What have you done to make the home safe/safer as we age?

[billethkid]

I know we need to add grab bars, but am curious where/why from some who have already done it.

My current focus is mainly the master bath/shower/tub/potty.

[Mortal1]

Aren't they all the same???

Grab bars and taking my time.

[villagetinker]

We added under cabinet lighting, a UPS for the electric recliners, additional fire/smoke detectors (garage and laundry room). Added on grab bar in the walk in shower years ago. We have 5 wireless landline phones so we are always close to a phone. Added weather alert radio a few years ago, and made a plan for severe weather.

[RICH1]

Have a circle of friends that check-in everyday with a Text & and a set time! Lever style door handles, grab bars and keep a cell phone handy! Keep your front door unlocked so the Paramedics can enter your home easier...

[Garywt]

When buying a house we only looked for showers that were walk in with zero lip to get in and out. That is all we have done.

[DAVES]

Have a circle of friends that check-in everyday with a Text & and a set time! Lever style door handles, grab bars and keep a cell phone handy! Keep your front door unlocked so the Paramedics can enter your home easier...

Re: front door unlocked
Yet another issue with my wife not worth fighting or even discussing.
Your door lock, security etc. We assume someone breaking into your home will care about damage to your paint etc. Simply that is not the case. Fast in fast out is the only goal.

[Papa_lecki]

Re: front door unlocked
Yet another issue with my wife not worth fighting or even discussing.
Your door lock, security etc. We assume someone breaking into your home will care about damage to your paint etc. Simply that is not the case. Fast in fast out is the only goal.

My wife insists we lock the screen door on the birdcage every night.

[DAVES]

I know we need to add grab bars, but am curious where/why from some who have already done it.

My current focus is mainly the master bath/shower/tub/potty.

Grab bars. Be sure they are properly installed. If steel framing it requires different hardware
than wood framing. Someone is selling grab bars that are supposed to attach with suction cups. HUH, that is nuts.

[DAVES]

My wife insists we lock the screen door on the birdcage every night.

As I've said regularly. It is an adventure. I do not do marriage counseling-no surprise. Do not forget it does not matter, race, creed, religion, wealth etc etc etc. Women do not think as men do and men to do think as women do.

[Nucky]

We double-dosed the Shark Grip when we had the driveway redesigned to prevent a slip and fall. It didn't work too well.

Called the contractor to see exactly what he used and guess what.......he is gone!

Live and learn. I know better I should have checked the material.

[Stu from NYC]

We added under cabinet lighting, a UPS for the electric recliners, additional fire/smoke detectors (garage and laundry room). Added on grab bar in the walk in shower years ago. We have 5 wireless landline phones so we are always close to a phone. Added weather alert radio a few years ago, and made a plan for severe weather.

Last week had a problem with all of our smoke detectors going off and the rest going off in sympathy and we could not shut them off.

To make a long story short fire dept came and took care of it and checked all of our detectors. Turns out the one starting to beep had reached the end of its life and another one was 10 years old and needed replacement.

Asked the lieutenant about why no detector in the garage and he said due to carbon monoxide emissions detectors would constantly be going off.

[TNLAKEPANDA]

Bought a shot gun

[CFrance]

At 3 am I went out of bedroom to check the front door. Mindfully stepped over 85-lb dog lying half in and half out of the bedroom doorway. By the time I came back to the bedroom, I forgot the dog was there. Big brush burn on my arm, and it took two months for the bulge on my elbow to recede. I now have a mini flashlight on my night stand. Little things mean a lot.

[JMintzer]

Bought a lower recoil shotgun... Wouldn't want to bruise my shoulder... :icon_wink:

[villagetinker]

Last week had a problem with all of our smoke detectors going off and the rest going off in sympathy and we could not shut them off.

To make a long story short fire dept came and took care of it and checked all of our detectors. Turns out the one starting to beep had reached the end of its life and another one was 10 years old and needed replacement.

Asked the lieutenant about why no detector in the garage and he said due to carbon monoxide emissions detectors would constantly be going off.

We had a similar problem with the smoke detectors (2 am) about 1 - 2 years ago, I bought a contractors pack and the 2 additional CO2 detectors. I had 2 left over and used those for the garage and laundry rooms. Have not had a problem with the false alarms in the garage.

