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The 2008 Kitchen/Bath Industry Outlook, published by the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) earlier this summer, identifies one of the 10 factors that will continue to drive kitchen and bath remodeling throughout this year and beyond—baby boomers who are aging themselves and caring for aging parents. Whether it's for themselves or their parents, baby boomers need to remodel kitchens and baths, making them more usable for those with limited mobility who wish to maintain their independence.

Keeping your bathroom safe
According to the National Safety Council, nearly 200,000 people are injured annually in their bathrooms, with the most common accidents occurring from slips, falls, and scalding with hot water. A well-designed or renovated bathroom can make it safer for you or a loved one to get around. Home modifications to a bathroom do not have to be costly. Here are some ways to keep a bathroom safe as suggested by the NKBA:

• Ensure that slip resistant flooring is used in all areas of the bathroom. Slip-resistant flooring materials help to eliminate many falls and reduce such risks.
• Eliminate steps leading into tub or shower areas. Try to surround a tub with a platform where you can sit down prior to entering or exiting the tub.
• Select shower doors carefully. Always use shatterproof glass in shower enclosures. Also, if the door is hinged, have it open into the room instead of into the shower. In the case of an emergency, this allows easy access into and out of the shower.
• Install proper faucets such as pressure-balanced and temperature-controlled valves in the bath and shower to prevent scalding. Also, install faucets in areas that are easily accessible from outside the tub or shower. Avoid having to stretch or reach for the water control.
• Add benches and grab bars. Installing them within shower enclosures and near the entrance of tubs greatly decreases the chance of accidental falls.
• Put in emergency shut-offs for whirlpool tubs. Make sure that the shut-off can be reached from both inside and outside the tub area to ensure maximum safety.
• Maintain safe distances between water sources and electrical switches. Use ground-fault circuit interrupters on electrical receptacles. They will shut off when a hazard, such as moisture, is sensed.

Keeping your kitchen safe
The kitchen has long been the hub of activity for many families and individuals. It has become an informal hangout, as well as a friendly place to eat, talk on the phone, cook (of course) or even just lounge around. It can also be the most dangerous room in the house. As with bathrooms, home modifications to kitchens do not have to be costly. The NKBA recommends several guidelines to keep your kitchen safe:

• Use proper lighting. Good general lighting, supplemented by proper task lighting that is clearly focused on a work surface, can greatly decrease your chances of injury while preparing a meal.
• Like in your bathroom, use slip-resistant flooring. A slip-resistant material on your floor, such as matte-finished wood or laminate, textured vinyl, or a soft-glazed ceramic tile, will do the trick. If you have tile, try using a throw rug with non-skid backing as an added precaution, especially around areas that get wet.
• Keep a fire extinguisher handy and visibly located near a room exit, but away from cooking equipment.
• Regulate water temperatures and devices. Install faucets with anti-scald devices that prevent water temperatures from rising to dangerous levels, or buy pressure-balanced valves that equalize hot and cold water. Faucets are also available that can be preprogrammed to your desired temperature settings.
• Keep electrical switches, plugs, and lighting fixtures away from water sources and wet hands.
• Finally, use the space safely. Place microwave ovens conveniently above the floor to avoid reaching to retrieve food. Slide-out trays and bins in base cabinets also make storage items more accessible and eliminate the need to bend.

Remember, Home Evolutions can assist you in making your bathroom and kitchen safer. After a careful analysis and assessment of your needs, a Home Evolutions’ Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) will customize a home modification plan that will allow you or a loved one to continue living independently and safely.

For more information, visit www.homeevolutions.com.