5 Things You Can Do To Make Your Mexican Home Age-In-Place Friendly
In Baja California Sur, where I live, it’s common for immigrants from the US to buy land and construct their homes. When I recently toured a friend’s newly renovated house, I was surprised to hear that she had put several modifications in place with the intent to making it easier for her to age in place at home. Her master bedroom and bathroom were on the first floor, no step up or down needed to get to either. The bathroom was designed with enough space for a wheel chair to turn around, and for an assistant to accompany her when needed.
We don’t all have the luxury of designing an aging-friendly home from scratch, but there are simple modifications anyone can do to make aging-in-place in Mexico more accessible, whether we own or rent our home.
Fall Prevention
As we age, we might not pick up our feet with each step as we used to, we can become less steady on our feet, and our awareness of our environment and the body’s place within it (proprioception) changes.
Falls are the leading cause of injury for those over the age of 65, and the second leading cause of death globally. In the US, 1 in 4 seniors will suffer a fall this year that requires hospitalization. Globally, seniors are falling more than they used to (perhaps because we’re living longer and more seniors are living alone).
To help prevent falls, remove area rugs that require you to step over the edge. Feet, walkers, and canes can easily catch on the edge of a rug, even if it’s only slightly elevated from the floor.
Consider the furniture placement in your home and make sure your most-traveled pathways are clear and wide enough to move through (with a walker if needed).
Tuck away electric cords, clutter, and anything else that presents a tripping hazard.
Invest in railings where there are drop-offs and stairs, or find a way to eliminate the need for stairs. Ramps (unless you need them as a wheelchair user) are not always safer.
Mexican homes commonly have slippery tile floors. If these cannot be replaced, how could you modify the area (or your footwear or the grips on your walker) to give yourself more traction?
Nighttime Navigation
When you wake up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, how easy is it for you to get from your bed to the toilet, can can you see what you’re doing?
When you come home from dinner in the dark, how easy is it for you to make your way to your front door?
Install night-lights or motion-detected lighting in strategic places such as the bedroom, bathroom, in hallways, at doorways, and along the stairs both inside and outside of your home.
We’ve all seen the jokes about Mexican sidewalks, but what is the walk like from where you park your car (or where someone drops you off) to your front door? Could there be better lighting, railings, something done to smooth the walkway?
During the day, are there low-light areas in the home that make it hard for you to read or see where you’re going? Consider how you might let more light in, add more lights, or install brighter lightbulbs.
Bathroom Safety
Although no significant research has been published on bathroom falls since 2008, it appears that the majority of falls in the home occur in the bathroom. Surfaces are often slippery, there is limited space, and we have to maneuver in and out of tubs, stand up and sit down on the toilet.
Mexican tile is beautiful on the walls, but what are the floors like in your bathroom? If needed, place textured, no-slip mats (or no-slip stickers) on the floors and in your bathtub or shower. If you can renovate, choose flooring that minimizes slippage.
If possible, install grab bars in the shower and alongside your toilet. If not possible, consider a stand-alone alternative. You can purchase toilet frames that require no installation, and can be leaned on for help sitting and standing.
Purchase a shower chair and a hand-held shower head that you can safely reach while seated.
If you have the resources, you might widen the door and floor space to accommodate a wheelchair, install a wheelchair-compatible sink or toilet, or build a shower with no threshold to step over.
Kitchen Safety
Whether or not you still cook for yourself, being able to navigate the kitchen to grab a snack or a drink, make a cup of tea, or feed your dog or cat contributes to quality of life.
Consider what you use your kitchen for. Are the items you use daily accessible and within reach? Your most-used items should be on the counter or in a cabinet that doesn’t require reaching too high or bending over low.
Can the drawers and cabinets be easily pulled open? You can replace knobs and faucets with levers that require less fine motor skills and finger dexterity.
For those living with dementia, consider when it may be time to remove plug-in cooking and heating appliances, like the toaster. Many Mexican kitchens run on propane. You might put safety locks on the stove and oven to prevent gas leaks and fires.
Consider Comfort
As we age, there comes a time when we leave home less and less. Is your home a place where you actually enjoy spending your time? And if not, what would help you enjoy your home more?
Are indoor spaces full of natural light with views of the outdoors? Can you bring nature indoors by adding more plants, natural wood, or a small water feature?
Do you have a favorite reading nook, and is it bright enough? Do you watch television, movies, or listen to music - and are those devices easy enough to navigate?
Are there pets or people that live with you, and what is your shared space like? Would you prefer more shared space, or more space where you can spend time alone?
Not every home in Mexico has climate control. As we age, our bodies may become less tolerant of heat or cold, and less capable of sensing and responding to changes in climate. Consider how you might keep the home at a more moderate temperature.
If you plan to die in your home, what would make hospice at home most comfortable?
If bed bound, can you access an adjustable bed, and does your bed need railings?
What’s the view from your bed like? You might want to move your bed to a first floor location, place it where you can see out a window, or set up a nearby shelf with photos of loved ones, flowers, or something you find pleasant to look at.
You may not need all of the above right now. Planning ahead, however, is advised. It’s much less stressful to start making these adjustments to our living spaces now, versus after we need them.
As you contemplate the above, some items may require construction and a larger investment, while others necessitate a day of shopping or are simple organizational fixes with nothing to buy.
If you have the privilege of designing a new home in Mexico, are you building with these considerations in mind? In the comments below, let us know what you’re doing to make it easier to age-in-place in Mexico.
Read more articles about aging-in-place in Mexico…
In Baja California Sur, where I live, it’s common for immigrants from the US to buy land and construct their homes. When I recently toured a friend’s newly renovated house, I was surprised to hear that she …