[I'm Popeye!]

Security Alarm System (Sensors on all doors and windows) and 2 - 9MM Hand Guns.

[JMintzer]

Security Alarm System (Sensors on all doors and windows) and 2 - 9MM Hand Guns.

Yes, but did you find any ammo?

[manaboutown]

Practice, practice, practice with my handguns. Keep one handy at all times, even in bed, as I have for the last 57 years.

[Woodbear]

Yes, but did you find any ammo?

9mm is finally showing up under $0.40/ round. Not the best value but better than $1 per round.

Outdoorlimited.com has consistently had 9 mm around. Targetsportsusa.com is another.

[Blackbird45]

My wife is in a wheel chair, so I've install cameras so I can check on her when I'm out shopping. Alco we have Google Nest Hub, if she needs to get in touch with me all she has to do is tell it to call me and it's a video call.

[2A supporter]

9mm is finally showing up under $0.40/ round. Not the best value but better than $1 per round.

Outdoorlimited.com has consistently had 9 mm around. Targetsportsusa.com is another.

There is a good search engine for ammo which apparently I'm not allowed to post??
I highly disagree with leaving anything unlocked, lol ! Even though it's easy to kick in a door, it will give me a few extra seconds to grab one of the staged guns around the house.
This is actually a good thread, made me remember that we have no fire extinguishers in our new Patio Villa. Looks like a trip to Lowes is in order .

[J1ceasar]

Because of dementia and depression I suggest getting rid of the guns. I know a family who is now dead because their grandfather shot them all.


I have never heard of a home invasion in The Villages so then the only protection I need his from my wife
Security Alarm System (Sensors on all doors and windows) and 2 - 9MM Hand Guns.

[Dan2020]

First Alert Help Center (https://support.firstalert.com/s/article/smoke-co-garage-crawlspace-attic)

About Alarms in Garages, Crawlspaces, and Unfinished Areas
Should I put smoke/CO alarms in my unfinished attic, crawlspace, or garage?
No. We do not recommend installing smoke or carbon monoxide detectors in unfinished areas of the home. This includes attics, crawlspaces, garages, unheated areas, or porches.

The sensors in smoke and CO alarms work best in temperatures between 40° F (4° C) and 100° F (38° C). Alarms in unfinished areas may experience more nuisance alarms due to temperature fluctuations.

To protect an unfinished area of your home like a garage, try a First Alert heat alarm. This type of detector can supplement your smoke alarm system. A First Alert heat detector senses dangerous temperatures of 135° or more.

[thevillages2013]

Yes, but did you find any ammo?

Pistol grip 20 gauge here loaded with BUCKSHOT which by the way is hard to find now.

[thevillages2013]

Because of dementia and depression I suggest getting rid of the guns. I know a family who is now dead because their grandfather shot them all.


I have never heard of a home invasion in The Villages so then the only protection I need his from my wife
Keep a 9 in your nightstand she will never know :bigbow:

[thevillages2013]

I know we need to add grab bars, but am curious where/why from some who have already done it.

My current focus is mainly the master bath/shower/tub/potty.

You should look at where you walk and items such as bath mats and rugs that could trip you. All you need is one cotton bath mat to step out onto and then hang it up on shower

[kcrazorbackfan]

It’s a new home some everything was done on the interior; lightning protection system on the outside and oh yeah, both my wife and I have become more proficient with our semi-automatic handguns.

[Cranford61]

They have medication for that mindset.

[mamamia54]

Years ago, I taught a Matter of Balance class to seniors. I remember a couple of things but not all. Buy a motion sensor night light. It will only go on when you need it and not bother your sleep. Rug outside of the shower should be rubber back so no sliding. If you live alone, while showering, take your phone and leave it where you can reach it (hopefully) in case you do fall and need help. Hope this helps.

[JMintzer]

9mm is finally showing up under $0.40/ round. Not the best value but better than $1 per round.

Outdoorlimited.com has consistently had 9 mm around. Targetsportsusa.com is another.

OOOF!

Glad I bought a metric ton of it (@ $0.18/rnd) the last time we had an ammo shortage....

