QA Forum
Home Modifications
We were discussing Home Modifications
With Paul Flint, Merridy Pearce and Neil Evens
Home modifications are an important part of independence and safety for people over 50.
Home modifications are based on the idea that housing can be adapted to make it easier for everyone to live in their home regardless of age, level of mobility or condition of health.
There are several types of help available such as: modifications to the bathroom, toilet or kitchen, installation of ramps, grab rails and hand rails. There are also occupational therapists who can advise you on suitable modifications to meet your needs.
Home modifications are becoming more and more common in Australia every day because simple changes may help you remain living in your own home, which is what all of us want.
You may be surprised to find how much you can improve your daily life by making simple changes to your house. Modifications can be adapted to suit your needs and levels of mobility, for example - a handrail to help get into the bath so that you don’t slip or fall, or on a larger scale you could widen your doorways or replace stairs with ramps.
If you would like to ask one of our panel members a question on any aspect of home modification, please do so. You can also read through the following questions and answers and view a short introduction to each of our panel members: Neil Evans (Master Builders Australia), Merridy Pearce (Independent Living Centres) or Paul Flint (Council on the Ageing). We have also included a list of useful resources for further information and available services to help you find the information that you are looking for.
The following questions were answered:
| Question 1: | Should a new house with about 12 steps going from one level to another, be provided with a handrail down one or both sides of the steps ? | View Answer |
| Question 2: | My house is 10 years old, and in the last year a few spots of the floor have began to squeak. The floor tiles and grout in one spot in the laundry have become loose. I have some grout (powder) left by the builder, is it still useable? Do I just add water, and to what extent? Do I need to fix the squeak before the tiles ? Which trade should I contact to fix the squeak? | View Answer |
| Question 3: | I'm 73 living in Over 50's Village - had a TIA 11 years ago affecting my left leg and balance. Security door opens out wards and finding it awkward when carrying things. Am I eligible to convert security door to sliding? | View Answer |
| Question 4: | I have a lady who has Osteoporosis and has two flights of stairs in her house what modifications could I make to make it easier for her? | View Answer |
| Question 5: | If a person needs to take medication everyday, but has advanced arthritis in both hands and fingers, and they are finding it difficult to open websterpack, what other options are there so this person could still take their own medication on their own. | View Answer |
| Question 6: | My father in-law has had a stroke which has rendered him completely speech less literally he cant say anything and as this has now been about 4 years it is difficult to communicate with him. He is now falling down a lot and we are finding him in the back yard or inside slumped on the floor, is there a personal alarm system that connects to his wife or family members that he can press and we receive a signal that he requires help urgently or can call an ambulance direct he is 78 years old and failing rapidly. And what cost would be involved. | View Answer |
| Question 7: | Just wondering how I go about arranging a safety and security inspection, I live in Nelson Bay about an hour north of Newcastle. | View Answer |
| Question 8: | My Mother has had a major fall just recently and now has to be in a wheelchair. It has been suggested that we look at widening the doorways in her house. Can you help me find out how to go about this? | View Answer |
| Question 9: | I have arthritis in my hands and I am finding it difficult to turn my taps on and off. I am considering getting some new tap handles that are easier to turn, which ones should I get? | View Answer |
| Question 10: | I want to install some grab rails in my shower and I am not sure where the best place is to put them. Can you give me some advice? | View Answer |
| Question 11: | We are building our retirement home and want it to meet our needs as we get older. What are some of the things that we should consider? | View Answer |
