The Ultimate Checklist for Aging in Place Home Improvements
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Stay safe and comfortable during your retirement years with some key home improvements.
As you settle into retirement, you are probably looking ahead at your future housing options. If you have a family home that you’re in love with, you might want to consider aging in place. Nearly 90 percent of senior respondents in a recent AARP survey were planning to do just that. Simply put, this means making a few key improvements to your home that will accommodate your changing needs. Access, safety and comfort should be your priorities as you plan your aging in place home improvements.
Access
One key consideration is access in and around your home. Alternatives to front steps, interior stairways, conventional bathtubs and other barriers to performing daily routines are among the most important aging in place home improvements. Possible solutions include:
- Converting stairs to wheelchair accessible ramps
- Consolidating all living areas on the main level
- Building patios or decks on a level with the main floor
- Installing flush thresholds throughout the home
- Replacing a conventional shower stall with a curbless shower
- Replacing a conventional bathtub with a walk-in tub
Safety
As you age, one of the biggest threats to your safety is falling in your home. Approximately one in four people over age 65 experience falls every year, according to the National Council on Aging, with many requiring emergency care or hospitalization. Taking the following steps to make your home safe is critical to your ability to stay safe from spills and live independently:
- Adding grab bars in the bathroom
- Putting a shower safety seat in place
- Installing a hand-held shower wand
- Replacing standard toilets with high seat models
- Adding more lighting
- Replacing slick surfaces with non-slip flooring
- Eliminating throw rugs and other tripping hazards
Comfort
The whole point of aging at home is staying within your comfort zone. As you grow older, you may find yourself looking at comfort from a new perspective. However, you can take some steps now to ease your transition:
- Cover your parking area and entryway
- Replace door knobs and faucet handles with lever-style hardware
- Add seating at work areas in the kitchen
- Replace materials such as wood siding with low-maintenance materials
- Convert garden areas to low-maintenance landscaping
- Install an energy efficient, programmable heating and cooling system
Aging In Place Home Renovations Specialists
At USA Bath of Reno, Sacramento and the Bay Area, we understand that your priorities change as you get older. Get in touch today for more ideas on enhancing access, safety and comfort in your family home so that you can continue to enjoy it for decades to come.