HOPKINS, Minn., May 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- What homeowner,
young or old, isn't interested in affordable and functional home
improvements that can be enjoyed for years to come? For one of
America's largest and fastest growing demographic groups – seniors
65 and older – well-thought-out additions or upgrades aren't just
cosmetic or feel-good projects, they are necessary for continued
comfort and safety.
Aging in place, or modifying your home to better accommodate
changing needs, can be a major undertaking. Building entrance and
access ramps, widening entrance and doorways, adding a first-floor
bedroom and bath, and other structural accommodations can be
costly. But many other options that add both convenience and safety
don't require major expenditures.
Installing grab bars in baths and bedrooms to help with standing
and balance, switching to lever-handled doorknobs, lowering
electrical switches and raising electrical outlets are among the
most frequently completed non-budget busting projects, according to
the 2015 "Aging in Place Survey Report" from HomeAdvisor.
Replacing slippery tile or vinyl flooring with slip-resistant
surfaces is also a must as falls are among the leading cause of
injury to seniors.
Adequate lighting is also an important health and safety
consideration for seniors, since vision changes rapidly in our
later years. Universal Design guidelines call for increasing both
task lighting and general room illumination as we age. Research
published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology suggests that
natural light may be better for aging eyes than artificial
light.
The health benefits of natural light are well documented, from
boosting your body's ability to produce vitamin D to
helping improve mood and fight seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Natural light also enhances virtually any decor, while helping
reduce dependence on artificial light and lowering electricity
bills.
And indoor air quality, according to an EPA study, can be worse
than the air outside your home, and many people spend as much as
90 percent of their time indoors. Poor indoor air quality
has been linked to respiratory problems, eye irritation, headaches
and even depression.
Adding skylights is one of the easiest, most cost-effective ways
to achieve balanced, glare-free natural light, as well as passive
ventilation, in virtually any space. Energy Star-qualified,
solar-powered, fresh-air skylights, like those from Velux America,
bring homeowners the health and functional benefits of enhanced
natural light and fresh air at an affordable price. Further
enhance the energy efficiency and aesthetic appeal of
skylights by adding solar-powered blinds in designer colors and
patterns. The skylights, which close automatically in case of rain,
and blinds, are operated by a programmable remote control. Both
products, plus the installation costs, are eligible for a 30
percent federal tax credit. Learn more
at www.whyskylights.com.
Other options that address functionality and living safely,
independently and comfortably include home automation systems and
Smart Home technologies, security systems, in-home health and
activity monitoring to detect falls, and cell phone apps that
control thermostats, lighting and other systems in the home.
Additional resources are available at the HomeAdvisor "Aging in
Place" site.
When is the best time to plan for a long life as a senior?
Marty Bell, executive director of
the National Aging in Place Council, sums it up nicely in the 2015
report:
"Too many of us wait until we reach a health or financial crisis
to plan for getting older. We plan our careers, we plan to send our
children to college, we plan our vacations, but we don't plan to
age. And yet the evidence is there that those who do accept they
are going to get older, and make plans in advance, have a
considerably better later life."
Contact information: BrandpointContent.com
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160526/372570
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151218/297198LOGO
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/reasonably-priced-home-improvements-for-now-and-later-by-brandpoint-300275564.html
SOURCE Brandpoint