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   CHECKLIST FOR AGING IN PLACE
                           compiled by Jerry Nelson
For more ideas, google "at home checklist", "aging at home checklist". )

* Retire in Your Own Home - Age In Place  http://www.homeadvisor.com/r/baby-boomers-aging-in-place/#.WGw7E7l5Fjw
     If your home is isolated or you are not a very social creature, this may not work.
     When it does work, it works best (and at lower cost) with shared, community-based support:  http://www.vtvnetwork.org
*Home Elder-Proofing.  If you've been meaning to bring contractors in for a kitchen or bathroom remodeling for years,
     do it,  and also enlarge a key doorway to wheelchair width -- for now, it's just  more light, better style,
     and nobody ever said anything about "wheelchair".
     Do shower grab-bars: http://www.improvenet.com/a/how-to-install-shower-grab-bars
     If you won't start or explain it to your handyman, then
     you're just hunkering down, not making strategic moves to protect your independence. 
     Anything that makes life easier and your old place nicer is good.
* Here's my compilation:

HOME EXTERIOR
loose grit on driveway, walks?
not enough room in the garage even if the door were automatic?
handrail wobbles, missing, can't get your hand around the other one?
lighting
visitor can't ring doorbell and you can't get the key in
annoying curb blocks access for wheelchair, and
you can't get over the door's threshold if you ever get there
bushes need a severe pruning next dormant season
house number covered over for him,
     peep hole wrong height for you. 
A shelf by the door for package deliveries would be nice,
    once the delivery man can find the house number.
Give yourself a table inside the door to put your bags down.

INTERIOR STAIRS, HALLS, OUTLETS, LIGHTING
Loose carpet, extension cord across your path?
Night lights! 
Smoke detectors!
Can't flip the light on before going up?
    It's easy to change out to "decor" switches with
    large panels that switch by just poking them.
Discard small throw rugs, declutter. 
Light it up -- bright new LED lamps cost less to run than the
    dismal incandescent bulb you put in to save money.
Put in new wall outlets and buy new extension cords --
    all you want is more outlets easier to find,
    and the lower shock and fire hazard is free. 
Get extra handsets for a new cordless phone system,
    and put telephones bedside, kitchen, office.

BATHROOM
Water heater turned down from death-scald?
Special seats are available to add height to toilet.
Bathmats that don't slip have been invented--time to give old linens to the poor.
Nice if you can sit at a mirror, not always stand.
A new sink gives you a chance to get new faucets and handles that you can turn.
You are permitted to put the  toilet paper holder anywhere you want.
There are seats for sitting down in the shower.
Get a hand-held shower head.

KITCHEN SAFETY
It's inexpensive to add Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI) wall outlets.
    Ask him to do bathroom too. 
Pull-out shelves are nice under-counter,
    otherwise, you might want to gut everything for knee space
    so that you can sit at the counter.
De-clutter next to fridge -- you need a counter for things moving in.
De-clutter next to stove -- you need a counter for things coming out.

BASEMENT
Throw out paints and solvents you would actually be happy never to use again,
    and which will be **very** embarrassing when the Fire Chief finishes his report
    on why the house burned down so fast. 
Declutter the path to furnace/AC and water heater;
    when you get there, put on a big paper label or 3x5" SuperSticky Post-It
    and write the guesstimated Year Of Last Servicing.
Lower water heater setting and give that a Post-It saying year and setting.
New LED lights will cost less to run brighter than even CFLs -- live it up. 

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Stan Hinden on computers, ending with Stan's links to elder sites
My home page for aging ("old age Home"?)
Home page for this poor old website

Rev 2017Jan4