Safety, Lighting and Storage
By AARP.org,Publication Date: 2008
Web document offers advice for making a home safer and more accessible for older people. Specific tips are given for the following areas: (1) Closets, including installation of accessible-height clothing rods, organizers, and reachable light switches; (2) Electrical outlets, including moving outlets about 27 inches off the floor and installing rocker light switches which are easier to flip than conventional switches; (3) Laundry rooms, including moving the appliances out of the basement into the first floor, choosing an easily-accessible front-load washer, raising appliances to reachable height on a platform, and using a rolling cart to sort clothes; (4) Lighting, including adding more lighting fixtures, increasing light-bulb wattage, ensuring outside walkways and entrances are clearly lit, installing a light switch at the top and bottom of each staircase, mounting lights under kitchen cabinets, adding night lights, and using three-way bulbs so each family member can select the right amount of light; and (5) Smoke detectors, including choosing a battery- or electric-current run model, opting for an aural or visual (strobe-light) alarm, and placement, care and maintenance of units. Each section includes a list of AARP and other resources. A checklist is also included to help individuals decide on universal-design changes to make a home accessible and safer to use.
Published by: AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) (Website:http://www.aarp.org)
Link to text: http://www.aarp.org/life/homedesign/safety/
