safer homes for people with disabilities - 16 easy, affordable ways by NJIT expert

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Medical News Today 03 Feb 2005

NJIT expert recommends 16 easy, affordable ways to make homes safer for people

with disabilities

Environmental psychologist Olsen, PhD, a research professor at New

Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), has developed 16 easy and affordable ways

people can make their homes safer and more comfortable. The information may help

baby boomers planning retirement homes. Olsen regularly studies ways to improve

living environments for the aging and people with disabilities and Alzheimer's

disease.

" Our studies consistently illustrate that with several simple, relatively

inexpensive modifications such as reorganizing the kitchen cabinets or

installing anti-skid strips on the stair tread, people can create safer and more

comfortable living environments, " said Olsen who also directs the health and

aging division at NJIT's Center for Architecture and Building Science Research.

These ideas emerged from two current projects. One, funded by the Health Care

Foundation of New Jersey, consisted of 25 interviews and assessments of

low-income, older individuals caring for a family member with dementia or

grandchildren. The researchers then implemented a series of low cost home

modifications.

The Administration on Developmental Disabilities of the U.S. Department of

Health and Human Services funded the other project. Researchers assessed the

abilities and homes of 80 older people with intellectual disabilities.

Recommendations from these studies include the following:

Double railings: If your home has stairs, install a second set of railings. " The

other railing offers more support to climb up and down plus allows some people

the important opportunity to use their dominant hand, " Olsen said.

Grab bars: Install grab bars in and around the tub. The bars enable people to

climb into the tub or shower more easily.

Shower and tub seats: A seat in the bathtub enables someone to sit up in the tub

rather than pulling herself up from tub floor. In a shower, these seats work

well, so that no one has to stand and lose their balance.

Hand held shower head: An individual can sit in the tub/shower and wash himself

or the caregiver can wash him more easily.

Raised toilet seats and grab bars at toilet: " These are inexpensive and they

really can help someone get on and off the toilet, " said Olsen. " Many people

tend to grab a built-in paper dispenser for help, but this is dangerous. They

are not grab bars and can pull out of the wall. "

Good lighting at stairs: Sufficient lighting at both the top and bottom of a

stairwell is important. " Any place you are making a transition from one level to

another should be well lit, " said Olsen.

Anti-skid strips on the stair tread: Strips available at hardware or home

improvement stores prevent slips and falls. They also highlight the edge of the

stair tread.

Re-organize kitchen cabinets: Frequently used items should be within easy reach

so that no has to reach, bend over or, worst of all, use a step stool. The goal

is to prevent anyone from losing his balance.

Light switches at room entries: Sounds simple, but make sure every room of the

house has a light switch adjacent to or near the entry. " It is easy to lose your

balance or trip over something when you are walking through a dark room to turn

on the light, " said Olsen. Eliminate thresholds between rooms: Again, threshold

represent another tripping hazard.

Install threshold or mini ramps: For easier wheelchair access at high thresholds

on exterior doors install a threshold or mini ramp, which will make it much

easier to get a wheelchair through the door.

Lower closet pole and shelves: It's easier to access clothing if the poles and

shelves are within easy reach.

Keep washer and dryers on the main level: A good idea to keep in mind if you are

building a new property.

Get rid of throw rugs: " At times throw rugs can be a real problem, " Olsen said.

Clean up clutter: This is obvious, the less things people have to take care of,

the easier it is for them to function.

Olsen often lectures about how people can create better living environments for

children with disabilities and people with Alzheimer's disease. Olsen's two

texts, both supported by the Wood Foundation, Princeton, are

filled with good advice--ranging from ways to make kitchens safer to how best to

talk an upset person. The books are A House For All Children, Planning a

Supportive Home Environment for Children With Disabilities (2000, NJIT Press)

and Alzheimer's and Related Dementias Homes That Help, Advice From Caregivers

For Creating a Supportive Home (1993, NJIT Press). Olsen has produced a video,

also called A House for All Children, describing how six New Jersey families

altered their homes to make them more suitable for people with disabilities.