Hillsborough County offers a senior citizen discount
of 25% off the Solid Waste Disposal Assessment to
homeowners over age 65 in unincorporated parts
of Hillsborough. For more information or to request
an application, call the Solid Waste Management
Department at (813) 272-5680.
www.hillsboroughcounty.org/solidwaste/senior.cfm

 

Aging in place can be done with style and grace
(ARA) - Aging in place - updating one’s home to
accommodate changing needs and abilities as one ages
- doesn’t have to mean sacrificing a home’s style and
decor. From attractive lighting designed to work well for
aging eyes to barrier-free shower stalls that compete
in beauty and practicality with what you might fi nd
in a luxury community for those 55 and older, plenty
of home modifications now make it possible to age in
place gracefully and stylishly.
Kitchens and baths are commonly the most challenging
rooms in the house for people, like many seniors, with
mobility issues. Updating these rooms can go a long
way toward helping you stay in and enjoy your own
home for as long as possible.
When renovating your bathroom, focus on the important
elements, including low-level entryways, accessible
grab bars, easy grip faucets and showers with safety
screens. Other elements include safer, slip-resistant
flooring; brighter, more flexible lighting; and safe access
to the shower or bathtub.
Walk in showers
Stepping in and out of a tub or shower is one of the
riskiest times for people with mobility challenges.
Appropriately placed grab bars - now available in
designer colors and textures - can help improve safety
in these high-risk areas. The walk-in showers are a good
option for wheelchair users or in rooms where a full-size
tub is not practical.
Flooring
That tile floor that you adored in your 40s can be a
slip hazard when you reach your 70s. In fact, any hard
bathroom floor surface, such as linoleum, vinyl or tile
can put you at increased risk of slipping and falling.
Carpeting might be a better option, one that is slip
resistant and warmer and softer on the feet. Many
manufacturers now offer materials that are attractive
and able to repel moisture.
Lighting
Aging eyes not only need more light to see, they need
better quality light, especially at night. Avoid dim
lighting; older eyes need several times more light than
younger eyes to see well, experts say. Increase the
amount of light in your bathroom and consider using
naturally brighter bulbs like compact fl orescent bulbs,
which are also energy-efficient.
Courtesy of ARAcontent

Posted by Tanya Heires