Home Remodeling Tips for Aging in Place
As we age, our needs change. We need to adjust the layout of our home for safety reasons and we may not have the physical ability to do some of the tasks that were once easy.
When you start getting older, it becomes more difficult to do the things that you once took for granted. When you are still able-bodied, going up and down the stairs in your home or getting on and off of a chair may seem easy enough, but as time goes by, these simple tasks become harder and harder to accomplish without assistance.
This leads many people who want to age in place at home with their independence intact to consider remodeling their homes so they can continue living comfortably there. Here are some home remodeling tips for aging in place so that you can age with dignity, grace, and comfort.
What is Aging in Place?
Aging in place is the idea that people with disabilities should be able to stay in their homes as they get older. However, this can create a lot of challenges for those aging homeowners who need to make modifications to their home in order to accommodate them and maintain independence.
It can be challenging when you start feeling less mobile or have problems doing everyday tasks but fortunately, there are many ways you can modify your home without breaking the bank. That way, you’ll feel safe and independent for years to come.
There are many benefits to aging in place. These include less overall expense (the average monthly cost of a nursing home is well over $8,000 per month!), less required caregiver time, and a lower risk of injury from falls or other accidents.
Of course, let’s not forget the biggest benefit of all - you can stay where you are the most comfortable and relaxed without feeling like a burden on your friends and family.
5 Home Remodeling Tips for Aging in Place
1. Kitchen Aging in Place Ideas
If you’re like most people, you probably recognize that the kitchen isn’t just for function - it’s a place where you can socialize and spend time with family. Therefore, making changes to the kitchen to help you age in place is a smart idea.
For starters, consider the location. Your kitchen should always be located on the main level of the home since food preparation is an activity of daily living that you can’t ignore. You may want to move the dishwasher to right next to the sink, if it’s not there already, to make it easier to load. Raising its height can also make it more accessible.
You might also consider adjusting the height or location of the sink, particularly if you are wheelchair bound. You can add a roll-under sink to make it easier to use, but there are also motorized or adjustable height sinks available. The same goes for your countertops. Cabinets, drawers, doors, and appliances should also be lowered or raised to make them easier to reach, depending on your needs.
2. Bedroom Aging in Place Ideas
Like the kitchen, the bedroom is an area of your home that you will need to access every single day and night. Because of this, it should also be located on the main floor. If it’s not, don’t panic - you can install a stairlift or elevator to make a trip to your bedroom a bit easier to manage.
The average stairlift cost has reduced significantly within the last few years and often, your insurance may even help to pay for this kind of device.
Otherwise, consider adding things like safety rails to your bed to reduce the likelihood of a fall and make your bedroom a bit easier to navigate. Other features that you may want to consider include closet lighting and adjustable shelving systems.
3. Bathroom Aging in Place Ideas
Make sure there is at least one full bathroom on the main level of your home. The ideal bathroom for aging in place will have toilets at the right height, grab bars in the shower, tub, and toilet area, and adjustable shower heads.
Depending on your accessibility needs, a roll-in shower or walk-in tub might also be a smart upgrade to consider.
4. Laundry Room Aging in Place Ideas
Laundry doesn’t have to be a burden if you consider these upgrades as you age.
Keeping the laundry room on the main floor is, again, a smart decision. This will reduce the number of obstacles you have in reaching the room - and also lower the distance you have to navigate with your load of laundry. If relocating your laundry room is not feasible, again, consider a stair lift or elevator.
You will want to make sure all counters and cabinets are easily within reach. Consider investing in front-loading dryers and washers to make them easier to load and unload and put a pedestal under the washer or dryer if bending down is more of an issue for you. You can even install things like fold-down shelves next to the dryer that will make it easy for you to sort and fold your clothes.
5. Outdoor Home Aging in Place Ideas
While most home remodeling tips for aging in place focus on the interior, it’s also important to make changes to your outdoor area to keep yourself comfortable as you get older.
Pay close attention to your home’s entrance. Your doorways should be at least 36” wide so that you can get inside if you are using a cane, walker, or wheelchair. You can install offset door hinges if you aren’t able to widen the doorway easily.
You may want to consider adding a wheelchair ramp as well as features like slip-resistant flooring, an automatic light at the main entrance, and a lever door handle and keyless lock system.
Stay At Home With These Helpful Tips
For seniors, the thought of moving to a senior care home can be overwhelming. For many it is too difficult to deal with the idea of selling their homes and starting over in an unfamiliar environment.
The good news is that you don’t have to. Follow these home remodeling tips for aging in place, and you can stay right where you are.
Need help tackling all of these home improvements? You don’t have to handle it all yourself. Instead, consider giving Billy.com a call to take care of all of your home improvement needs.
