Want to age in place? How to make your home work for you and plan for costs
After a stroke last year, 90-year-old Bill Weber uses his walker to move through the Berkeley home he designed and has shared with his wife, Sandra, 89, since 1968. New railings and other modifications, along with physical therapy, helped him return home and continue living there.
TL;DR
- Aging in place is a goal for many seniors, with a majority hoping to stay in their homes and receive care there if needed.
- Physical limitations in the home, like navigating stairs or bathrooms, and insufficient support from others are major barriers to aging in place.
- Home modifications can range from simple installations like grab bars and brighter lighting to more complex solutions for stairs and doorways.
- Occupational therapists and geriatricians offer in-home safety assessments to identify necessary modifications.
- Costs for modifications can vary widely, from a few hundred dollars for simple changes to thousands for stair lifts or major renovations.
- Resources are available in the Bay Area to assist seniors with planning, home modifications, and accessing care services.