[JMintzer]

Because of dementia and depression I suggest getting rid of the guns. I know a family who is now dead because their grandfather shot them all.


I have never heard of a home invasion in The Villages so then the only protection I need his from my wife

I guess you never leave the bubble?

[JMintzer]

They have medication for that mindset.

What "mindset" is that?

[haysus7]

You should refer to your Tom Petty quote

[R.U.N.V.S.]

Good morning. The proper location and safe installation of grabbars is the cheapest and safest addition to your home as you age. I did both bathrooms and I love them. I really can’t believe how long I lived without them. Also my caregiver is thrilled too.

I used “Grab-bars and More”.

This is a Village based company with over 20,000 installation. They will come out, do an assessment, install and train / demonstrate for proper use. Incredible guys. Very inexpensive. You won’t regret it.

Their number is 352-630-9256.

Highly recommended.

[thelegges]

Our home came with grab bars. Added cameras in and out, Alexa will notify if I can’t get to a phone. Had to bring my own SW.

[R.U.N.V.S.]

Grab bars. Be sure they are properly installed. If steel framing it requires different hardware
than wood framing. Someone is selling grab bars that are supposed to attach with suction cups. HUH, that is nuts.

You’re absolutely right. Only use professionals. They have experience in home construction and are trained specifically in grabbars and other safety devices.
Like I said earlier, we loved GrabBars and More, owned by a villager.
They were very knowledgeable and took the time to educate me. Im much more confident now.

[bruce213]

You can install a light switch on your outdoor lights with a flashing mode. On/off/flashing then if there is an emergency you can unlock the front door turn on flashing lights so responders know which house quicker.

[davefin]

Handgun under pillow helped a lot.

[cj1040]

Are all of these gun remarks serious? A gun is the last thing on our minds...you are not living out in the middle of the woods somewhere or in an inner city area. The houses here look so much alike that your chances of inviting a break in are very low. There are way too many guns and way too much drinking and that is a bad combination. We have motion lights, sturdy rugs that dont slip or bunch up and we lock up whenever we leave.

[beeneyra]

Remove all rugs, trip hazard.

[Tunesmith]

You can install a light switch on your outdoor lights with a flashing mode. On/off/flashing then if there is an emergency you can unlock the front door turn on flashing lights so responders know which house quicker.
I did a quick internet search and these emergency flasher light switches can be a bit hard to find. I suggest you try using the search terms "911 locator switch" or "home locator switch". I found one called "911 Switch" at 911switch dot com, but it's pretty expensive at $150. Another is made by Pass & Seymour, model number TM8LOCATORW which is somewhere between $50 and $75. There might be some switches that can also be Alexa-controlled, but I have no further info on them. Good luck!

[LaneyBeckler]

We added under cabinet lighting, a UPS for the electric recliners, additional fire/smoke detectors (garage and laundry room). Added on grab bar in the walk in shower years ago. We have 5 wireless landline phones so we are always close to a phone. Added weather alert radio a few years ago, and made a plan for severe weather.

A bed safety rail that you can insert under the mattress is a great way to prevent falling out of, and for balance getting in and out of bed, especially when on medication or when otherwise disoriented. Many rails also have storage pockets.

[GrumpyOldMan]

Interesting thread.

My first thought was home modifications that apply to growing older, grab bars, non-slip driveway, walk-in showers, etc. All of which I see and most of which I agree with.

Then along came the "guns" and security systems. That is very interesting to me, how some of us consider home safety to be things like slipping and falling, and others think of someone breaking into their homes to do them harm.

It is sad to me that so many feel so insecure that they feel more of a need for guns when growing older. I am NOT saying you should not have guns if you want them, I am not saying you should not be allowed to. I just think it is sad that so many feel they need them.

My personal answer to home security concerning robbery has been, "My plan is to ask if they need help carrying anything out, or if I can get them some refreshments while they are looting". My life and their lives are worth more to me than stuff. But that is just my opinion, I expect everyone else disagrees with me.

[Villagesgal]

Installed a short grab bar at the entrance to out walk in shower to hold onto for step over to get in and out along with the regular grab bars in shower and bathroom.

[Travelingal702]

I know we need to add grab bars, but am curious where/why from some who have already done it.

