Download your free home adaptation checklist
FREE Home adaptation checklist for the Elderly.
Adaptating a home for safer independent living in old age can feel like a daunting task . Where do you begin? Upgrades following an adaptation assessment improve the comfort and safety of your home and can help maintain a level of independence in older age.
This easy-to-use home adaptation checklist is specially designed for senior homeowners who wish to “age in place” in their residences and want to make their homes safer and avoid unnecessary accidents.
This checklist is designed to give practical advice and can also help start a discussion around home adaptations and can be the catalyst for applying for home adaptation grants now available on a means tested basis for Irish Seniors.
Why we designed this home adaptation checklist for Irish seniors?
Most Irish houses and apartments are designed for young, able-bodied adults and don’t meet the needs of older residents or people with disabilities. According to a recent artile published by TILDA only 13% of Irish houses and apartments are appropriate for age friendly living.
This checklist highlights common exterior and interior components that may require modification . Ageing in Place Ireland can assist homeowners in prioritising, planning and budgeting appropriately for any necessary upgrades, both short-term and long-term.
How to use the home adaptation checklist?
As mentioned above the checklist is designed to be easy to use and takes you through your home form outside to inside and then room by room . The home adaptation checklist aims to question the critical areas of the home and will get you to think about how you interact with these areas . There are no right or wrong answers only suggestions and ideas.
At the back of the checklist we have created some space where you can list out the immediate , short term and long term adaptations that you need.
When to use the home adaptation checklist ?
None of us like getting old. As we grow older we all experience some decline in our physical capabilities , be it our eye sight , our hearing or our balance. Many of us struggle with aspects of the home such as stairs, bathrooms and the kitchen. Fortunately there are many steps that we can take to overcome these obstacles.
If you or someone youcare for is starting to struggle with aspects of the home the home adaptation checklist can help you start to think about how you can over come these problems. The checklist is also a great way of startting the conversation with someone you care for as it has both practical and easy modifications (lighting and rugs) that can be applied as well as more complex adaptations such bathroom adaptations.
Some clients will fill in the checklist in advance of a visit to their family GP and others have used this checklist when considering applying for home adaptation grant as a means to identifying the priorities.
I have completed the hame adaptation checklist , what next?
Once the checklist has been completed and the priorities listed you may want to explore the options of having these adaptations costed so that you an plan for their completion. You may also wish to look into the grants and supports now available for home adaptations such as grab rails, stairlifts, assistep , bathroom modifications and other mobility products.
