Nailing It Down
By Dave Murnen and Pat Beaty
Sometimes it can be the littlest things that make a world of difference. That certainly can be true when making home a safe place to continue living as we grow older.
Getting rid of a throw rug, adding a grab bar and installing an outside light are just a few of the things that can prevent falls, saving a lot of pain, hassle and money. We are going to enumerate more of those practical improvements today, but first we will review a little from last week.
In that column, we talked with Kathy Jones, an information specialist at the Aberdeen office of the Olympic Area Agency on Aging. She gave us lots of good information about how changes in the physical environment of the home can often transform it into a truly viable option for people to live in safely as they age.
A great source of information and details about a variety of programs such as the Medicaid in-home care program called COPES and a newer program called Tailored Support for Older Adults, O3A also provides some information on the USDA Rural loans and grants available, and even has a fund itself for minor home repairs.
The Aberdeen office of O3A can be reached at 360-532-0520.
In addition to Kathy, we spoke last week with Michael Bradrick, owner of Live at Home on Your Own, a Montesano-area construction company, who gave great tips about a variety of helpful, independence-giving changes in a home, from replacing bathtubs to installing new grab bars — or even newly designed towel bars, toilet paper holders, soap dishes and shampoo trays that can provide 250 to 500 pounds of support!
This week we will share more information from Kevin Holt Sr. of the Kevin Holt Company of Ocean Shores, who also specializes in this kind of home projects.
“Our sole goal is to keep everyone in their home as long as absolutely possible,” said Kevin. “That includes creating adaptions for getting in and out of the home, as well as adaptions for getting around inside the home.”
Both he and Michael say when it comes to ramps, they prefer using the metal ones that are better suited to our weather and can be easily transferred to a new residence.
Often it’s friends or relatives of an older person who initiate a careful look around a home. A good place to start, the experts agree, is making sure that clutter and other tripping hazards are minimized.
“We take a look to see that hallways are clear and look at the thresholds of rooms and where the carpets stop and start,” Kevin said. “Sometimes we end up installing a handrail in the hall all the way to a bedroom.”
One simple fix in the bathroom is to either install a toilet seat adapter to add height, or completely replace a shorter toilet in favor of the “comfort” height that makes it easier for just about anyone to use.
Another relatively inexpensive change is to install grab poles near a bed or favorite chair, Kevin said, to give the homeowner an aid to getting in and out of it.
“Also, sometimes beds and couches need to be raised or lowered,” he said. “You can buy a recliner that can rise slowly and actually bring you up to a standing position.”
Sometimes, to accommodate wheelchairs or walkers, a home’s entryway will need a little remodel or a bathroom doorway will need to be enlarged. The fix can be as easy as gaining a few inches by replacing a door with one that has hinges that allow it to open wider.
Being able to shower or bathe safely and with as much independence as possible makes a huge difference in someone’s life, Kevin said.
“I remember one case of a gentleman who literally hadn’t showered for months. He had a tub he couldn’t get into,” he said. “I replaced it with a barrier-free shower. A few weeks later when I went to see how it was working for him, I was met by a totally different person who opened the door! … That was a life-changing experience for him and for me, just to see what a difference an accessible shower could make.”
SPRING CLEANUP
Hey, Aberdonians: Spring Cleanup is coming your way soon. As you tidy up around your house, garage and environs, keep in mind that you will have a free dump day at the LeMay Transfer Station during April. We will have more details about the Aberdeen Spring Cleanup as well as other areas cleanups in next week’s column.
Dave Murnen and Pat Beaty are construction specialists at NeighborWorks of Grays Harbor County, where Murnen is executive director. This is a nonprofit organization committed to creating safe and affordable housing for all residents of Grays Harbor County. For questions about home repair, renting, remodeling or buying, call 360-533-7828 or visit 710 E. Market St. in Aberdeen. Our office is fully ADA-compliant.
