Senior And Disabled Homeowner Safety Reviews For Fall Prevention And Ease Of Use
For homeowners that choose to “age in place”, a 4th Quarter Certified Senior Housing Safety Specialist (SHSS) team member can help reduce a homeowner’s risk by identifying most home fall hazards, including acting as a concierge to recommend and coordinate requested repairs or improvements. For less than the cost of most medical co-payments, this unique and comprehensive assessment can save you thousands of dollars in medical cost, and of course greatly improve home safety, comfort, and the ability to remain independent.
Most falls are caused by a combination of things that most of us, especially seniors with disabilities, don’t’ notice or take for granted. The more risk factors a senior has the greater their chances of falling and severely injuring themselves. Many active seniors find it is far more cost-efficient to make home improvements to accommodate the effects of aging rather than seek out a facility that meets all of their unique needs. Moving to a typical assisted living facility can cost as much as $75,000.00 per year or more, plus the cost of the move. These costs will increase as health continues to deteriorate and additional care services are provided.
According to a recent report by the National Association of Home Builders, the cost to widen a bathroom door, put in safety bars, and a roll-in shower would typically cost about $6,000 to $8,000, which is a one-time expense instead of a monthly or yearly drain on a homeowner’s finances.
In addition to the economics, consider the psychological impact of and being uprooted from your community, familiar rituals, independence and privacy. The affordability of aging-in-place remodeling is enhanced by the fact that medically necessary changes such as wider doorways or a roll-in shower may be deductible on your taxes if backed up by a letter from your doctor.
Here’s Some Examples:
Kitchens – Lower, drawer-style appliances are wheelchair accessible, while D-shaped pulls make opening cabinets easier. Softer flooring and rounded counters reduce the possibility of injury. Make sure the home has a lot of light by adding more or brighter light bulbs.
Workspaces – Desks and work counters should have a three-foot-wide knee drawer and additional lighting.
Doorways – Any entry can be widened for wheelchair width; thresholds can be eliminated and ramps can be installed.
Bathrooms – Water temperature controls and adjustable showerheads make it easy to get clean, while a curb-free, extra-wide shower with a bench makes showering more comfortable. Modifications such as adding grab bars inside and outside your tub or shower as well as next to the toilet. You can also install a walk-in tub with comfortable, reclining interior and self-cleaning features.
Staircases – Add railings on both sides of stairwells or in a hallway. Or these can be eliminated altogether with an elevator or a wheelchair lift.
There are hundreds of options for ensuring safety and ease of use. We will help the senior homeowner identify which improvements or modifications might be important based on their specific needs.
Prepared with at least 273 non-medical safety checkpoints**, our 4th Quarter Senior Home Safety Specialist (SHSS) will provide a comprehensive, front-to-back risk assessment of the client’s property. Additionally, once the Assessment is complete and shared with the client, 4th Quarter also offers a la carte services to complete the purchase of non-medical products and coordinate new installations or retrofits.*
Service Options:
– 1 Time Senior Home Safety Assessment covering a minimum of 273 non-medical safety checkpoints.
– 1 Year Subscription Service that includes an initial Senior Home Safety Assessment covering a minimum of 273 non-medical safety checkpoints and 3 Quarterly follow-up visits to identify new risks or provide additional observations and recommendations.
– Senior Safety Concierge Service to recommend non-medical product purchases, purchase products and find qualified installers to complete installations.
If you would like to learn more about 4th Quarter services for our senior community, as well as service pricing, please contact us.