Making Homes Safer for Aging in Place
At Joshua Tree Home, we want to help you stay safe and comfortable in your home for years to come. New guidelines in California focus on making homes easier to navigate, reducing fall risks, and improving accessibility. These changes are designed to help you live independently for as long as possible.
Here’s how you can make your home safer and more comfortable:
1. Easier Movement with Wider Doorways
Why It Matters:
Wider doorways make it easier to move from room to room, especially for those using walkers or wheelchairs. They also help prevent trips and falls by giving you more space to move freely.
What You Can Do:
If you're building or remodeling, consider widening doorways for easier access.
Plan for future mobility needs by ensuring hallways and entrances are spacious.
2. Safer Bathrooms with Grab Bars
Why It Matters:
Bathrooms are one of the most common places for falls. Adding grab bars near toilets, showers, and bathtubs provides extra support and stability, helping to prevent accidents.
What You Can Do:
Install grab bars in key areas to prevent slips.
We reinforce bathroom walls so grab bars can be securely added when needed and meet safety requirements.
Consider non-slip flooring to further reduce fall risks.
At Joshua Tree Home, we make sure bathrooms are designed with safety and comfort in mind, so you can feel secure in your home.
3. Easy-to-Reach Light Switches & Outlets
Why It Matters:
Struggling to reach light switches or bending down to plug something in can be inconvenient and unsafe. Placing switches and outlets at accessible heights makes everyday tasks easier.
What You Can Do:
Adjust the height of light switches and outlets to be within easy reach.
Consider installing smart home technology that lets you control lights and appliances with voice commands or a mobile app.
4. Accessible Doorbells for Convenience & Security
Why It Matters:
A doorbell that is too high can be difficult to reach. Ensuring it's at a comfortable height makes it easier to use and keeps your home visitor-friendly.
What You Can Do:
Install a doorbell at a reachable height.
Consider adding a smart video doorbell so you can see and talk to visitors from your phone.
