Senior Proofing Your Home
Over the years, with many of my clients, I have seen the trend towards much greater use of “senior friendly” improvements in the home. I have come to call this “senior proofing” your home. Let me explain what I mean by this. If you had children or grandchildren, you will remember when we all had to “child proof” our homes…add those little latches on the bathroom and kitchen drawers, the plugs in the electric sockets and “gates” at the staircase or front porch. We did all this to make sure our “little angels” did not hurt themselves; we wanted to make sure they would be safe in our home…if it could be grabbed or knocked over, it was moved or put away!
Now it is time to make sure YOU are safe in your home. Many of my clients have done a Reverse Mortgage because they wanted to continue living in their home for the rest of their lives. With that being said I feel it is critically important that my clients/all senior’s homes continue being a safe place for them to live. One slip or fall, and your life can change forever…many of these fixes are simple and like insurance, only are worthwhile in that one time you happen to need them.
Let me ask you this…what have you done to make sure your home (or your parent’s home) is a safer place to live??? If you are interested in resources for home modifications you can go to the Homemods.org Resource Page.
Some things are simple such as adding area rugs on slippery surfaces (make sure the rugs are taped down, or a non-slip pad is used) and putting non-slip handles around the house where needed. Other improvements may not be as simple, such a widening stairs, ramps, etc….and may require more planning and available dollars than you may have available to you at this time.
You have heard me say many times my clients have used a Reverse Mortgage to remodel their bathrooms. You may ask yourself is remodeling necessary? Did you know it could cost you much more by doing nothing? In a study by the CDC, it was estimated that the average health care cost associated with the injuries of a fall was around $19,000! This estimate was calculating the cost of expenses of going to the hospital, nursing home, emergency room and home health care. This did not include the additional cost of the doctor’s services.
You have heard me say many times my clients have used a Reverse Mortgage to remodel their bathrooms. You may ask yourself is remodeling necessary? Did you know it could cost you much more by doing nothing? In a study by the CDC, it was estimated that the average health care cost associated with the injuries of a fall was around $19,000! This estimate was calculating the cost of expenses of going to the hospital, nursing home, emergency room and home health care. This did not include the additional cost of the doctor’s services.
Many, but not all of those injuries, could have been avoided if they had “senior proofed” their home. Do not wait until it is too late! Let’s face it, we did whatever was necessary to make sure our homes were a safe place for our younger family members, don’t you think it is time you thought the same way about yourself? Don’t let the lack of funds get in the way of your safety. A Reverse Mortgage allows you access to money that you can use to make sure your home is a safe and comfortable place to live in.
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