Today’s blog post was written for one of the plumbing trade magazines, by a good friend of mine Matt Michel. Matt is the CEO of the Service Roundtable.
I thought the information was so good, It needed to be shared with others.
The number of senior citizens will double over the next 25 years, which means opportunities for the contractors who cater to their needs. Here are ten products you should add to your portfolio.
1. Grab Bars
While it’s the lowest of technology, it’s an essential aid as people age. Every senior should have grab bars inside showers and on walls above tubs.
2. Bathtub Safety Handles
Safety handles fit over the side of a tub to provide something secure to grab when entering or leaving a tub. Typically, these are clamped to the tub wall and not permanently installed.
3. Walk-In Tubs
If the senior is unsure about stepping over the side of the tub, even with a safety handle, a walk-in tub may represent a good solution.
4. Mixing Valves
Seniors and small children are the most susceptible to scalding from hot water. Installing a mixing valve at the water heater is the optimum solution to reducing the risk of scalding by holding the temperature of hot water delivered to the taps at 120 degrees.
5. Hand-Held Shower Spray
Many seniors sit to shower, making hand-held shower sprays much better than standard showers.
6. Elevated Toilet Seats
Seniors can have a difficult time getting up from a toilet. Elevated seats are small risers that raise the sitting height. Many include arms for seniors to grab on to when standing from a sitting position. There are also platforms that can be placed under the toilet, raising it several inches. Some consider these unobtrusive platforms more aesthetically pleasing.
7. Toilet Hand Rails
If no problems are present with the seat height seniors may still need hand rails. These are typically attached under the toilet seat.
8. Large Screen, Simple Digital Thermostats
As people age, vision declines. Backlit digital thermostats with large readouts and simple operation are easier for seniors to operate.
9. Air Cleaners
Not only can seniors benefit from the better filtration of electronic air cleaners or pleated media filters, but the reduced frequency of cleaning and/or replacement give seniors one less thing to bother with. This is especially important for attic and crawlspace installations.
10. Carbon Monoxide Detectors
As with scalding, seniors are more sensitive to carbon monoxide than the general population. This makes the presence of carbon monoxide detectors critical.
Selling to Seniors
Most seniors will be reluctant to admit they might need the aid of disability products. Ironically, they will be quick to suggest these are the exact products needed by friends of theirs. Don’t even hint to a senior that he needs a grab bar even if it’s obvious he does. Instead, suggest that he might want one installed for his wife. Or say that while he might not need it yet, it would probably give his children peace of mind to know he’s taking precautions. Often, seniors take action out of concern for a spouse or children.
As people age, they begin to recognize everyday tasks are more difficult. Yet, they tend to be unaware of the many solutions available to help. Merely making them aware will result in more sales. Sometimes the simplest technology can be the most profitable.
Kevin Shaw is president of Kevin Shaw Plumbing, Inc, serving the San Gabriel Valley since 1982. With over 30 years of In The Field experience, Kevin has the skills and know how to fix most any plumbing, heating, air conditioning and insulation problem and makes it a priority to stay abreast of the latest needs in customer satisfaction as well as technical advances. He has served as the President of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors (PHCC) of the Greater Los Angeles Area, and the California State Board of PHCC. He is also a member of the distinguished organization Nexstar Network and a founding member of Service Roundtable, both of which are trade organizations that train and equip contractors to meet their customer’s plumbing, heating & cooling needs.
For questions, please contact info@kevinshawplumbing.com or call 626-359-1864. You may also visit the company’s website at www.KevinShawPlumbing.com for more helpful tips and homeowner articles and general information. You may also send any questions or comments to: 224 E. Foothill Blvd., Monrovia, CA 91016
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