From an article entitled:
" A houseful of ideas for safe living - for the elderly and disabled - includes related information on preventing falls and on resources...""...for many seniors, the best option is to remain at home...
It is relatively easy to modify a home to accommodate an older person, explained Fisher. (For example, by placing a $13 doorknob extender over a round doorknob, one can relieve the frustration of not being able to open and close doors.) But few seniors think of home modification as a way of becoming more independent. Fisher attributed this to a reluctance to admit they are having problems getting around the house out of fear they will be sent to a nursing home. "Many times they don't want to risk their independence by admitting to their physical limitations," she said."
Later in this article, the author writes, "
Educate yourself, your parents, friends, and home contractors on ways to modify and retrofit to accommodate the needs of the elderly. You can find this information at local libraries, or write for The Doable, Renewable Home (Pub. No. D12470), a 36-page booklet published in 1991 by AARP that explains design concepts and products that help make homes more comfortable for older occupants who experience physical limitations. The booklet lists publications that give helpful advice on adapting a home and names of manufacturers of grab bars, door lever hardware, and automatic door operators. It's available free from: AARP Fulfillment, 601 E Street, N.W. Washington D.C. 20049."