How people with limited mobility can more easily get home deliveries
Before refrigeration became common, from the late 1800s to 1950, milk and eggs were delivered to little “milk doors” on the side of the house that opened to a box inside the house where the homeowner could retrieve it. So I thought that something similar could be made for deliveries from UPS, DoorDash, etc. So I made a mock-up of one and an AI video. It would allow a person living alone to get their packages inside at a custom level so that people,even in wheelchairs, could independently get their delivered items. This will require buy-in from the delivery companies.
New housing that gets state or federal grants is required to include some units that have accessibility enhancements. Hopefully, I can get such a delivery portal included in one of those enhancements. Retrofitting something like this, other than in a window, if more difficult than including it in the original design and construction. And such modifications should qualify for Livable Homes Tax Credits. See #1 story below.
Tax Credits can help to pay for permanent home modifications
1. Things like ramps, widened doors, accessible bathrooms, and related features. These state programs vary in terms of eligibility, credit limits, and qualifying modifications, but the concept is broadly comparable. Here are states with such programs:
Virginia: Livable Home Tax Credit for up to $6,500, covering accessibility improvements for new and existing homes. Tax credits may be used for 7 years.
Maryland: Independent Living Tax Credit for up to $5,000, covering 50% of home accessibility renovation costs.
Maine: AccessAble Home Tax Credit for up to $9,000, based on income and qualified expenditures for accessibility improvements.
Missouri: Residential Dwelling Accessibility Tax Credit for up to $2,500 for accessibility modifications to homes of residents with disabilities.
Colorado: Home Modification Tax Credit for up to $5,000 for accessible home modifications for persons with disabilities, available through 2028.
New York: Residential Accessibility Modification Credit, typically 10% of qualifying costs up to a set maximum for accessibility modifications.
Kansas: Disabled Access Tax Credit for making a home accessible for individuals with disabilities, amount varies, maximum up to $9,000 based on income.
Louisiana: Accessible and Barrier-Free Tax Credit for new and some existing homes with accessibility features for residents with disabilities.
Other states may have loan programs, grants, or indirect assistance
Why lighting is so important for fall prevention
2. Better lighting is crucial for fall prevention, particularly for older adults, because it enhances visibility and reduces the risk of tripping or misjudging obstacles. Poor lighting can create shadows that distort the environment, making it difficult to perceive hazards like steps or clutter.
- Adequate lighting allows individuals to see their surroundings clearly, including potential hazards like stairs, rugs, or furniture edges.
- Proper lighting helps individuals accurately judge distances and heights, reducing the risk of missteps on uneven surfaces or stairs.
- Good lighting makes it easier to spot potential dangers like loose carpet edges or clutter on the floor, allowing individuals to take necessary precautions.
- Poor lighting can create shadows that obscure obstacles or make them appear as something they are not, leading to trips and falls.
- Well-lit environments can reduce fear of falling, allowing individuals to maintain an active lifestyle and participate in daily activities.
By ensuring adequate lighting throughout the home, particularly in high-risk areas like hallways, stairs, and bathrooms, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of falls.
Kiplinger newsletter on how better lighting can reduce fall risks
Preventing falls when getting up in the middle of the night
3. It’s of particular risk because a person is naturally a little groggy. If they normally wear glasses, they probably won’t put them on just to go to the bathroom. If there is some urgency, that can make you rush. Groggy and rushing is a bad combination. Be sure that the pathway to the bathroom is clear before going to bed. Nightlights help, but a brighter battery-operated motion-detector light provides brighter light that only stays on for the few minutes you’re up. Having a small flashlight on the bedside table can help. Lighting is your friend.
Ten tips for avoiding nighttime falls.
Wireless-controlled thermostats
4. What once was within easy reach is too high for someone in a wheelchair or has some other mobility challenges is the standard thermostat that can control both heat and AC. Moving the control panel can be complex and involve replacing and repainting drywall. A better alternative is usually replacing the thermostat with a wifi model that can even be controlled wirelessly from a phone or a remote from another room.
Here are some prices for wifi thermostats.
Ten Ways to Design a Kitchen for Aging in Place
5. Aging in place isn’t all about safety. Convenience and making things easier is a key element. A few features are drawers that pull out, rather than doors that open to dark cabinets that are hard to reach. Pull-out baskets from shelves. Faucets that are easy to operate, even wireless ones like in many public bathrooms. Countertop-high microwaves rather than ones installed higher. Read more here.
The safest floors to prevent falls
6. The safest floors for aging in place include rubber, cork, luxury vinyl, and low-pile carpet, all chosen for their slip resistance, shock absorption, and compatibility with mobility aids. Rubber is excellent for wet areas and high-traffic zones due to its superior non-slip properties and cushioning. Cork offers a natural, soft, and sound-absorbent option, while luxury vinyl is a durable, water-resistant choice that can mimic wood or stone, providing a smooth surface. Low-pile carpet offers comfort and cushioning in bedrooms and living areas but requires more maintenance.
More here on safest floors for seniors.
Moving to a new home but want to take your shrubs or plants?
7. While we can easily take photos, paintings and other mementos to our new place, there is nothing quite like that rosebush, Black-eyed Susan, or boxwood to give you living memories of your old place. It can take some planning but the easier ones like Black-eyed Susans can be dug up and divided in the fall and planted the next Spring. Small bushes can be cut back and dug up and potted up or wrapped in burlap. Bulbs can be dug up if you know where they are. And some shrubs and roses can be propagated from cuttings, although time of the year can be crucial. For the best information, simply Google “How to propagate (your plant)” or ask your local extension agent or someone from the local Master Gardener program.
Safer Stairways: Reducing Fall Risks for Older Adults
8. For elderly individuals, carrying things up and down stairs significantly increases the risk of falls. Falling down a stairs can cause a much worse injury than falling on level ground. Ideally, those who are at a fall risk have hands on both railings. Even carrying small objects like a book shifts a person’s center of gravity. A light object like an empty laundry basket blocks a clear view of the steps. Descending stairs is more risky than ascending.
Ensure all carpets are firmly secured and add non-slip strips to bare wood or tile stairs. Encourage wearing well-fitting, supportive shoes with good grip and avoiding socks or slippery footwear. Adequate lighting is especially important on stairs. Light switches at top and bottom are best. But the addition of a motion detector light ensures at least some light if you don’t hit the switch.
Dumbwaiters that carried small objects between floors used to be more common but are making something of a comeback. But retrofitting one in an existing home can be tens of thousands. A far cheaper solution might be an electric winch system which can be a few hundred. I once made a system for a person that had difficulty on stairs that simply involved a pulley, rope, and a basket that he could use to lift a few books or other small objects up the stairs. But a winch or pulley system only works when there is open space next to the stairs.