My husband and I are concerned about having my mother continue living in her home. She is getting older and we worry about her safety, (slipping and falls, getting up the stairs, etc.). We believe she is not ready for assisted living or nursing home. She is very independent and wants to stay in her home. Are there any alternatives?
- Denice S. Whitmore Lake.

Special care

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I completely understand your concern, and you are not alone with wanting to keep your parents safely in their home rather than moving them to an assisted living or nursing home. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 2004 (U.S . Interim Projections by Age, Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin), the 65 and over population is expected to increase from approximately 35 million in 2000 to 55 million in 2020! The good news is there has been an extensive amount of time and energy devoted to helping this population remain in their homes.

Eventually all of us will be touched by someone we love in the same position. Many homes are being designed and retrofitted to help the “Aging in Place” population, and the caregivers, occupational/physical therapists and remodelers have joined together to solve this need. Many new products and services have been developed that would help your mother to remain in her home. Here are a few examples:

-Extremely durable fasteners are available at www.wingits.com to help ensure that grab bars and stair railings are strong enough to support the weight of a person holding onto them.

-Automatic interior door openers, raised dishwashers, pull-out cabinets, retrofitting homes with zero steps, new inventions to widen some doorways without tearing out the drywall (saving a fortune) and replacing tubs with walk in showers are other ways to help improve someone’s ability to “age in place” in their own home.

There are many organizations which can assist you with home designs, upgrades and suggestions. One of the best programs is known as CAPS, or Certified Aging in Place Specialist. They can offer information and suggestions to help your mother remain safe with her mobility and ambulatory considerations. I am currently taking the certification class and am confident this program will solve many Aging in Place constraints. To locate a specialist in your area go to www.bragannarbor.com/nh_Designations_and_Certifications.cfm .

Other organizations include Area Agencies on Aging - which are funded from the Older Americans Act Title IIID - and in-home services for frail elderly. A few of the services included are home maintenance and alterations, and minor chores for the elderly. Please visit http://n4a.org/ for more information. You can also contact Medicare/Medicaid to find out if medical equipment and supplies are covered. There is also a program for weatherization assistance for elderly at http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/weatherization/.

Millions of Americans are living longer, and understanding their desires to stay in their home will help so many of our loved ones continue to have happy and fruitful lives. The best of luck to you!

Paul is a State of Michigan Licensed Builder. He serves as president and founding member of HandyPro Handyman Service and nationally franchised HandyPro International. Listen to Paul every Saturday at 11:00am on "It's Your Home, Let's Talk About It" WAAM Talk 1600AM. E-mail questions or comments to kpaul@handypro.com.