How to Prepare Your Ottawa Home for Aging in Place

Whether you have called Ottawa home for years or settled there to enjoy your retirement, aging in place can provide you with independence and a feeling of security. However, choosing to live unassisted is not without its dangers, especially if the home is not designed for aging or senior individuals. At Handyman Connection, we offer a variety of services when it comes to home repairs for seniors, adding improvements that assist your safety and well-being.

Grab Bar Installation 

While you may think of grab bars as being only for those with balance issues, they can assist you in a variety of ways. One in the shower can prevent slip-and-fall injuries, which may include:

• A fractured hip 

• Broken bones

• Brain or head trauma 

These injuries can prevent you from safely aging in place and lead to a serious decrease in mobility.

Another place to consider installing grab bars is in the bedroom. Even if you currently have little or no mobility problems, grab bars can help you maintain your balance as you get out of bed or dress. You can also benefit from bars in the hallway, as they could prevent or halt a fall.

Safer Flooring

For some seniors, rugs and other carpeting become rougher terrain as they age. If this sounds familiar, then call in our flooring professionals for the removal of old carpeting, hardwood floor installation, and other repair services in Ottawa that will keep you safe as you age.

As aging continues and mobility decreases, everyday objects like throw rugs or a small pile of clothing can pose a tripping hazard, but when it comes to flooring, even higher doorway thresholds can cause you to stumble or block a walking assistance device. Our carpenters can redesign your floors for you, lowering door thresholds and creating a smoother walking surface.

Ramp Installation 

If you struggle with joint pain as you age, then climbing stairs is likely difficult. Even with assistance, walking on stairs can greatly increase the risk of a bad fall. If you use a wheelchair to increase your current mobility, stairs present a serious challenge.

When you contact us, our carpenters will meet with you to discuss ramp installation that makes every door to your home fully accessible. We can customize the installation to your needs and provide grading recommendations to create the safest walking surface possible.

Small Kitchen and Bathroom Repairs 

Aging safely in place does not always include major senior home repairs. Even small repairs to the kitchen and bathroom can increase safety measures. Fixing loose or damaged kitchen drawers or replacing them with those that open with a touch keeps you safe as you cook, and lowering shower thresholds in the bathroom can prevent stumbling or tripping.

Exterior Senior Home Repairs 

Creating safety measures on the outside of your home is just as important as creating a safe space inside. This includes the installation of new lighting that improves the visibility of surfaces at nighttime and motion-sensor exterior lamps that do not require manual lighting. Motion sensor lights can also alert you to the presence of someone outside your home or cause them to flee when light hits their faces.

At Handyman Connection, our repair professionals can inspect your home and advise you about the location and wattage of any lights that can help assist you when you return to your home after sunset.

Reach Out Today 

Aging in place in Ottawa can make your golden years a pleasure, but only if you create a safe home that helps you maintain your independence. Contact us today at Handyman Connection for a an estimate so we can transform your home into a safe haven as you grow older.