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Senior Difficulty
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Possible Remedy
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| Balance and Coordination Problems |
Bath seat in the tub or shower. |
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Bath tub with transfer bench |
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Counters edges are rounded |
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Grab bars near the bath and toilet. |
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Handrails extend beyond the top and bottom of the stairs. |
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No stairs to bedroom or bathroom. |
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Phone in the bathroom. |
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Stairway handrails on both sides. |
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Walk-in shower with pull-down seat. |
| Hearing Impairment |
Dishwasher is ultra-quiet to reduce background noise. |
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Increased volume on phones. |
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Smoke detectors have strobe lights. |
| Limited Reach |
Cabinet shelves are no more than 10 inches deep. |
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Closet organizer to reach belongings. |
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Closet rods pull down to a comfortable level. |
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Clothes washer and dryer are front-loading |
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Cooktop has easy-to-reach controls at the front. |
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Electrical outlets are 27 inches above the floor. |
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Hand-held shower in bathroom. |
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Kitchen and closets have pull-down shelving. |
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Lazy Susan to reach things stored on deep shelves. |
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Microwave oven is no higher than 48 inches above the floor. |
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Oven doors swing to the side. |
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Pull-out shelves in the kitchen. |
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Side-by-side refrigerator. |
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Sink controls are on the side |
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Upper kitchen cabinets are 48 inches from the floor. |
| Limited Vision |
Edge of counters a different color than the top. |
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Edge of each step is a color that stands out. |
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Increased wattage of light bulbs. |
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Lights are in all closets. |
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Outside walkways, and entrances are all well-lit. |
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Stairs are well lit. |
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Steps are a different color than the surrounding area. |
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Stove controls are clearly marked and easy to see. |
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Stove has big numbers that can seen from across the room. |
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Stove uses different colors to tell which parts are hot. |
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Under-the-cabinet lights are over the kitchen counter. |
| Poor Hand and Arm Strength |
Automatic garage door opener. |
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Cabinets and drawers have D-shape handles. |
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Countertops smooth so heavy pans can slide across them. |
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Doors have lever handles. |
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Garbage disposal to reduce trash |
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Heat-resistant counter near microwave oven. |
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Push-button controls are on appliances. |
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Rocker light switches |
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Sinks with lever faucet handles. |
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Special hardware to make drawers slide easily. |
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Spray hose to fill pots on the stove |
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Trash compactor to minimize trash bags. |
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Dishwasher is eight inches from the floor. |
| Trouble Bending |
Elevated toilet or toilet seat. |
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Lower kitchen cabinets six inches above the floor. |
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Sink no more than 6 inches deep. |
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Carpet is low pile and a firm pad. |
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Clutter and electric cords are out of pathways |
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Countertop that can be used while sitting |
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Doors are wide enough for a walker to get through. |
| Trouble Walking and Climbing Stairs |
Driveway is smooth, but not slippery. |
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Floors are smooth and slip-resistant. |
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Knee space under sinks, can sit while washing. |
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Knee space under the stove, can sit while cooking. |
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No area rugs. |
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Ramp to front door with handrails on both sides. |
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Stairs have slip-resistant surface. |
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The threshold on door is no higher than 1/4 inch. |
| Uses a Wheelchair |
"Walk-in" closet wide enough for wheelchair. |
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Appliances have controls at the front |
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Cabinet shelves no more than 10 inches deep. |
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Can use my counter while sitting in a wheelchair. |
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Can wheel from car to the front door and then inside. |
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Can wheel to bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. |
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Closet organizer to help reach all belongings. |
| Uses a Wheelchair (cont'd) |
Closet rods pull down to a comfortable level. |
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Clutter and electric cords are out of pathways. |
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Doors and hallways are wide enough for a wheelchair. |
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Electrical outlets are 27 inches above the floor. |
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Enough floor space near doors to move wheelchair. |
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Floors are smooth; carpet has a low pile and a firm pad. |
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Handheld shower. |
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Heat-resistant counter near my microwave oven. |
| Uses a Wheelchair (cont'd) |
Kitchen ad closets have pull-down shelving. |
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Knee space under all sinks. |
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Knee space under the stove. |
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Lazy Susan to reach things stored on deep shelves. |
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Microwave oven is no higher than 48 inches above the floor. |
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Oven doors swing to the side. |
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Pullout shelves in the kitchen. |
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Ramp has an edging. |
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Ramp to my front door with landings at bottom and top. |
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Roll-in shower. |
| Uses a Wheelchair (cont'd) |
Side-by-side refrigerator. |
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Space to transfer from wheelchair to toilet. |
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Threshold on door is 1/4 inch or less. |
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Walkway and driveway are smooth but not slippery. |
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Way to transfer into the tub. |
