy access to closet storage	Add varied height shelving and rods in closets for ease of use

This list was compiled by Access Solutions and Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging as a resource only. 

About Augustana Care:

Augustana Care provides housing, health care and community-based services to older generations and others in need—and helps those we serve live the lives that most inspire them. The principles that guide our work are as follows:

• To value older generations’ talents and experience
• To provide the care residents need, when and where they need it
• To connect residents to the people and things that mean the most to them
• To support residents and families with spiritual care that speaks to who they are

Learn more about Augustana Care at www.augustanacare.org. Access Solutions is a division of Centrex Rehab, which was founded in 2012 and is co-owned by Augustana Care and other non-profit organizations. Centrex Rehab is a therapy company that provides rehabilitation services to a diverse clientele in many distinct settings. Your health and well-being is too important to trust to just anyone. Let the caring professionals at Liberty Oxygen and Medical Equipment assist you with the home medical equipment and other healthcare and oxygen supplies you need. Stop in any of our eight Minneapolis and St. Paul metro locations or contact us today with questions or concerns.