My current focus is mainly the master bath/shower/tub/potty.
Get rid of all the small scatter rugs! They will trip you up when least expected.

[kcrazorbackfan]

Are all of these gun remarks serious? A gun is the last thing on our minds...you are not living out in the middle of the woods somewhere or in an inner city area. The houses here look so much alike that your chances of inviting a break in are very low. There are way too many guns and way too much drinking and that is a bad combination. We have motion lights, sturdy rugs that dont slip or bunch up and we lock up whenever we leave.

Are you being serious when asking the question on gun remarks? Do you think all the homes in The Villages are owned by “Ward and June Cleaver” types of people. There are too many of the “want to hurt you over any little thing” types and also too many adult kids living with their parent(s) that don’t think twice about breaking into homes.

My wife and I both will be the survivors if someone does their best to harm us. And, for your info, we don’t drink.

[Tsalla Apopka]

I need help all the time in moving safely.
Grab bars are very useful. I have one beside commode and both at the entrance to the shower and also inside the shower. A portable shower chair goes in with me.
Furniture placement in the house is also important. I lose my balance while walking through the house so it's important that a piece of furniture, chair, couch or sturdy table, is in reach if I start to topple.
Never thought I'd need this kind of stuff but not too proud to use all tools available.

[GrumpyOldMan]

Are you being serious when asking the question on gun remarks? Do you think all the homes in The Villages are owned by “Ward and June Cleaver” types of people. There are too many of the “want to hurt you over any little thing” types and also too many adult kids living with their parent(s) that don’t think twice about breaking into homes.

My wife and I both will be the survivors if someone does their best to harm us. And, for your info, we don’t drink.

Well, if it makes you feel safer, go for it.

"For every time a gun in the home was used in a self-defense or legally justifiable shooting, there were four unintentional shootings, seven criminal assaults or homicides, and 11 attempted or completed suicides."

nih.gov (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9715182/)

[GrumpyOldMan]

I need help all the time in moving safely.
Grab bars are very useful. I have one beside commode and both at the entrance to the shower and also inside the shower. A portable shower chair goes in with me.
Furniture placement in the house is also important. I lose my balance while walking through the house so it's important that a piece of furniture, chair, couch or sturdy table, is in reach if I start to topple.
Never thought I'd need this kind of stuff but not too proud to use all tools available.

Good for you, dealing with reality and not denying it.

All this and more is why we moved to The Villages. We are not golfers, we are not very social people, but we are getting older and lived in an older home full of issues, 30 minutes from the hospital, and 1/2 mile from our nearest neighbor on some acreage. We came and researched here, and found 5 minute EMT response times, we found Urgent Care facilities in every villa, the new homes with wide doors (wheelchair accessible), grab rails, walk-in showers, neighborhood watch patrols, and neighbors that pay attention to each other. All that makes us feel safer - so, my answer to this thread is we bought a new home here, to make us feel safer.

[sheralcaswell]

I installed mini led nightlights everywhere. My house is never dark

[JMintzer]

You should refer to your Tom Petty quote

Yeah, no...

I have a fire extinguisher... Do I worry about a fire?

I wear a seatbelt... Do I worry about an accident?

[JMintzer]

Are all of these gun remarks serious? A gun is the last thing on our minds...you are not living out in the middle of the woods somewhere or in an inner city area. The houses here look so much alike that your chances of inviting a break in are very low. There are way too many guns and way too much drinking and that is a bad combination. We have motion lights, sturdy rugs that dont slip or bunch up and we lock up whenever we leave.

Here's a novel idea...

If you don't want one... Don't buy one!

[GrumpyOldMan]

Yeah, no...

I have a fire extinguisher... Do I worry about a fire?

I wear a seatbelt... Do I worry about an accident?


Excellent post!

So often it seems everything here has to be black or white. But, the reality is most things are gray. There are many things we each do every day that doesn't guarantee anything, but help. And I expect most people don't sit around fretting (worrying) over all of them...

