Innovative Building and Remodeling Solutions
for Independent Living

Videos Raises Awareness of How to Make Your Home Safer As You Age

Last month, Home Evolutions, one of the leading companies in the Aging-in-Place movement, was prominently featured in a series of AARP’s Aging-in-Place videos on its Web site.

The 3-part series of short video clips showcases Ross and Anna, a couple in their 70s who are making changes to their home so they can age in place. AARP invited Harry Burns, the founder and president of Home Evolutions, and Patricia Nunan, CEO of Philadelphia-based Lifestyles Design, to visit the home of this couple to make some simple kitchen, bathroom, and home interior/exterior fixes at low-to-no cost.

“Seniors should start thinking about making these changes in a home now before they lose their independence,” says Harry. “A properly modified home will allow a senior to live in a safe, comfortable home environment while maintaining their independence and quality of life.”

In the Kitchen Makeover Video, these aging-in-place specialists made simple changes to the kitchen for a price tag of under $235, including the installation of:

• Cabinet and drawer pulls
• Organizing bins for medication
• Three under-cabinet lights
• Wind-up timer
• Fire extinguisher
• Silicone pot holders and trivets
• Auto shut-off electric teapot

In the Bathroom Makeover Video, Burns and Nunan installed these items in the bathroom to make it safe:

• Two grab bars for the bathtub
• One portable grab bar
• Non-slip textured strips for the bathtub
• Handheld shower head with glide bar
• Anti-scald lever shower control
• Single lever handle faucet

Including the services of a handyman for 4 hours of his time, the total cost for these minor modifications was $609.

“We always pay close attention to the bathrooms because there are over 200,000 injuries a year in a bathroom, a majority occurring among the senior population,” says Harry. “Even with a limited budget, you can still make many minor changes that can decrease the incidence of accidents and injuries.”

Another video showcased safety additions to the interior and exterior of the home, such as the adding of hand rails, lever handle door knobs, and step stool.

“Anyone can continue to stay in their own home comfortably and safely as they age and avoid going to an institution by making these slight modifications,” Harry says.

These three videos can now be accessed from Home Evolutions' Web site.