Home Modification
Home Modification refers to products or the process of making changes to your environment to promote longevity, accessibility, and safety in your home environment. Some suggestions may be an entry ramp, walk-in shower, removing throw rugs, a life alert system or levered handles. Being safe at home also means maintaining your personal safety and abilities through programs that support Fall Prevention. Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and significant injuries for elders. According to the National Council on Aging, 1 in 4 adults over 65 will experience a fall per year.
- AARP Home Fit guide website
- AARP Home Fit Guide-singles-062022 Printed guide in English.
- AARP Home Fit Room Guide videos
Articles:
- Curious about smart home devices? How to set up a connected, automated and secure smart home.
- Home Safety for Older Adults: A Comprehensive Guide 2024 A guide on home safety for older adults published by the National Council on Aging.
Services:
- Southeast Alaska Independent Living (SAIL) provides a number of services to support aging in place. They have a durable medical equipment loan closest, Home Map services, and a dedicated staff available to assist you.
Technology Examples:
1. Video Doorbell: This smart technology from Ring, and other providers, hooks into existing doorbells that enable a homeowner to see who comes to the door via a cell phone or computer. This technology may be monitored by the elder or a support like a POA or family member.
2. Voice and Remote Thermostat: This tool (Google Nest, Amazon Smart Thermostat, and others) helps monitor thermostat functions including furnace and air conditioning by voice or by cell phone. This technology may be monitored by the elder or a support like a POA or family member.
3. Virtual Assistant: Amazon’s Echo or Google Home allows homeowners to control their home with their voice – locking doors, turning lights on and off, adjusting the thermostat or viewing camera feeds
4. Stove Fire Prevention Devices: These devices automatically shut off a stove if it is left unattended for a specific time. Devices like this are especially helpful for older adults living with dementia.
5. Home Monitoring Systems: Monitoring systems could help family caregivers make sure their loved ones are safe and secure. To allow for independence, some systems do not require human intervention and have the ability to monitor even body temperature and sleep.
Home Modification Products
Reassurance that Help Is Always a Button Push Away
Wall mounted emergency alert button connects wirelessly to the Alert1 home medical alert system
Showerproof and works within 600 feet of the home base unit
No wi-fi or cell coverage needed
Velcro adhesive tabs for easy installation
Place in your bathroom, by your bed, and at the bottom of your stairs for protection in high-risk areas
Protect Your Home While Allowing Help to Enter
Associated with Alert1 medical alert system:
If you need help sent to your home, Alert1 will give responders the lockbox code
Avoid expensive repairs for broken doors and windows if EMS can’t enter your home
Securely hold up to five keys
Locks tightly around doorknobs, fencing, and railings
4 digit code allows access to keys
Alert1 offers in-home and mobile medical alert systems for seniors and others looking for the security and protection that a personal emergency button alarm provides.
Super IDs are a battery free ID device (bracelet, card, phone, sticker etc.) that is used to provide information about what to do if the item is found or a medical emergency has occurred and emergency personnel need your medical information.
Featuring DynoIQ™ technology, every Dynotag Smart ID has a unique web address that can be entered into any web browser (no smartphone required) for instant viewing of tag contents. The same web address is also provided in a QR code on the tag for convenient access via smart phones equipped with a QR reader app.
SuperAlert™ID Smart Tags are supercharged Medical IDs that store and display critical health information to first responders – as well as securely keeping all your health information.
SuperTagID™ Smart Tags are advanced property and asset tracking and information storage tags, providing vital information needed for property recovery and accounting.
SuperPetID™ Smart Tags are the most advanced pet tags available, offering vital recovery, registration, health history for your pet, as well as storing all medical history records in a secure manner.
Life File Jacket is a magnetic file that is placed on a residential refrigerator or inside the front door to help notify Emergency Medical providers about your medical condition and medical decision making.
Fall Prevention:
Accidental falls in the home are a leading cause to health decline for older persons. There are many ways to avoid falls and to plan ahead to reduce your risk. For more information visit the State of Alaska Department of Health Alaska Senior Fall Prevention Program.