If you can remember a smooth, fresh Joe Pass album on the turntable, you’re probably used to seeing signs of the times by now. When was it time to trade that hot rod for something more reliable? When was it time to get that bigger house for your growing family? When was it time to install a safety rail on those stairs?
To change with the times before it’s too late, the team at Independent Home Solutions is sharing the five signs it’s time to modify your home.
1. The Doc Said…
Nothing the doctors tell you is hot air! When Independent Home Solutions gets called to help a homeowner, it’s typically after a trip to the hospital. There are many reasons our customers find they need solutions. So here are your options when life hands you a sign of the times:
A Fall
That staircase can seem insurmountable after a fracture from a fall. Too often, we get calls from people who haven’t seen the second floor of their home in a while. To reduce the fear of a slip or a fall, we recommend a variety of handrails. This not only makes your stairs easier to climb, but it also helps you maintain your independence as you get your strength back.
Preparation Prevents Panic
Without the fear of falling, you can continue to live your life with just a few easy home modifications. To prepare your home for life as you age, take a look at your regular gait and how easy it is to get in and out of your shower. If you’re unsure of your footing anywhere in your home, our specialists recommend installing a safety rail system before you may need a more dramatic home modification.
A Stroke
Sometimes you don’t see a sign of the times coming. Some of our customers are adjusting their lives after a stroke. This sign that it’s time to modify your home can happen to anyone at any age. According to a 2021 study, strokes are most common around age 71 for men and 76 for women.
Doc’s Orders
Many people around those ages have been told there is no other option than a nursing home. To keep our customers in their homes and as independent as possible, we recommend a stair lift. For patients young and old, stair lifts can do a lot more than connect the stories in your home.
2. Taking a Seat
Even before a fall or a stroke occurs, you may need to find a seat more often than you used to. This is a common sign it’s time to modify your home. Your La-Z-Boy can’t follow you everywhere, so here are the most common areas where we install an extra seat in our customers’ homes:
On the Stairs
Stairlifts are part of life for more people than you know. Even if Roseanne doesn’t always use hers, it can help many people in their 70’s, 80’s, and beyond stay in their home as comfortably as the day they moved in.
In the Shower
A huge part of life is your daily shower. So why wait until you slip and fall to take a confident, comfortable shower as you wash the day away? Our foldable shower chairs offer the confidence our customers deserve without losing any of the original functionality of their shower. You may not always use it, but having the option to take a seat should be welcome anywhere you need to in your own home.
3. Going Solo
More seniors are living on their own now than ever. As you age, the years can fly by like fence posts. But they often slow down as you start to cook meals for one using recipes for a family. This can result in many threats to peace of mind, not only for you but for your family as well.
Peace of Mind for Everyone
Our crew is trusted by families throughout Kansas City and Pennsylvania to install stairlifts, showers, and ramps that allow their loved ones to live independently. Just one simple home modification can save you from making a call no one wants to make—or getting one no one likes to receive. All it takes is recognizing the signs of the times.
4. Thinking Ahead
If you’re tired of thinking about a nursing home or assisted living in the future, we recommend shifting your focus much closer to now. Thinking ahead preserves the quality of life for every customer that we install home modifications for. With just one change to your home, preparing for the signs of the time is easy compared to changing your surroundings.
Assisted Living or Home Mods
Almost every senior has thought about how long it will be until they need assisted living after retirement. If you or someone you love is facing that choice, our crew has a few recommendations that make this decision an easy one. With a full array of custom ramps, accessible showers, and expertly engineered railing, our customers are investing in their peace of mind in their own home.
5. One Call Away
When your family needs you most, you need to be just one call away. That’s why it’s important you make the right call for yourself, whether that’s after a fall or because you saw the signs it’s time to modify your home.
Some of our customers are not the type to carry around their phones constantly. But you can bet that every time their loved ones call, they’re able to answer. That’s because they retain their independence with simple stair lifts, railings, and showers. The safer your home is, the longer you get to enjoy it!
Take the Time
We’ll leave calculating how much time you really might spend in a hospital to the doctors. But it’s a safe bet you don’t want to spend your time in a hospital bed. That’s why we urge you to take the time to save your independence and the peace of mind of your loved ones. Get a second opinion with your loved ones, then make the call to live confidently in your own home.
Meet Independent Home Solutions
Licensed in Pennsylvania, Kansas, and Missouri, the team at Independent Home Solutions has specialized in accessibility since 2006. In fact, we were one of the very first companies to take this focus!
During that time, we’ve learned a thing or two not just about home modifications, but about people. Some of the most common challenges we see in our line of work have to do with the fact that every customer, every family, every home, is different.
At Independent Home Solutions, we believe in prioritizing people over profits. We aren’t in a retail or manufacturing industry—we’re a customer service company!
So regardless of you or your loved one’s physical challenges, you can trust our team to recommend custom solutions that will meet your needs—and never sell you anything that won’t.
Frequently asked questions about home modification for aging in place
How much does the equipment cost?
First, it’s important that we perform an in-home, hassle-free consultation (at no cost to the homeowner). During this process, we walk through the home to take measurements and understand the unique layout of each room, including the entries and exits. Then we sit down with you to go over our recommended products and all installation pricing.
Comparing this to the cost of an assisted living facility, which can cost upwards of $10,000/month or more, this often helps our clients save significant amounts of money—not to mention, the ability to continue living where they are most comfortable and at home.
How do you charge for installation? Hourly, flat?
We never want you to experience any surprises. It’s why we charge a flat rate cost, and installation is included in this pricing.
What are your payment options?
In addition to accepting cash, check, or credit card, we also offer financing options through Wisetack.
Ready to get started in the home modification process?
There’s never been a better time to live safely in your home. So if you recognize any of these signs it’s time to modify your home, we’re here to help.
When our founders started Independent Home Solutions, we had no idea how much our customers needed our help. We couldn’t have expected how many people could benefit from simple home modifications who simply didn’t know they existed! That’s why we’re happy to offer insights like this regularly to everyone wanting to live safely and independently.
Start your home’s next story by reaching out to our experienced installers in Kansas City and Pennsylvania. Don’t wait for a sign of the times; make the time to enjoy the rest of your life in your home. Get personalized advice, recommendations, and a free estimate with our virtual tool!
