Aging In Place Features Pros Swear By

Renovation expert Mike Holmes said that he had been thinking about aging in place when he bought 10 acres of land to build a small “forever” home. Holmes, host of the HGTV series “Holmes on Homes,” also envisioned his children building their homes on the property.

“I looked at this and (asked myself), ‘Could I live here forever?’ ‘Could I make changes?’ I don’t think a lot of people (who want to age in place) are doing this,” Holmes said on the “Aging in Place” episode of his “Holmes On Homes” podcast.

While many older adults want to remain independent and stay in their homes as long as possible, designers, architects, and construction professionals agree that seniors should make plans to age in place before they retire. In this way, they can make changes to their homes over time and add “must-have” safety features to help them stay safer.

“The first point of aging in place that’s important to highlight is safety,” Holmes said.

Whether you want to buy a new house with built-in safety features or update your existing house, the experts suggest creating a plan that addresses your current needs and those you might have in the future.

They also suggest considering a single-level home to avoid going up and down stairs to reach bedrooms, bathrooms, or storage areas. However, a two-story home can work if modifications are made so that key living spaces are on the main floor.

“The first floor is great,” Holmes said. “It’s the one floor that will be essential when you get older.”

Some of the other features the experts recommend include:

An Open Floor Plan

An open floor plan usually combines the living room, dining area, and kitchen into one large open space. Older homes typically have walls that separate each room. However, seniors can consult construction experts about creating more open spaces in their homes. Removing walls and other barriers makes it easier to see in other areas of the house. In addition, an open layout makes it easier for older adults to move between spaces.

Few or No Steps at the Entry and Garage

Many older homes have steps that lead to the front porch or are in the garage. While you may be able to navigate steps now, it may become more difficult as you age. So, deciding how you will enter and exit your home should be done in advance, home renovation experts say.

“Ideally, there are no steps at all throughout the house, from the garage to the house, or into showers,” designer Cathy Cherry of Purple Cherry Architects, based in Annapolis, MD, told Houzz.

If you cannot remove the stairs, remodeling professionals suggest adding a ramp with a gentle slope to create a smooth, accessible entry and exit.

A More Accessible Kitchen

Kitchens in older homes have high and low cabinets, which cause homeowners to reach and bend. These body movements should be avoided as much as possible when you’re aging in place. This is why home experts recommend installing pull-down shelving systems or new cabinets at comfortable, reachable heights, as they reduce the need to stretch, reach, or lift awkwardly. They also recommend adding a double oven or a wall oven to avoid bending over to open the oven door.

Additionally, if you have an island, designers recommend maintaining at least 48 inches of clearance between the countertops and the island to ensure a safe, accessible work area.

Wider Doorways and Hallways

There might be a time in the future when you need a walker or wheelchair, and widening doorways and hallways will make room for durable medical equipment. Having more space to maneuver the equipment also helps prevent dents or paint scratches on the walls.

It’s also a good idea to keep hallways and paths between rooms simple and easy to navigate. “All connections from hallways into another space need to be more direct, or broader,” Cherry said. “The goal is to avoid creating tight turns, so when aging in place, you can navigate those connections easily.”

A First-Floor Bedroom

It’s ideal to have a bedroom on the first floor, and what’s even more convenient is having a bathroom attached to the bedroom. If you don’t have a bedroom on the main level, Rita Wilkins, the Downsizing Designer, suggests converting a living room, dining room, library, or den into a bedroom.

“The average use of the dining room and the living room is really three times a year in America,” Wilkins said in her “Top 10 Home Modification Tips” video on YouTube. “So, if you have a home that has a large living room or dining room and you rarely use it, you might consider that to become the first-floor bedroom suite.”

A Walk-in Shower

Stepping over the edge of a traditional bathtub places you at risk for falling, particularly if you have mobility problems. A walk-in shower reduces the risk of injury because it has a low threshold or is level with the floor, which not only prevents tripping but also makes it easier for wheelchairs to enter. Another feature to consider is a detachable shower head, which makes bathing easier, especially when used with a shower chair or bench.

Enhanced Lighting

Improving lighting in every room of your home is crucial because it can help to prevent falls by highlighting hazards and compensate for age-related vision decline. Wilkins also suggests adding task lighting under kitchen cabinets, in offices, the laundry room, and even the mudroom.
“Your home will not only look brighter, but you’ll also appreciate the extra light as your eyes start to need more light,” Wilkins said.

Grab Bars in Key Areas

Sturdy grab bars are important for seniors to have near the shower, bathtub, toilet, stairways, and even entryways, as they provide stability and reduce the
risk of falling. Make sure the grab bars are anchored securely into wall studs and not just mounted with adhesives.

Handles on Cabinets and Doors

Many homes have knobs on doors and cabinets that may become hard to grasp if you have arthritis or weak grip strength. The home experts recommend replacing knobs with lever-style handles, which can
accommodate a full hand and not just a few fingers.

Non-slip Flooring

Polished porcelain and ceramic floor tiles, as well as hardwood floors, particularly those with accumulated wax buildup, can become slippery over time. The home experts recommend replacing these floorings with non-slip flooring materials. If you cannot do a full replacement, the renovation experts suggest adding non-slip adhesive strips to the floors.

Remove Trip Hazards

Get rid of loose throw rugs and electrical cords that you can easily trip over. Add non-slip mats or remove the rugs altogether. Wilkins recommends decluttering walkways and other areas of your home now, even if you are not aging in place.

“If you start decluttering now, the job will not be so massive, and you will appreciate it yourself because you’ll live in a simpler, less cluttered environment.”

Source Links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ6bQwCM8j0
https://www.houzz.com/magazine/10-aging-in-place-features-pros-swear-by-stsetivw-vs~181755236
https://www.epconcommunities.com/epcon-insights/general-interest/top-10-new-home-aginginplace-features-in-55-homes
https://mybrio.org/top-10-simple-home-modifications-for-safer-aging-in-place/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCuoLgUmfw0