Whether you are a caregiver for the elderly or the child of an aging parent, there comes a time where seniors home needs change. And unfortunately, this means that their home may no longer be suited for them. While assisted living facilities and nursing homes are great options for seniors, it’s not always the most sought after living situation. In fact, a study by AARP found that 90% of the aging population wants to stay in their home for as long as they can.

To help them achieve this goal, home modifications may be required to help them get around easier and maintain their independence. And, while home modifications may seem costly, there are a lot of updates you can make without breaking the bank. Even for seniors with specific health issues or ailments, there are low-cost upgrades that can be added in throughout the home that greatly increase their quality of life.

If you plan to take the DIY approach to get your parents (or patients) home better suited for their new way of life, Hippo has got your back. Their home protection team put together a complete guide to home remodeling for seniors. Check out their expert tips below!

Home Upgrades For All

While many home updates Hippo recommends caters to a specific need, there are some things anyone can do to make a home more senior-friendly. First, you’ll want to focus on helping seniors communicate easier. This means installing more phones, smart speakers, and even video doorbells throughout their home so that they can communicate with others without having to worry about moving around too much.

Other quick fixes such as adding in brighter watt light bulbs and updating door handles to make it easier for them to get around can be done by even the most novice home repairman. You should also consider doing a deep cleaning every few months to get rid of excess clutter and prevent illness from allergen buildup.

Making Home More Mobile

A common physical ailment seen in the elderly is trouble with mobility, making homes with stairs or a complicated layout that much more difficult to use. Similarly, slips and falls become much more common (and dangerous) in high-risk areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and stairways. To help prevent any broken hips or other injuries, adding in grab bars and additional lighting can be a major help.

You should also consider installing a ramp or lift if stairs become an issue to climb every day or pull-down shelves in the kitchen for hard to reach items. This will help ensure they don’t injure themselves trying to grab something that is too high up for them. Lastly, their shower or tub can be modified with a walk-in door or stool added in to make getting in and out easier (not to mention prevent falls).

With seniors (and the rest of the world) staying home more than ever before, now is a great time to tackle much-needed home repairs. Not only will they make senior’s lives easier, but these updates will help you too as they will rely on you less for assistance. And while some repairs are better left to the professionals, many on Hippo’s list are perfect for those who are used to rolling up their sleeves and doing the hard work themselves. Do you have a senior in your life with other issues such as memory, hearing, or vision loss? Hippo’s covered all those and more on their blog. Go check it out and happy DIY-ing!