What should caretakers in Buffalo know about accidental falls?
It only takes one unfortunate accident to cause catastrophic injury or worse, so you have to be vigilant about identifying and removing potential fall risks. Some of the most common offenders include debris on the floor, steep stairs, and dimly-lit areas that prevent seniors from seeing where they are going. The following information from the CDC reveals how common fatal falls are:
While it’s encouraging that the fatal fall rate is significantly lower in New York than the nation as a whole, that doesn’t mean that you can afford to rest on your laurels. New York fares better in part because concerned relatives like you are proactively mitigating fall risk through a Buffalo bathroom remodel for seniors or another accessibility construction project.
What are some concerns that accessibility construction in Buffalo can address?
While fall mitigation is a great reason to invest in Buffalo aging in place remodeling, it is far from the only one. Many seniors also look to accessibility construction to give them more freedom in their home. Some of the most common benefits of aging in place construction are shown below:
Aging in place construction can address:
- Safety
- Wide, well-lit path or ramp to the front door to prevent falls
- Anti-scald controls to prevent burns
- Grab bars in the bathroom to provide support when maneuvering in hazardous places
- Accessibility
- Wheelchair-friendly wide hallways and doorways for maneuverability
- Curbless shower with a seat to make showering easier
- Secure handrails and increased visibility to aid in ascending and descending stairs
Of course, that’s only a partial list and virtually any project that would make your loved one feel safer or promote accessibility qualifies as aging in place construction. If you aren’t sure what types of projects to consider, you can invite a contractor to your loved one’s home to discuss potential risks and how they might be addressed.
How do I find the best accessibility construction in Buffalo?
Choosing the right contractor is often the difference between a smooth construction project that improves your older adult’s quality of life and a fiasco that never seems to end. Finding a great contractor for your loved one entails some research. The first step is making sure that any prospective contractor is licensed and insured in New York State so that you and your loved one are covered should anything go awry. Next, we recommend verifying each contractor’s expertise in aging-in-place construction. Members of the National Association of Home Builders are generally up-to-date with the latest construction trends, while some contractors go out of their way to become Certified Aging in Place Specialists (CAPS) to better help seniors with their accessibility needs.
The final step is an interview with you and your loved one to see if you get along with the contractor. If they don’t treat you with the respect you deserve, choose someone else. Our comprehensive guide to aging in place construction projects provides additional information in one convenient location.
Home remodeling for seniors in Buffalo
Aging in place is gaining popularity, meaning that more seniors are living at home than ever before. These older adults often live alone, so making their house as safe and accessible for them as possible is of paramount importance. Seasons makes it easy to start researching local contractors for your loved one, so please use the information we provide to help your loved one age with grace.
