In 2005, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that 19 percent of men and 38 percent of women over the age of 65 lived alone. As an increasing percentage of the population lives longer and longer, senior citizens and their children have some significant decisions to make.  One of the most important is how long can these elder adults continue to live safely in their homes? In other words, how long can they age in place?
Monday marks the beginning of National Aging in Place week. Organized by the National Aging In Place Council, National Aging In Place Week, has two objectives.  
The first is to build coalitions between business professionals and mature homeowners who want to stay in their homes as long as possible.  The second is to share information on what seniors can do to successfully age in place.  
If you’re an aging homeowner and wish to stay in your familiar surroundings for as long as possible, National Aging in Place Week is a good time for you evaluate your home.  Walk inside and outside the home if you’re able or ask someone to do it for you.  As the home is being inspected, keep these questions in mind.
Are there numerous stairs you have to go up to the main entry of the house?  Is the exterior lighting inadequate?  Are you having troubles getting around inside the house and struggling to climb the stair to your bedroom? Do you struggle to get into the shower or get up from the commode?  Could your doorways accommodate a walker?  
If you answer yes to any of these questions, there are several upgrades you can make to your house to make it more accessible. You may want to consider adding railings throughout the house, installing a chair lift to your second floor or moving your bedroom to the first floor.  Other home improvements to think about are installing bench seating and grab bars in your shower, adjusting the commode height, widening doors to have room for walkers and/or wheelchairs, and improving lighting throughout the interior and exterior of the home.
Making the effort now to ensure that a home is conducive to an elder adult’s changing needs can help ensure the golden years are happy years of aging in place.

Pete Loy is the president of Citadel Enterprises, a design/build home remodeling company in Mount Pleasant.  The company provides remodeling, repair and design/build services with an emphasis on trust, service and neatness for the client.  Citadel Enterprises is a state registered Architectural firm.