I don't worry about people breaking into my house. (I did move to the villages with neighborhood watch and lots of nearby neighbors)

I don't worry about the water supply becoming contaminated (but I do have a whole house filter)

And on and on. But, I guess it is just too much "fun" to argue about everything - LOL

[JMintzer]

Are all of these gun remarks serious? A gun is the last thing on our minds...you are not living out in the middle of the woods somewhere or in an inner city area. The houses here look so much alike that your chances of inviting a break in are very low. There are way too many guns and way too much drinking and that is a bad combination. We have motion lights, sturdy rugs that dont slip or bunch up and we lock up whenever we leave.

I currently live in one of the safest suburbs of DC, yet this happened... Two of the murdered girls babysat for my kids...

We were friends with the parents...

No one thought it could ever happen here... Yet it did...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1995/11/26/for-potomac-family-the-unspeakable-came-home/b107080f-c879-420d-b925-95665e8ded88/

[JMintzer]

Interesting thread.

My first thought was home modifications that apply to growing older, grab bars, non-slip driveway, walk-in showers, etc. All of which I see and most of which I agree with.

Then along came the "guns" and security systems. That is very interesting to me, how some of us consider home safety to be things like slipping and falling, and others think of someone breaking into their homes to do them harm.

It is sad to me that so many feel so insecure that they feel more of a need for guns when growing older. I am NOT saying you should not have guns if you want them, I am not saying you should not be allowed to. I just think it is sad that so many feel they need them.

My personal answer to home security concerning robbery has been, "My plan is to ask if they need help carrying anything out, or if I can get them some refreshments while they are looting". My life and their lives are worth more to me than stuff. But that is just my opinion, I expect everyone else disagrees with me.

Well, my home came with grab bars, non slip garage flooring, a walk in shower...

I have an alarm system up North, so why wouldn't I get one for the Southern abode?

My alarm also has a panic button in case of medical emergencies, so there's that...

I've seen too many videos of people being assaulted in DC, at restaurants I patronize to think the police will protect me on my wife, so I choose to take on that responsibility myself.

If you feel otherwise, that's certainly your choice. I have no qualms with that...

[LianneMigiano]

We forgot to remove a battery in an extra smoke detector that we had in the garage and then totally forgot the fact that we actually had the extra. More than two years later we started having a strange annoying, intermittent beep. After more than a few weeks we discovered the extra in it's box that was pushed way behind other stuff and finally removed the errant battery! This getting old is for the birds!!!

[JMintzer]

Well, if it makes you feel safer, go for it.

"For every time a gun in the home was used in a self-defense or legally justifiable shooting, there were four unintentional shootings, seven criminal assaults or homicides, and 11 attempted or completed suicides."

nih.gov (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9715182/)

That stat does not include the use of guns that were never fired...

Per the FBI, guns were used in 800K-2 MILLION times/year when not a single shot was fired...

[rjm1cc]

I would not leave the door unlock but you are correct. For my house it would take you an extra second to break the window in the door and reach in to unlock. I have seen key boxes you put a door key in and the emergency personnel can open to get the key to your home. Similar to what Realtors use for showing a home. Check your local county to see if they do it. A compromise might be a digital lock or a lock you can operate over wifi from you phone.

[SacDQ]

If you can accomplish all those outlined steps you most likely don’t require an emergency responder.

[GrumpyOldMan]

I installed mini led nightlights everywhere. My house is never dark

Yup, we got those and plugged a couple into every room. Works great costs almost nothing.

[GrumpyOldMan]

And for dog/per owners, don't forget the stickers on the front windows/doors that let people/rescuers know there are pets there. Both for the pets sake and for the EMTs. We have a 100 lb Great Pyrenees - not something the EMT wants to walk into unexpectedly.

[GrumpyOldMan]

That stat does not include the use of guns that were never fired...

Per the FBI, guns were used in 800K-2 MILLION times/year when not a single shot was fired...

Good point, I wonder if there is any way to determine what difference in outcomes would have been if guns were not available.

Sadly (IMHO) with 300 million guns in circulation they are not going away, so, as I say, if you want them, go for it. I don't have to like it, but it is the law.

[JMintzer]

I installed mini led nightlights everywhere. My house is never dark

Same. Very helpful...

[JMintzer]

Excellent post!

So often it seems everything here has to be black or white. But, the reality is most things are gray. There are many things we each do every day that doesn't guarantee anything, but help. And I expect most people don't sit around fretting (worrying) over all of them...

