Most of us can agree that family gatherings are the vibrant, beating heart of the holidays.
“We always want to gather in places that are safe and comfortable for everybody in the ohana,” says Lenore Smith, client care manager for Honolulu design/build firm Graham Builders. “If you’re hosting older guests, you might want to survey your home to make sure it’s safe and accessible. And remember, sometimes kupuna experience significant mobility changes from one holiday to the next.”
Ideally, Smith says, the party should take place on the ground floor, or on one level of your home. “It should be open and free of clutter, with few or no stairs, no area rugs to trip or slip on, and clear pathways. Make sure all areas are well-lit. Does anybody in your family use a wheelchair or walker? Will they be able to maneuver in your home? These are important considerations.”
If you are hosting older family members for extended periods over the holidays, a few simple bathroom modifications can help keep them safe and comfortable. “Consider installing grab bars near the commode in your bathroom, and maybe even purchasing a stool for your shower or a transfer bench for your bathtub,” Smith advises. “And if older members of your family are hosting, it’s a good idea to be aware of any changes or new limitations in their mobility.”
Helping kupuna stay safe, for the holidays and beyond
As we age, most of us experience mobility challenges of varying degrees. These challenges sometimes make it difficult for us to continue living in our own homes. “And that’s unfortunate, because statistically, most of us – almost 90% — want to live in our own homes for as long as possible, rather than spending our later years in assisted living or nursing homes,” comments Smith.
Luckily, some homes can be renovated to accommodate their owners when their mobility changes. Smith shares the story of an Oahu client whose home was originally designed and constructed by Graham Builders.
“Unfortunately, our client got into a car accident, and we had to redesign and renovate her home for her aging-in-place needs,” Smith says. “We built accessible kitchen counters with enough space for her to roll her wheelchair close to them, and ensured that she could roll her chair close to her stove so she could cook. We made hallways wide enough for her wheelchair, and built her a spacious bathroom with grab bars.”
Smith also shares a story about an Oahu client whose disabled spouse began using a wheelchair. “Sadly, their home was not equipped for wheelchair access, plus there were a lot of stairs, and the bathroom had accessibility issues,” she recalls. “After her spouse passed, she asked us to design an aging-in-place home — so she wouldn’t have to go through that sort of struggle as she aged.”
If you notice that your loved one has a mobility issue that makes your home – or their home – unsafe, inaccessible, or uncomfortable, a renovation designed and performed by Graham Builders could make all the difference.
Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year! 2025 marked 35 years of excellence for Graham Builders, one of Hawaii’s very first residential design/build firms and the only contractor in Hawaii to receive the Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award for ethics in small business. You’re cordially invited to attend Graham Builders’ FREE “Building Your Home for Life” seminar on Saturday, January 31st, from 9–11 a.m. Register at grahambuilders.com or call 808/593-2808.