Aging in Place

Preserving the Independence of Senior Homeowners

A few quick population stats for you to put things in perspective: Relatively speaking, we have a high proportion of senior residents living amongst us here in Mohave County. According to the U.S. census, approximately 21% of the population of Mohave County is age 65 or over, compared to a national average of about 12%. The median age of Lake Havasu City is about 48 years, compared to a national average of about 35. Needless to say, seniors love to call the Tri-State area home, and it’s no surprise. Peaceful surroundings, plenty of affordable housing, proximity to renowned cultural and recreational activities. There are lots of reasons why seniors gravitate to this part of the world.

Now, a few more fast facts that may surprise you: According to CDC statistics (National Centers for Disease Control), an estimated 15,000 Mohave County seniors will fall within the coming year. Between 3,000 and 5,000 of these will result in moderate to severe injuries such as hip fracture or head trauma. Half of all seniors who suffer a hip fracture are never again able to return home or live independently. The real tragedy is that most of the hazards which cause these accidents are overlooked but very easy to fix. Sometimes it can be something as simple as installing a grip bar, widening a doorway, or installing a remote-controlled lighting system that can prevent a catastrophe.

As more and more of our population join the ranks of the 65 and over age bracket, conscientious seniors and their families are realizing that the home that may have met their needs in the past is now an accident waiting to happen. But it isn’t always a faulty design or a missing safety feature that can rob a senior of his or her independence. Senior homeowners especially derive a lot of satisfaction from maintaining or improving their homes themselves. But whereas he or she may have all the confidence and expertise in the world to handle virtually any imaginable maintenance task, the realities of their physical limitations aren’t always taken into consideration, and preventable accidents happen frequently.With these concerns in mind, an increasing number of senior homeowners are making improvements in their homes to enhance the home’s “livability” as a result of mobility problems or other health conditions, and to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries in the home. Likewise, a great deal of seniors and their loved ones are seeking out businesses and contractors that offer home maintenance assistance and various safety and comfort upgrades to add to their peace of mind, and to the independence of the homeowner. Seniors cherish their independence. The cost of home maintenance assistance and a few safety upgrades pales in comparison to that of nursing homes or assisted living ceters.

If you’re a senior homeowner or a concerned loved one in Mohave County, my business is ready with affordable solutions. Call Prestige House Care in Mohave County at (928) 758-9794. We can help with virtually any maintenance or architectural improvement needs you may have. If you choose to call a contractor directly, ask him if he has a CAPS certification (Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist). This is a certification which was developed in association with the National Association of Home Builders and the AARP. No matter what, a professional evaluation of the home environment in relation to the health of the homeowner is highly recommended. Under certain circumstances, the cost of a home assessment by an occupational therapist or other environmental professional may be fully or partially covered by insurance.

For more information on home modifications, visit the National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modification website.