I don't worry about people breaking into my house. (I did move to the villages with neighborhood watch and lots of nearby neighbors)

I don't worry about the water supply becoming contaminated (but I do have a whole house filter)

And on and on. But, I guess it is just too much "fun" to argue about everything - LOL

Ding! Ding! Ding!

[JMintzer]

Good point, I wonder if there is any way to determine what difference in outcomes would have been if guns were not available.

Sadly (IMHO) with 300 million guns in circulation they are not going away, so, as I say, if you want them, go for it. I don't have to like it, but it is the law.

Okay, now you're scaring me...:icon_wink::icon_wink::icon_wink:

[Westie Man]

Coming Soon: The Senior Citizen Defender Pistol AttachmentThe Firearm Blog (https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2020/01/13/senior-citizen-defender/)

[GrumpyOldMan]

Coming Soon: The Senior Citizen Defender Pistol AttachmentThe Firearm Blog (https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2020/01/13/senior-citizen-defender/)

Okay, I am NOT belittling your post - honest, but I found it amusing.

First, I didn't see anything in the article that indicated why that mod would be better suited for seniors as opposed to anyone else. It appears to be a marketing piece targeting seniors that are concerned they might not know or be able to handle a handgun.

I expect training would be a good or better expenditure of money.

And second, I actually laughed out loud at the comment it makes the gun so much more comfortable to hold - I KNOW it is important, but I imagined the customer asking at the gun shop, "I need a gun to kill someone before they kill me, and it is very important that it be comfortable, in case I have to kill lots of someones."

[Velvet]

At 3 am I went out of bedroom to check the front door. Mindfully stepped over 85-lb dog lying half in and half out of the bedroom doorway. By the time I came back to the bedroom, I forgot the dog was there. Big brush burn on my arm, and it took two months for the bulge on my elbow to recede. I now have a mini flashlight on my night stand. Little things mean a lot.

I had a similar experience with my Goldie when I stepped out of the bathroom. Made a note to myself, next dog I have will not be the same color as the carpet.

[GrumpyOldMan]

I had a similar experience with my Goldie when I stepped out of the bathroom. Made a note to myself, next dog I have will not be the same color as the carpet.

I think they still sell Ritz dye, you could dye your Goldie fluorescent orange? LOL!

I feel for you, we have a Great Pyrenees and a big Labrador... we have considered night lights on the dogs.

[coffeebean]

Have a circle of friends that check-in everyday with a Text & and a set time! Lever style door handles, grab bars and keep a cell phone handy! Keep your front door unlocked so the Paramedics can enter your home easier...

I'm from NY. We never leave our front door unlocked. Paramedics can break down the door if necessary but it remains locked all the time except when I'm out front working on the yard.

[coffeebean]

My wife insists we lock the screen door on the birdcage every night.

The screen door can be breached VERY EASILY with a knife. Just one slit in the screen and they are in. We never lock the screen door.

[brianherlihy]

i have more guns

[GrumpyOldMan]

I'm from NY. We never leave our front door unlocked. Paramedics can break down the door if necessary but it remains locked all the time except when I'm out front working on the yard.

I think the post was referring to The Villages. Absolutely, different places have different circumstances.

I am totally, 99.999%, not worried about my home being broken into. With the tightly pack thousands of homes around me, and living in a dead-end circle it would take the thieves a long time to find their way to my house and decide I looked tastier than the other hundreds of houses they passed on the way to it.

Then there is my 110 lb Great Pyrenees.

I would love to get a picture of the thief's face when they came inside our home and came face to face with him. He was raised as a guard dog and doesn't take kindly to anyone on his property. Known as gentle giants, they are very calm and easy-going - until they aren't.

[jbartle1]

15 years ago, we bought an attack dachshund, assuming the robber will bend over to make attack easier.

[GrumpyOldMan]

15 years ago, we bought an attack dachshund, assuming the robber will bend over to make attack easier.

lol!

[I'm Popeye!]

Interesting thread.
My personal answer to home security concerning robbery has been, "My plan is to ask if they need help carrying anything out, or if I can get them some refreshments while they are looting". My life and their lives are worth more to me than stuff. But that is just my opinion, I expect everyone else disagrees with me.

