Aging in Place Remodeling in Maryland
As you grow older, you may crave the ability to live in your own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably—but this requires a bit of renovation in terms of accessibility.
Interior Remodeling for Aging in Place
As you age, you’re spending more and more time indoors, so you want the inside of your home to accommodate all of your needs. Everything from your bathroom to your hallways to your bedroom needs to be accessible to ensure you are living comfortably and independently.
Bathrooms
The bathroom is one of the most important aging in place remodels to consider. When you are older, having a first-floor full bathroom is crucial to the livability and functionality of your home. If you do not have a bathroom located on the first floor, it may be time to consider an addition, or to install an elevator or chairlift in your home for easier second-floor access.
If you do have a functional first-floor bathroom, you will need it to include:
- Space to move around
- Toilets of a proper height
- Non-slip flooring
- Grab bars near the toilet and in the shower
- Accessible showers that are easy to enter and exit
Kitchen
Your kitchen is the most important room in your home. It’s where you start your day with a morning cup of Joe. You prepare all of your meals in your kitchen and likely share your meals with family and friends at the kitchen table. It’s a room that needs to be usable and safe for everyone, even in old age or with a disability. Location is key to a functional kitchen—the first floor is ideal!
If you do have a first-floor kitchen, consider the following renovations:
- New flooring to avoid slips and falls
- Adjustable sinks
- Accessible cabinets and rotating shelves
- New, easy to use appliances
Bedrooms
Besides your kitchen and your bathroom, you spend a lot of your time at home in your bedroom. It’s where you sleep and dress yourself, and it needs to be accessible. Ideally, your bedroom will be on the first floor because it ensures easier access to other essential rooms in the home, like the kitchen, bathroom, and living room. If your bedroom, or the bedroom of an elderly or disabled family member is located on the upper level of your home, then consider installing an elevator or a chairlift for easier access and a more comfortable, convenient living environment.
Also, consider the following renovations:
- Safety rails installed near the bed
- Adjustable shelving and closet lighting
- Additional lighting for extra safety.
Interested in beginning an interior design build project to age in place? The experts at Design Build Remodeling Group of Maryland are here to help—give us a call today at (443) 300-2268 for more information on our aging in place remodeling services!
Exterior Remodeling for Aging in Place
As you get older, or whether you are struggling with a long-term or short-term disability, you want ease of access to go out and live your life as you would normally. In this regard, the exterior of your home is just as important as the interior. When considering aging in place remodeling, don’t forget to include entryways, garages, walkways and stairwells in your list of areas to be made accessible.
Entryways and Walkways
As you grow older, getting in and out of your home can become increasingly difficult. You may have a wheelchair or walker that simply can’t make it up the stairs, or maybe you’re concerned about your safety and want to prevent accidents caused by slippery or worn down surfaces.
When remodeling your entryways and walkways for aging in place, you should:
- Create doorways that are wide enough to fit a wheelchair
- Install slip-resistant flooring outside and inside the main entrance
- Make sure the threshold of the entryway is low to assist those with limited range of motion
- Replace entryway stairs with a ramp for wheelchair access
Garage
Easy access to your vehicle is also an important part of aging in place. If you do not have a garage or carport to store your vehicle from the elements, consider a garage addition.
If you do have a garage, but want to make it more accessible, the following remodeling ideas are essential for a comfortable living arrangement:
- Make sure your space is wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs and other assistive devices
- Install adjustable storage systems for easy access to all of your extra items
- Make sure the threshold of the entryway is low to assist those with limited range of motion
- Replace lighting fixtures with universal design in mind
Interested in beginning an exterior design build project to age in place? The experts at Design Build Remodeling Group of Maryland are here to help—give us a call today at (443) 300-2268 for more information on our aging in place remodeling services!
Schedule Your Aging in Place Remodel in Maryland Today!
Obviously, there are hundreds more aging in place and universal design projects you could dream up. Remodeling your home for disability or age is a unique process to every individual customer in Maryland. The design build experts at Design Build Remodeling Group of Maryland will walk you through the entire process and listen to your unique needs. Give us a call today at (443) 300-2268 to schedule your aging in place remodel today!
Areas we service: Ellicott City, Eldersburg, Baltimore, Catonsville, Columbia, Milford Mill, Owings Mills, Pikesville, Randallstown, Reisterstown, and Westminster.
