Category: Uncategorized

Seniorizing Your Home (Part 2)

Fast and stylish upgrades

https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/27948BFB-7CA5-4519-91EE-53D3365D90F8?ingress=0&visitId=1a7891ae-2c41-42e8-870a-c24274f681cc
Snappower LED lights are the best for reliable efficient lighting around the house. Available switch plates, outlets in multiple formats. Made in the USA

Aging in place is the “new normal” for many of us over age 65, or with challenging conditions. It’s often more cost effective to add small upgrades for safety and accessibility than to pay the high price of moving. But they can also look stylish while being functional.

Delta’s Curved Assist grab bar at $12.79 is stylish, stable and a small profile. We mounted it vertically for best use right outside the tub and shower. We even added one to our RV shower, making sure it was anchored per Delta directions. See Amazon or Home Depot for the same price point. It does go on sale regularly.
https://www.amazon.com/Delta-DF705PC-Curved-Bathroom-Polished/dp/B00FGF5ID8
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Delta-8-8-9-in-x-7-8-in-Traditional-Curved-Concealed-Screw-Assist-Bar-in-Chrome-DF705PC/203399032

Kohlers dual shower head ( with detachable hose sprayer) looks great and has great functionality. I loved it when in a boot cast, to shower without getting the boot wet.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/KOHLER-Viron-4-Spray-6-in-Dual-Wall-Mount-Fixed-and-Handheld-Shower-Heads-1-75-GPM-in-Polished-Chrome-REC26699-G-CP/323577334?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&srsltid=AfmBOory3hjOEzzl8iURvRjrus_pE8cyedDgmUG6Gz97LvDzm9hdwopfEto&gQT=1
Also goes on sale for less at Costco.

Pull out drawers in the kitchen are great, especially for heavier Dutch ovens and glass/ Pyrex bowls. Available at home stores everywhere, and easy to retrofit.
My Delta pull out faucet is a real hand saver to fill pans, coffee pots, water pitchers, you name it. Many brands are available, I just find Delta to hold up better than some.
Finally, visitors to our house comment the most about out super LED lighted switch and outlet plates by Snap power. They’re adjustable (lo-hi or off), easy to install by an average handy person, and made in the USA.
There are cheaper models at the home stores, not made in the US. They don’t hold up or have the features that SnapPower has.

Wishing you the best as you age gently in your own home.



Blessings, Mary Beth

Lighten Up! (Around the House)

Including Instant and Low Cost Lighting Solutions without an Electrician or Handyman!
My top picks have no batteries or light bulbs to change!

Under $5 Instant Stick-on motion lights for stairways, basements or bathrooms from Menards or Home Depot

My 91 year old mother commented that we need more light as we age, especially for reading, and navigating dark hallways, basements and , yes, more nighttime trips to the bathroom while half asleep! As I have reached my sixties I have also noticed that I need more light as I enter the house into a dark hallway, stairway and in the longer dark days during the winter, and focused task lighting when I do crafting or reading.
A recent trip to Costco showed a full aisle of lighting solutions, probably tailored to our aging baby- boomer population who are noticing the need to “spotlight” or task light as they age. Many low-maintence LEDs for indoors and outside have integrated bulbs that don’t require replacements! (Double win: no climbing of ladders to replace light bulbs)! Several were $29.99 or high of $44.99.

Integrated LED lights for interior or outside. Most with no bulb replacement and easy install. Some interior lights have dimmer options

Our neighbors who are in their late seventies have a dark stairway down to their basement laundry room and have stumbled a few times on the dimly lit stairs. We loaned them our $2.50 battery “hockey puck” motion activated LED light (above) to see if that additional light would give more security without alot of wiring or fuss. This instant solution worked so well, that our friends hightailed it to the home store to buy a few motion activated lights.
As we adapt our home to “age in place” and prevent falls, I am looking for low cost solutions that don’t require wiring or frequent maintenance and can be installed quickly.







Snap power Guidelight 2 outlets or switch lights require no wiring, batteries or bulb replacement. Auto on and off with light sensor. Outlet comes in traditional outlet or GFI for $18 and free shipping from walmart, amazon or direct from Snappower, made in the USA. Snap power light switch is 14.98 from walmart, amazon or snappower direct. Just switch out the plates and done!

My favorite almost- instant lighting fixture is the Guidelight 2 from Snap Power auto on and off (light sensor) outlet or switch plate, which any home handyperson can manage in about 5 minutes by just changing out the switchplates. No electrician or rewiring is needed. It also works for kitchen outlets to light up your countertop work space, which is something we seem to need after age 55.
According to the Techlicious.com, the LED lights should last for up to 25 years, and cost about 10 cents a year in electricity. I like that Snappower is made in the USA (Utah).
https://www.techlicious.com/blog/snappower-switchlight-safelight-guidelihgt-2-usb-charger/

Eufy set of 3 “lumi stick-on night lights” from Amazon are highly rated. Great for a park model trailer, RV or camper.


Lightening up and aging in place in your own home just got easier!

Blessings, Mary Beth