Totally disagree with you!
Thief these days know that there are many wimps that make it easy for them to steal their property especially in a senior community, a gun is absolutely needed for personal security.

[GrumpyOldMan]

Totally disagree with you!
Thief these days know that there are many wimps that make it easy for them to steal their property especially in a senior community, a gun is absolutely needed for personal security.

Thank you for your input, I also totally disagree with you.

I value human life more than stuff. So, the gun is not an option for me.

Also, I assume you were not calling ME a wimp. My DI from Paris Island might disagree with you on that count.

[Skoego]

I know we need to add grab bars, but am curious where/why from some who have already done it.

My current focus is mainly the master bath/shower/tub/potty.

I downloaded this guide from AARP for some ideas:
https://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/livable-communities/housing/2020/homefit/HomeFit-Singles-12320.pdf

[jimjamuser]

I know we need to add grab bars, but am curious where/why from some who have already done it.

My current focus is mainly the master bath/shower/tub/potty.
A slip-resistant floor for the shower would be very important. Some furniture or even bathroom sinks have VERY pointed corners on the top flat surface. That can be dangerous in case of a hard fall. For furniture, wicker usually has rounded corners. Rugs in a bathroom are soft to walk on, but can slip causing a bad fall. One of the worst injuries that an older person can suffer is breaking a hip. Then they refuse to walk and then pneumonia KILLS them. So strangely, we would live longer as a statistical group if we always wore a pair of football hip protectors. Lots of ways to answer that proposed question.

[GrumpyOldMan]

A slip-resistant floor for the shower would be very important. Some furniture or even bathroom sinks have VERY pointed corners on the top flat surface. That can be dangerous in case of a hard fall. For furniture, wicker usually has rounded corners. Rugs in a bathroom are soft to walk on, but can slip causing a bad fall. One of the worst injuries that an older person can suffer is breaking a hip. Then they refuse to walk and then pneumonia KILLS them. So strangely, we would live longer as a statistical group if we always wore a pair of football hip protectors. Lots of ways to answer that proposed question.

Good point about the shower. Ours was very non-slip for a year, but lately, it seems to feel a little more slippery. I need to talk to the house cleaners about what they are using in it.

[JMintzer]

A slip-resistant floor for the shower would be very important.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/02/05/ca/0205ca82265c2181f9622e1edd022412.jpg

[jimjamuser]

And for dog/per owners, don't forget the stickers on the front windows/doors that let people/rescuers know there are pets there. Both for the pets sake and for the EMTs. We have a 100 lb Great Pyrenees - not something the EMT wants to walk into unexpectedly.
With a Great Pyrenees at home, you don't NEED a gun at home!

[patfla06]

I'm from NY. We never leave our front door unlocked. Paramedics can break down the door if necessary but it remains locked all the time except when I'm out front working on the yard.

I would strongly agree with this.

Never leave your doors unlocked.

[GrumpyOldMan]

With a Great Pyrenees at home, you don't NEED a gun at home!

Well, I guess someone could say if the bad guy has a gun they could shoot the dog. But, the FBI says a loud dog and a porch light are the two best determinants to being burglarized at home. They hear the dog, see the light and look for a target that is less trouble.

[thelegges]

Thank you for your input, I also totally disagree with you.

I value human life more than stuff. So, the gun is not an option for me.

Also, I assume you were not calling ME a wimp. My DI from Paris Island might disagree with you on that count.

You will notice we have over 20,000 veterans in TV. Plus large community that have LEO background. Retirement or not many have always had guns in their life, some as early as 10. I am surprised you didn’t know that TV does have a large community of guns and permits.
Just because you move to TV, doesn’t mean you change your life completely. Respect that you choose not to carry, but your views are not going to change those that do.

[JMintzer]

Well, I guess someone could say if the bad guy has a gun they could shoot the dog. But, the FBI says a loud dog and a porch light are the two best determinants to being burglarized at home. They hear the dog, see the light and look for a target that is less trouble.

Agreed. Nothing wrong with either of those things...

But, I'm allergic to most large breed dogs and unless I want to sneeze on an intruder, I'll consider other options... :icon_wink:

[JMintzer]

Thank you for your input, I also totally disagree with you.

