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Seniors' home makeovers
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May 9, 2000: 5:51 a.m. ET
Older Americans are remodeling to stay at home during later years
By Staff Writer Jennifer Karchmer
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) - When you think of remodeling your home, you probably envision adding a hot tub to your back porch, some fancy tile in the hallway or more counter space in the kitchen.
But for many older Americans who prefer to stay at home rather than move to a retirement community, they're adding grip bars in the bathroom and better lighting in the hallways to make it a safer and more convenient place.
A new report by the American Association of Retired Persons shows that 70 percent of Americans already have made at least one change to their home to make it easier to get around. This is mainly because 80 percent of seniors prefer to live at home in their later years rather move out to a retirement community, AARP says in a new report called "Fixing to Stay."
 "Some of it is the familiarity, also the support systems that seniors have had around them -- the neighbors, the friends who are there when they need them," said Constance Swank, research director at AARP.
About 67 percent of those who have made modifications in their homes believe it will allow them to remain there about 10 years longer during their retirement. That's a big deal to older Americans who are more comfortable in a home they may have lived in for most of their lives.
Most people want to continue living independently in their homes for as long as possible, said Ada-Helen Bayer, acting associate director of AARP's research group. But she added: "For many older people, the typical home can quickly become a difficult and dangerous obstacle course."
About 85 percent of seniors say they already have made simple changes to their homes like placing non-skid strips in bathtubs or installing higher wattage light bulbs to increase visibility.
"Staying in one's home gives one confidence," Swank said.
So experts offer the following suggestions to make your home safer:
increase lighting
install grab bars
install handrails on both sides of stairs
widen doorways
install ramps
make rugs nonskid
Click here for home modification and repair tips!
Despite the strong desire by seniors to remain at home, about 37 percent say they've put off remodeling either because they can't do it themselves or they can't afford it.
So taking out the drill and sawhorse to remodel a home for senior safety can become a family affair. Many baby boomers caring for their elderly parents are form-fitting the home to accommodate wheelchairs and make it more convenient for older folks.
"These issues are on the radar screen of baby boomers," Swank said. "They are concerned about life changes of their parents or other family members." 
-- Click here to send email to Staff Writer Jennifer Karchmer.
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