to low-cost, smart improvements for your home and AARP Quick Learning. I'm Anne Jordan and I'll be your host. Did you know that nearly four and five older adults want to stay in their homes for a lifetime? We're gonna cover some affordable changes that you can make now so that your home meets the needs of your family for years to come. Let's start with the living areas. It's a good idea to replace throw rugs with cushioned, slip-resistant mats or use double-sided carpet tape to secure your existing floor covering. This is such a simple thing you can do to reduce tripping hazards. On a similar note, if you have any stairs without carpet, consider adding adhesive non-slip strips. Another thing you can do is add motion sensor lights in your hallways and bathrooms. These types of on-demand lighting options have improved substantially and cost less than options from even just a few years ago. And it's a lot easier to get around if you can see where you're going. All bathrooms can benefit from safety features like grab bars and many versions today can blend right in with your decor. Just be sure that any grab bars are installed properly into a stud. We recommend hiring a professional. If you're redesigning a shower, consider installing one with a built-in shower seat. Many attractive designs are available. If you or a loved one need additional supports in the future, like toilet seat risers and transfer benches, you can easily add them in. You can also customize your shower with a handheld adjustable height shower head. This is a great option if you're sharing a bathroom with other people. Okay, let's move on to the kitchen. Here's something you may not have thought about. The placement of the microwave really matters. Some people put their microwave above their oven to save space, but lifting and lowering hot cookware over your head can be dangerous. So if your microwave is up high, consider bringing it down to counter height. This next tip is for the outside of your home. You'll want to make sure that address number is visible from the street. Not only will this help your visitors, but it could also help you or your loved one in case of an emergency. Solar powered numbers are a good option that make it easy for first responders to find your home at night. And our final low cost solution is for the whole house. You could swap out your regular doorknobs with lever handles, which are easier to use. Now let's hear from Rebecca Murchie. Rebecca is a retired occupational therapist who volunteers with the AARP Wyoming State Office. Rebecca, there are so many repairs we can do to make our homes comfortable and safe, both now and into the future. Of course, sometimes you need to hire a contractor, but there really are a lot of simple, straightforward changes that you make on your own that can have a big payoff. That's why the HomeFit Guide is such a helpful resource. Can you tell us what the HomeFit Guide is and how to use it? The HomeFit Guide is really set up very nicely. It kind of takes you through each area of the home, starting with the entrance, moving through the living spaces, the bathroom area, the bedroom area, and helps you identify areas that you may need to make modifications to or changes to. It's really a user-friendly guide. And they have additional materials that go along with it that you can kind of do a little checklist and then set up the areas, kind of goals for yourself of what to make changes on. Thanks, Rebecca. For more helpful tips about making your home safe, be sure to check out the AARP HomeFit Guide at this website. You'll find clear, actionable tips on everything from replacing your locks and securing furniture to more significant changes, like installing a chairlift. Thanks for watching. ♪ Bright music ♪ Fading out

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