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ot aging in place Cheat Sheet (DRAFT) by

how can we help older adults age in place

This is a draft cheat sheet. It is a work in progress and is not finished yet.

definition

Aging in Place is the idea that an elderly person will be able to live in the residence of his or her choice for as long as possible
must be able to
have needs met and maintain QoL
 

continue to live at home

decreased mobility - possible need to use a cane, walker or w/c
-Widen doorways to accomm­odate a walker or wheelc­hair. -Add a ramp to one entryway of the home. -Raise sunken living room or sunken den floors to make the floor of the home one level. -Install chair lifts for second story or basement stairs. -Remove throw rugs. -Remove unnece­ssary furniture and clutter. -Provide chairs with firm support and/or place chairs on risers. -Install a raised toilet seat or a tall toilet. -Install a hand held shower and provide a shower stool or bath bench. -Install grab bars in the bathroom, near the bed, and near the entry ways.
reduced vision, including visual impairment due to cataracts, glaucoma, MD or diabetic reniopathy
-Increase lighting by installing brighter LED light bulbs, additional light fixtures, or additional lamps. -Increase contrast on floors, walkways and steps.   -contrast dark rugs or mats on light floors, light rugs or mats on dark floors.   -place contra­sting tape on the edges of steps. -Keep needed items in the same places for easy access.   -frequ­ently used kitchen items between chest and head height. -keep items where they are used. -Provide large button electronic and commun­ication devices. -large button telephone   -large button television remote -Use magnifiers -Adjust settings on computers to enlarge print and increase contrast. -Mark stove dials, water faucet handles with raised dots to mark temper­atures.
hearing loss
-Increase the volume on telephone settings, doorbell, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. -Replace old smoke and carbon monoxide alarms with alarms that include flashing lights. -Use telephones and alarm clocks that include flashing lights. -Provide an alarm clock that includes a bed shaker. -Sign up for telephone TTY service if hearing impairment is severe
decreased neck and upper body range of motion
-Rearrange kitchen and bathroom cupboard so that frequently used items are placed between waist and head height. -Provide a reacher for higher or lower shelves. -Use long handled bathing and grooming tools – long handled sponge, long handled comb. -Place grab rails on the bed to assist with bed mobility. -Use long handled tools for gardening and yard work
decreased strength and endurance
-Slide heavy objects along counte­rtops, tables, or the floor rather than lifting. -Use a wheeled cart to transport heavy objects. -Place chairs or benches in strategic places around the house or yard to provide frequent rest spots. -Provide an electric or large handled manual jar opener. -Replace round door knobs with lever style door handles. -Request that prescr­iption medica­tions be placed in prescr­iption bottles with regular caps rather than child proof caps.
decreased reaction time and declining cognitive skills
Provide a white board or large calendar to write down important dates and appoin­tments. -Use a white board or pad of paper to write a daily to do list. -Place medica­tions in a weekly pill organizer. -Set alarm reminders for medication and meal times. -Provide prepac­kaged meals that can be easily heated in a microwave. -Set the hot water heater temper­ature to 120 degrees or lower to prevent accidental burns. -Label cupboards, closets, and drawers with the contents. -Organize clothing into outfits that may be easily obtained and put on. -Place written safety reminders near the stove, coffee maker, and any other devices that might be accide­ntally left on.