As a person grows older, they may feel nervous about eventually having to relocate because of their age. For many older adults, wanting to age in place is a common desire. Fortunately, most people can make this dream a reality, but it’s essential to start planning early. To begin, you’ll need to consider your physical limitations as you grow older and what you must do to ensure your home is safe and comfortable for years to come. Keep reading to learn more about the changes you can make now or contact a Brandon elder law attorney today for help.
Assess the Safety of Your Home
 Imagine an older version of yourself in the home you are currently living in. Is your older self able to perform tasks such as bathing, cooking, getting up and down the stairs, or getting in the front door easily? If not, you should consider how to modify your home to make it safe and accessible for an older person.
One way to better understand how your home could be safer and more accessible is to hire an occupational therapist to conduct a safety assessment. They will be able to provide you with a professional opinion about the suitability of your home for an older individual. They can also make recommendations about what types of modifications or products can optimize your home environment for your future self.
Changes You Can Start Making
 You can make several modifications while you are relatively young and healthy to improve your home’s suitability as you age. Many of these can be done on your own, including:
- Installing adjustable handheld shower heads
- Swapping knobs for levers
- Installing non-slip floor coverings
- Creating clear pathways in each room by ensuring furniture and cords are out of the way
Other modifications will require the help of a professional, especially those that must be done according to building codes:
- Installing railings along every staircase, including the steps to every entrance
- Adding automatic outdoor lighting
- Installing doorway ramps
- Adding on a first-level bedroom and bathroom
- Mounting grab bars in the bathroom shower
- Upgrading lighting to improve visibility
- Placing nightlights throughout the home to minimize the chance of falls at night
- Replacing flooring that is slippery, snagged, or loose
Identify Sources of Help
  In addition to determining how to modify your home to make it safer and more accessible, you should identify services in your area that help older adults live independently. Your family members may not be available to support you, or you may require additional care, so making plans now for the help you may need down the road can increase the likelihood that you can age in place.
Contact a Brandon Elder Law Attorney
 Often, people cannot age in place because of a lack of planning. An experienced Brandon elder law attorney can help you assess the safety of your home and what changes you can make to remain there for as long as possible. If you need suggestions or guidance, we are here to support your family. Simply contact us at (813) 438-8503 to schedule a consultation.