Handy Home Improvements for Aging in Place

Will you stay or will you go? That’s the question that many retirees face as they age. 

According to a recent AARP poll, 90% of people surveyed planned on living at home for at least five to 10 years after they turned 65. So why is staying put such a popular choice? In addition to comfort and proximity to family, another is certainly cost. The average renovation budget for aging in place adds up to around $10,000 versus an assisted living facility which can average around $50,000 per year or much more. 

If you or your parents are considering aging at home, there are some things you can do to make a house more comfortable and safer as getting around becomes increasingly challenging. Popular upgrades such as widening doorways and fitting a walk-in shower should be done by a professional but there are also small things any homeowner can do to start getting prepared. Here are some great DIY ideas:

Grab Bars

A simple grab bar can make everyday tasks like using the bathroom and taking a shower a lot less dangerous. One thing to remember is that a grab bar will potentially have to hold the full weight of a person, so be sure to screw it to wall studs as opposed to sheetrock and pay attention to the weight limit of the bar. In addition to bathrooms, a bar by the bed can help someone with mobility issues get in and out easily.

Ramps

People tend to think that ramps are just for wheelchairs, but that’s not the case. Stairs are a major tripping hazard for anyone who is getting older. Small threshold ramps can be installed between rooms inside while a larger 16-foot ramp will generally suffice for the transition from inside to outside. 

Smart Technology

There are so many fantastic tech options to make aging parents more comfortable while giving their loved one’s peace of mind. From temperature controls to automated blinds, lighting to entertainment systems to locks, being able to control the home with a smartphone can give a mature adult a lot more freedom. Safety systems have come a long way since the “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” days, with sensors and cameras that can detect changes in movement and routine better than ever before.

Doorknobs

Common issues such as arthritis can make opening doorknobs painful and difficult. Lever handles are a much better option and an inexpensive fix. Similarly, furniture and kitchen knobs should be swapped out with bar-style handles for easier access.  

Electric Stair Lifts

While they are one of the most expensive improvements, a chair to help navigate stairs is a must for people with muscular weakness or walking problems. In addition to physical safety, most people are comforted by knowing there is a safe way to get between floors without fear.

No-Slip Flooring

Falls are the most common cause of injury and death for older Americans and many take place in the bathroom. Replacing or covering the flooring with a non-slip surface is a smart preventative measure and can help reduce the risk of an accident when the floor becomes wet. Many options are simple to install and materials can be found at most local home improvement stores. 

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Downsizing During a Record-Breaking Real Estate Market

I read an article last week that said the local real estate market is riding a 15-year high as urbanites look to flee the city and work-from-home folks need more space. 

Selling the family home for a smaller house or apartment is a popular consideration as we age. As much pleasure as a larger property can offer, it’s also a lot to clean and maintain on a regular basis. Many baby boomers agree. According to a survey by real estate company Zillow, almost 50 percent of boomers who sold homes were in the process of downsizing. So how should you tackle the tough and tedious process of deciding what stays and what will go? Here are a few tips to take into consideration.

Start Now

Even if you’re not yet ready to downsize, it’s a good idea to begin organizing yourself early. Seasonal changes are a fantastic time to start getting rid of clothing and equipment that never make it out of the closet. Pretty soon it will be spring, so take stock of what you didn’t use in the winter. Facebook Marketplace is a great way to make a few extra dollars on gently used goods or consider your local shelter or Salvation Army for donations. 

Take Photos

Leaving a house can be difficult, especially if it’s one that you’ve raised your family in. Be sure to take photos and videos of the various places where memories were made. After the house is gone, you’ll appreciate reminiscing and remembering the good times through pictures. A video diary is a fun thing to share with the kids too. 

Choose Your Favorites

Collections are always very hard to part with. My best tip is to pick a few favorites and let the rest go. Some collections have plenty of sentimentalities but not much monetary value. Other collections can be worth a pretty penny once you’re ready to part with it. Either way, downsizing into a smaller space is the perfect time to get rid of some of the things you’ve been holding onto for a long time. 

Paperwork Purge

This is one of the worst tasks but it’s a must for many downsizers. So many of us hold onto paperwork for too long, only to get completely overwhelmed and bogged down with it years later. Things that might seem worth keeping such as tax returns only need to be filed for seven years if that. Most of our accounts and records are kept online anyway, so there is really little need to have hard copies of anything. Invest in a good shredder and start pushing that paper.

Get Help

Downsizing is tough to do alone, so enlist your children to help with the sorting and organizing. If you’re the sentimental type, it’s also a good opportunity to pass treasures onto family members. I also advise having someone close by if you’re tackling the more difficult parts of the home such as attics and storage spaces as they can be quite warm, stuffy, and harder to navigate. Don’t take on any of these projects if you’re home alone. 

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Basement Odors Might Mean Something More Sinister

Most people think that a musty basement smell is par for the course. Isn’t having a space that’s underground going to have an odor no matter what? 

Let’s first talk about what the odor really is. Since basements are damper than any other part of the house, they are susceptible to higher humidity. Where there is higher humidity, there is a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Why is this a problem? In addition to being bad for your home’s health, it’s terrible for yours too. Mold and mildew can bring on asthma and allergies and can make anyone with a respiratory problem feel a lot worse. 

The ideal humidity level for most homes is 50% or lower, but in basements, humidity can often skyrocket to 80%, which is the perfect environment for mold to flourish. If your basement seems extra damp, I highly suggest investing in a dehumidifier that will work to draw the moisture out of the air. You’ll be shocked at how quickly the holding tank on an average-sized unit fills. You may have to dump it daily, but in doing so you’ll be removing moisture that allows mold to grow in the first place.

Once you have rid your basement of extra moisture, it’s time to purify the air. Overly humid areas attract a lot of bacteria, which is what causes the smell in the first place. That bacteria can live in walls and spread into your fabrics, furniture, and storage. By killing the bacteria in the air, you will remove contaminants that not only stink, but can also cause or irritate allergies, asthma, and immune system disorders.

One of the best air dehumidification and purification units I’ve seen is by Aerus.  They produce a system that uses NASA technology to remove pathogens, pollution, contaminants, and even pet dander from the air. Regardless of what brand you go with, be sure to look for a unit that has the EnergyStar seal, and make sure that you pay attention to the capacity of the air filtration as it pertains to your room size. If you have a big space with a lot of moisture, you might want to consider a unit that has a self-draining system to save your back and your patience.

Regardless of your plan of attack, the air quality in your home should be taken seriously. If your kids are coughing or have allergies and you seem to have difficulty breathing at home, it might be worth a call to your local pro for an air quality inspection. The symptoms of a mold allergy are not dissimilar to a common cold, so a simple reading of your in-home humidity might be a smart first step

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.