By Susie Wyshak. Originally printed in the Rockridge News, March 2025
The edge of a curb. A raised sidewalk. A barbell at the gym. Too many steep hikes. What do these all have in common? Ouch! and “I didn’t realize what a death-trap my house is!”
The Wall St. Journal reports that by 2030, the U.S. population 80 years and older is expected to increase by more than 4 million people to 18.8 million. Many Rockridge homeowners wonder how they can possibly age in place, other than building an ADU.
Tackling Upper Rockridge-style stair climbs is beyond the scope of this article. However for many, small changes can produce big results — whether you’re aging or healing from a break, and whether you own or rent.
Easy Wins To Future-proof For Accessibility Now
Swap a shower head for a handheld or combo. If you ever can’t get all the way in a tub or shower, being able to wash with a hose is a must. Swapping out a shower head is remarkably easy. Many hose kits come with that white plumber tape to seal the threads.
Consider towel rod grab bars. You can find matte black and other stylish designs that hide the grab bar function, while giving peace of mind if you need it.
Amp up your lighting. Along with Improved safety, bright light can enhance your mood. FEIT makes bulbs you can set to different light warmths, with a simple switch on the bulb.
Plug-in motion lights are cheap and might prevent stumbles in the dark. Solar path lights are a cinch.
Check your house number visibility. Is your house findable at night and in the rain by emergency responders? Follow the lead of many Rockridge remodels and choose larger, contrasting numbers rather than subtle.
Anchor rugs down. Area rugs can lead to deadly falls. So why not follow AARP’s suggestion to secure area rugs to the floor with nonslip mats or double-sided tape. Tape can also keep the edges from curling up.
Swap doorknobs for lever handles. There’s a reason the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) requires lever handles. They’re awesome! To be able to open doors by leaning on a lever is so much easier than having to grab and turn a knob. Plus you can hang stuff on a door lever, like your handbag or shopping bag.
Less Easy But Essential House Updates
Tighten up railings. Are any railings loose and at risk of falling with the weight of a fall? When installing a new railing, be sure it could support a chair lift if the time comes.
Kitchen remodels adding drawers rather than lower cabinets and more open shelves happen to be both trendy and accessible.
Widen doorways. If you needed a walker, knee scooter, or low-profile wheelchair, could they squeeze through? When remodeling consider widening doorways and leveling floors.
Deal with steps early. How many steps stand between you and the sidewalk? If your steps need a repair, perhaps a concrete ramp might be a good substitute.
AARP has a HomeFit guide to help home owners audit accessibility in every room a home might have, out to the garage and garden. Some local contractors offer accessibility audit services where you can get estimates for updates, both minor and major.
Community Services Can Fill the Gaps
Remember, we in Rockridge are surrounded by helpful people and innovative services.
For example near Rockridge, Temescal Wash and Dry’s Wash and Fold service helps people who can’t handle laundry. They can pickup laundry (via DoorDash), take care of the wash, and deliver it right back to your home.
If you need medical equipment in a hurry, look into the ReCares Network. This organization accepts donations and passes free equipment along to new owners (https://www.recares.org) Better yet, don’t wait until you need it. Have a basic shower seat, cane, and medical ice packs on hand—no matter how old you are.
Susie Wyshak is a Compass REALTOR® and Senior Real Estate Specialist. She has recently adapted living spaces after a shoulder break, ankle break, and leg break (thankfully all different people). DRE 02144226
