The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) reports that over 90% of Americans want to stay in their homes for as long as possible. This phenomenon is known as aging-in-place, where seniors decide to remain home instead of in a rest facility. Aging-in-place means making your home more “age-friendly,” including finding the right home remodeling contractors to help you install necessary features geared towards older homeowners.
There are many benefits to aging-in-place. For one thing, it allows you more freedom during your retirement years and can give you more time to spend with family and loved ones. Before you make this decision, however, here are a few essential remodeling changes you may want to consider:
Bathroom Upgrades
Falling and slipping accidents involving older people occur almost entirely in the bathroom so it makes sense to add more safety features in this part of your home. Talk to your remodeling and new addition contractors about improving accessibility in the toilet and showers, including zero or low-step thresholds, safety handlebars and rails, non-slip flooring, shower seating and even better lighting fixtures.
Ramps and Doorways
You can also improve accessibility in many other parts of your home with the use of ramps and wider doorways. These may not be necessary right away, but it’s important to foresee potential mobility challenges and prepare for them early. Installing access ramps and widening your doorways are simple changes, but they are important for aging-in-place designs.
Kitchen Improvements
Some kitchen remodeling is also needed to finish out an aging-in-place renovation. Kitchens are perhaps the busiest room in any home, but they can also be the least friendly to the elderly. Ask your contractor about lowering cabinets and shelves and adjusting the level of sinks and countertops to help improve accessibility.
At Design Build Remodeling Group of Maryland, we can help you give your home essential aging-in-place upgrades. Give us a call at (443) 300-2268, or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation and request a free estimate today! We serve homeowners in Washington, DC, and other nearby areas.
