Designing a Fall-Proof Home for Aging-in-Place

Falls rank among the top worries that older adults face in daily life, and not without reason. Falls are a leading cause of injury and death among older adults, and adults who are injured in a fall may never regain the level of functioning they had before falling.

The best response to a fear of falling isn’t avoiding activities that pose a risk, however. Rather than limiting themselves, seniors should design home plans that minimize fall risk so they can enjoy maximum independence as they age.

Front rendering of The Griffin house plan 535. This is a Fall-proof home.

Home Design Features that Prevent Falls

Luckily for seniors, many of the home features that support fall-proof aging complement housing trends: bright, open spaces; attached garage parking; and low-maintenance exteriors are easy to find among the current housing stock. These are the other features seniors need for a fall-proof home:

  • Step-free design: A one-story home with a sloping entrance is both contemporary and accessible. Alternatively, seniors can purchase a multi-story home with framing for a home elevator.
  • Wide doorways and hallways: Narrow spaces are more challenging to light, while wide doorways and hallways provide room for mobility aids like walkers and wheelchairs.
  • Accessible bathrooms: Ample floor space, roll-in showers, grab bar framing, and fixtures that contrast with wall colors accommodate mobility and vision changes in the bathroom.
  • Smooth, cushioned flooring: Plush carpeting poses a trip hazard, while hard ceramic or stone floors increase the risk of serious injury in a fall. Opt for hardwood, cork, low-pile carpet, or luxury vinyl instead.
  • Modern kitchens: Elevated ovens, under-counter lighting, roll-under sinks, and drawers as lower cabinets not only give kitchens a chef-quality feel, they also make cooking easier as mobility changes. Include a seated workspace and slip-resistant floors for maximum accessibility.
Front rendering of The Jasmine house plan 509.

Affording an Aging-Friendly Home

Aging in a senior’s current home may require a large investment in aging-in-place remodeling in order to achieve a fall-proof home. Most remodeling seniors tap into home equity in order to pay for modifications, although some seniors may qualify for grants through the USDA or Department of Veteran Affairs.

Depending on the resale value of their home and local housing prices, it may be more affordable and less hassle to buy a new home rather than remodel. Fully-accessible homes are hard to find, but seniors can work with builders versed in Universal Design to construct a home that suits their tastes and accessibility needs.

Medicare offers some support to seniors who want to age in place. Under its Durable Medical Equipment coverage, Medicare covers mobility aids including canes, walkers, wheelchairs, and scooters for qualified seniors. Although Medicare Part B doesn’t cover grab bars, some Medicare Advantage plans may cover grab bars beginning in 2019. Seniors should check to see if their plan covers this benefit.

Front rendering of The Ashbry house plan 1506.

More Fall-Prevention Strategies for Seniors

A safe home is the beginning, but it’s not all that seniors need to prevent falls as they age. In addition to buying or modifying a home, seniors should engage in regular exercise to maintain lower-body strength and range of motion; avoid clutter, loose cables, and other trip hazards in the home; and talk to their doctor before changing their medication regimen, including over-the-counter medications. If a senior has suffered a fall or is at a high risk for one, home-based healthcare can help them stay at home rather than moving into a care facility.

Maintaining independence is a top priority for older adults. However, without taking the proper steps to avoid falls, seniors may find themselves in a nursing home or assisted living facility despite their ambitions. Preventing falls through housing and lifestyle changes is the smartest thing seniors can do to ensure they age the way they want.

6 comments on “Designing a Fall-Proof Home for Aging-in-Place

  1. Glenn Weston-Murphy on

    Why do you show 2 of 3 homes with front steps for aging in place when no steps is your stated objective?

    Reply
    • Echo Jones on

      Hi Glenn! We do not have many renderings that show a step-free entry. These details are not structural so they can be determined by the homeowner and builder during the construction process to best meet their needs.

      Reply
  2. Bill Johnson on

    Excellent article and tips, but one thing you didn’t mention is the pitfalls of a poured, or slab, floor. I completely understand the value this type of construction, but falling on a slab floor is much more traumatizing to aging, frail bones. One doesn’t bounce when falling on a concrete floor, compared to a fall on a floor built up over a crawl space!

    I am a registered nurse. My brother-in-law sustained a vicious closed-head injury when falling on his concrete floor. Ever since then I’ve believed seniors need to consider the dangers of this type of construction.

    Reply

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