Tuesday, January 11, 2022

Media Call:
Trisha Gedon | Communications Professional | 405-744-3625 | [email protected]

House sweet house. It is in which folks sense the most comfy. On the other hand, as Oklahomans
age, their residences could require modifications to make certain residents’ safety.

“Aging in put really goes past just ageing – it also could be a man or woman who simply just
has difficulty receiving all over,” said Scott Frazier, Oklahoma State University Extension energy administration professional and associate professor in the OSU Division of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering. “This is essential, specially in rural spots where assisted living alternatives aren’t
offered.”

Some tasks that can increase the security component could get just a handful of hrs, while
some others might contain a contractor.

One particular way to make the property extra livable and safer for getting old occupants is to put in
seize bars in high-chance parts where a slip or tumble is much more probably.

“Just a minimal little bit of drinking water on a tile or linoleum toilet floor can be unsafe.
Bathtubs and showers also can come to be slick with soapy drinking water,” he reported. “If there’s
ample area, think about applying a shower seat. Coupled with a hand-held shower head, this
adds much more steadiness for bathing.”

Other choices involve setting up a get bar in close proximity to the rest room for individuals who may possibly have
trouble sitting and standing again up and placing a further bar in the vicinity of the mattress for comparable
causes.

When setting up seize bars, make guaranteed they are screwed into wall studs, not just drywall.
These bars are reasonably priced and can be observed at regional hardware retailers or requested on-line
by way of a wide variety of capability stores.

Out of doors ramps can be practical outside of wheelchair mobility requires. Methods can develop into really
a challenge for folks on their toes as perfectly.

“People with mobility troubles can have problem lifting their legs to navigate porch
stairs. A ramp helps make it less complicated to enter and go away the dwelling,” Frazier stated. “Remember,
the ramps also have to have banisters or handrails. Something else to look at is a threshold
ramp for doorways to deliver a sleek area transition from a single home to the subsequent.”

Other household advancement recommendations to assistance with getting old in area involve:

  • Substitute spherical doorknobs with lever-type handles.
  • Install a lavatory heater/lamp for seniors who produce aching joints or body heat
    regulation issues.
  • Update flooring. Carpet can be a main resource of journeys and falls. It is also less difficult
    to maneuver a wheelchair on a sound-area flooring.
  • Incorporate vibrant lighting and sound railings on each and every facet of a staircase. A stair lift also
    could be a remedy.
  • Put in a swivel turntable, or lazy Susan, in a cabinet to continue to keep contents arranged
    and easy to obtain.
  • Insert a kitchen area island or prep table at a comfortable height.
  • Attach wall hooks to make things simpler to achieve.
  • Take into account slide-out shelving, which is a lot more available than cupboards that involve crouching
    or bending.

“Making just a number of changes can aid your loved types keep in their property for a longer time, which
is where they are the happiest,” Frazier mentioned.