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Nov 25, 2023

Topjian advises clients to paint banisters and other railings in an attractive

Topjian advises clients to paint banisters and other railings in an attractive but contrasting color from their surroundings, so they’re easy to see as you grasp for them.

For added security, install grab bars in a shower and elsewhere in a bathroom. Mann emphasizes that these should be installed by a professional who can properly block and anchor the bars to the interior surface of the wall. Bathroom grab bars and other handrails should never be placed on top of tiles or attached to a wall's surface.

If your home has a traditional bathtub that you step up and into, it may be time to shift to a curbless shower that has no barrier as you enter. Make sure the space where you step into the shower is wide enough to potentially accommodate a wheelchair, and then add a (professionally installed) grab bar and shower seat to create a safer bathing space.

Another optional bathroom upgrade: Major brands offer bidet toilets that can make personal hygiene easier as people age.

People may overlook this, Topjian says, but it's important to have the right kind of chairs as you get older.

For the kitchen, dining room and anywhere else you like to sit, be sure the chairs are sturdy, have arms to steady you as you stand up or sit down and have a firm seat that's not apt to slip off.

And don't forget, Topjian says, "stay away from swivel chairs."

Melissa Rayworth is a contributing writer whose work has been published by media outlets including the Associated Press. She is also a communications consultant working with foundations and nonprofits.

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8 Home Upgrades That Can Make a Big Impact