Creating an Accessible Home for Aging Parents | Billy.com

Your parents have always been the ones to take care of you, from skinned knees to teenage heartbreaks. And now, the tables have turned. It’s your turn to help them navigate life’s challenges. Creating an accessible home for your aging parents may not be easy, but this article will give you the tools you’ll need.

Universal Design: Breaking Barriers

Universal design plays a significant role in making your aging parent’s home accessible. This design approach is about creating spaces everyone uses, regardless of age, size, or ability. Some universal design fundamentals you might add include wider doorways and hallways, level door handles, and slip-resistant flooring.

The kitchen is the best place to incorporate this design. Remodel the kitchen with easier-to-open cabinets, lower countertops, and drawer-style dishwashers. Older adults also appreciate slip-resistant flooring, improved lighting, and easily reachable wall switches.

Shower Features: Making Bath Time Safer

Don’t forget to give special attention to the bathroom when remodeling. Slippery surfaces and limited mobility make bathrooms one of the most dangerous spots in the home for older adults.

Adding features like grab bars, no-threshold showers, shower seats, and non-slip flooring can make a difference. You can provide better safety with a roll-in shower in the bathroom. Adding features that boost safety and convenience and improve living independently is essential so your parents can continue their daily routines comfortably.

Don’t Forget the Outdoors

Accessibility should also be in outdoor spaces. Creating a barrier-free entry with raised flower beds, slip-resistant paths, and well-lit walkways can improve mobility and usability. A beautiful garden shouldn’t be off-limits for those who helped to cultivate your growth.

Continue to meet your loved ones’ needs as they enter and exit their golden years by creating an accessible home for your aging parents. Transforming your parents’ living spaces into accessible and inviting ones will keep your mind and theirs at ease. Remember, growing older doesn’t have to mean giving up on the things one loves; it’s about adapting, staying positive, and moving forward together.