I value human life more than stuff. So, the gun is not an option for me.

Also, I assume you were not calling ME a wimp. My DI from Paris Island might disagree with you on that count.

Sadly, home intruders don't value their own life more than they do "stuff"...

Plus, as we age, what that DI taught is less and less effective...

[Kenswing]

Fire extinguishers in the garage, kitchen and outdoor kitchen.

As far as guns go, not everyone is comfortable with them. When my wife was still working her shift started at 4:00am at a hospital that wasn't in the greatest part of town. She would carry a VERY bright LED flashlight. Shine that in a perpetrators eyes. If they can't see you they can't hurt you. While they are blinded, a good strong kick to the nether regions and you can make a easy escape. We have many flashlights and led lanterns in the house. I know we don't lose power here nearly as often as we did in our old house but they made the trip with us. Always good to have.

[snbrafford]

Some of the homes I've been in here have standard height toilets and some have the taller ones that I believe are called "right height" toilets. They are a few inches taller and I think much easier to get on and off. I think they are especially better after knee or hip surgery as the joint angles are somewhat less.

[collie1228]

I added a CZ P10 9mm auto and a biometric gun safe at my bedside. I try to shoot it at the Ocala National Forest gun range at least 3-4 times each year. I'm a firm believer in the old saying, "It's better to have one and not not need it than to need one and not have it." Oh, and I installed chair height toilets too!

[Cupcake57]

I know we need to add grab bars, but am curious where/why from some who have already done it.

My current focus is mainly the master bath/shower/tub/potty.

Hand held shower head and an extra holder to hang it up near the shower seat so I can sit to shower when I want to.

Extra grab bar on the wall near guest shower so my guests don't fall and break a hip.

Rubber thresholds (made out of old tires)that I got off Amazon for the garage-to-kitchen door and the lanai-living room slider so I don't trip on the thresholds.

[ThirdOfFive]

Totally disagree with you!
Thief these days know that there are many wimps that make it easy for them to steal their property especially in a senior community, a gun is absolutely needed for personal security.
Heard this one awhile back...supposed to be true.

Grandma gets stopped for speeding. During the course of the conversation Grandma informs the cop that she has a permit to carry. The cop asks if she is carrying.

"Well, yes", Grandma says. "I have a .380 auto in my purse".

The cop asks if that is the only gun she has. Grandma admits to having a 9 mm in the glove compartment...and adds, as an afterthought, that she has a .357 magnum under the front seat.

"Lady, what are you afraid of?" the officer inquires.

Grandma looks the cop right in the eye and says "not one ___ ____ thing!"

[Laker14]

No guns, no big dogs, and no grab bars. But....

I put the Tanqueray and tonic on the counter top so I never have to reach up, or squat down.

[JMintzer]

No guns, no big dogs, and no grab bars. But....

I put the Tanqueray and tonic on the counter top so I never have to reach up, or squat down.

https://en.meming.world/images/en/thumb/4/4a/Modern_Problems_Require_Modern_Solutions.jpg/300px-Modern_Problems_Require_Modern_Solutions.jpg

[Ecuadog]

I bought a Bill Holden drinking helmet.

[Laker14]

I bought a Bill Holden drinking helmet.

ouch. but hey, if it saves one life.....

[Seamus6]

I put the Tanqueray and tonic on the counter top so I never have to reach up, or squat down.


Best answer all week!

[JMintzer]

No guns, no big dogs, and no grab bars. But....

I put the Tanqueray and tonic on the counter top so I never have to reach up, or squat down.

THREAD HIJACK ALERT!

Have you tried "Aviation American Gin"?

Not to knock Tanqueray, but Aviation is amazing...

Add to that, Ryan Reynolds is a brilliant marketer...

The Process | Aviation Gin - YouTube (https://youtu.be/NjDCH6SiMgo)

[Laker14]

THREAD HIJACK ALERT!

Have you tried "Aviation American Gin"?

Not to knock Tanqueray, but Aviation is amazing...

Add to that, Ryan Reynolds is a brilliant marketer...

The Process | Aviation Gin - YouTube (https://youtu.be/NjDCH6SiMgo)

thanks for the tip..will give it a try.