Aging In Place Remodeling: 14 Ways to Get Your House Ready for Your Next Chapter

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Every solar day 10,000 sister boomers plow 65 — part of a Brobdingnagian shift in America , as 79 million baby boomer start march into their late years . agree to anAARP survey , 77 pct of adult 50 and older want to abide in their homes as they mature .

If you ’re among this population or have aging enjoy ones , there are lots of changes , major and pocket-size , that can help you create a safe , comfortable home that ’s full pleasurable in the years ahead .

senior couple in kitchen drinking mugs of coffee together

Photo: istockphoto.com

1. Limit the Steps

Easy approach to and from the house is an important feature in any habitation . But for older homeowners , particularly those suffering from mobility payoff , it ’s paramount . For this reason , you might consider create an entry without stair . If you’reinstalling a wild leek , or even add walkways ordecks , practice nonslip material to make it even safer .

2. Go Low Maintenance

When it come time to supercede exterior material , choose products that ask little or no maintenance , such asvinyl siding , metal roofing , and composite decking . These material look sharp , and offer lasting performance . derogate your landscape gardening maintenance , too , by choosing native plant and installinghose timerson your sprinkler system . If your budget allow for it , consider hiring professionals to take concern of the yard .

3. Make the Kitchen More Convenient

In the kitchen , installcabinets with displume - out shelveson rollers so it ’s easier to enter the items inside . Opt for drawers rather than base cabinets to make it easier to recall mental object . Consider installing your dishwasher 12 inches off the storey to contract down on bending . Perhaps most crucial , put in countersthat are 29 to 30 inches from the floor , a height comfortable for dine president or wheelchair rather than barstools .

4. Choose Accessible Appliances

Whenbuying Modern appliances , select selection with honorable accessibility . For instance , front control on stovetops and ovens are easy to extend to than control in the back . Drawers and pull - out shelves in the refrigerator are well-heeled to head than big , heavy door . You should also see to it that microwaves and other small gizmo are in a stable place so they ca n’t tip over . at last , if you have an over - the - range microwave , consider replace it with a countertop model or a microwave oven drawer .

5. Boost Bathroom Safety

If you have a walk - in cascade , consider changing it to a zero - clearance shower , which has no threshold or step to negotiate ( while you ’re make changes to the bath , add a cascade workbench too).Replace your toiletwith a comfort - tiptop model , which is a few inches higher than normal and is leisurely to sit down down on and get up from . You may also want to summate “ some well - placed bars that you’re able to grab on to , to brace yourself or to attract yourself just , ” says Tori Goldhammer , an occupational therapist and acertified mature - in - place specialist .

6. Go Hands-Free

For both kitchen and bath faucets , opt for hands - free operation and other feature that make them more accessible . For instance , akitchen faucetwith a pull - out spout can make cleanup and food preparation more commodious . In the bath , ahands - free faucetor a faucet with levers instead of knobs is ordinarily more well-fixed for arthritic script .

7. Ditch the Throw Rugs

Avoid small cam stroke carpet since they pose trip jeopardy . If you assert on keep a fewarea rug , look for options with shoe - resistant funding , or use arug padunderneath . intimately yet , go with carpeting that covers the entire room . There are a lot of courteous elusion - resistant flooring surfaces that look great .

8. Optimize the Stairs

If your home has a second base stairs are ineluctable , but they can still be made more user - friendly . Be certain they are covered in a pillow slip - resistant material or carpeting , and , if workable , establish a second banister so you’re able to moderate on from either side . To avoid halfway - of - the - night fall , install motion - activate ignition , likeeufy ’s Lumi Stick - On Night Lights , to illuminate the steps while you are on them .

9. Make Your Home Brighter

Our eyesight often gets bad as we age , which is why it ’s a good thought to improve fall around the home wherever you may . tot lighting to dark zone such as staircase and hall , plus extra task lighting in john and kitchens . You might also consider adding morelight switchesoutside of elbow room and farm wall socket to a more convenient height .

10. Create a First-Floor Primary Bedroom

“ If you ’re doing a major renovation , check that there ’s a bedroom on the lower level — one that could become the primary bedroom in the time to come , ” says Wid Chapman , an designer and coauthor of the booksHome Design in an Aging WorldandUnassisted Living . The room can be a guest room for the clip being , or even a den , Chapman suggest . But outfit the way so that at a future time , if you or your spouse can no longer sail stairs , you could make the first - base room your master bedroom .

11. Add Smart Home Automation

Home automationis another important component of get on - in - place improvements . sensing element and timers can monitor house systems to alert householder and care providers to likely problem . you’re able to also set up smart lighting with motion sensors that turn the lights on and off as you embark and leave a space , as well assmart locksthat shut away the front door behind you automatically . vox assistants , likeAmazon Echoand Google Home , can connect to many smart home automations so you’re able to control them with your representative instead of having to press bantam buttons that are hard to see and access .

12. Install Visual Safety Alerts

roll of tobacco and atomic number 6 monoxide detectors are a must for any base , but age pinna ca n’t always hear these important alarms . take demodulator with salient visual alert , such as swank Christ Within — Kidde ’s plug - in carbon monoxide sensing element with safety lightsis a good wager . You should also placefire extinguishersin accessible positioning throughout the home , especially in the kitchen ( and anywhere with candles or a open fireplace ) . You do n’t want to have to go far to grab them if there ’s an emergency .

13. Manage the Cords

Loose cords can create trip hazards , so pass some time managing them : Attach embarrassing cord organizers , like theseOHill Cable Clips , to the sides of nightstands , desks , and other piece of furniture to keep cords tucked away but well-heeled to get at . you may also install cord covers on the floor to prevent trips and falls . Consider label each cord so it ’s wanton to identify which gadget it powers .

14. Widen the Doorways and Hallways

Many old people use wheelchairs and walkers , so check that thewidth of each doorwayand hallway can accommodate these twist . TheAmericans with Disabilities Actadvises that room access should be at least 32 in wide to accommodate wheelchair and other safety devices . If you have step in your home , considerinstalling a step liftthat will grant someone in a wheelchair to pilot to different levels in the house .

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senior man uses walker to walk up pathway to front door of suburban home