Aging In Place? Home Improvements To Do It Right

When most older adults bought their homes, they could climb stairs, step into a bathtub, reach the highest shelf in a cabinet, and vacuum the floors. As the years passed, however, these simple tasks became harder to perform. But despite their limitations, older adults want to stay in their homes as they age.

According to a 2021 AARP survey, 77 percent of adults 50 and older said they want to remain in their homes for as long as possible. Aging in place is not only less stressful than moving, but it also offers homeowners a sense of security by keeping them connected to their memories and familiar environments.

“Usually, they have established a network of community connections,” Jamie Gold, a wellness-design consultant in San Diego, Calif., told PressReader.com. “It could be close to their place of worship, friends of many years, or shopping that they enjoy.”

However, aging experts and design consultants say older adults who want to age in place should consider making home improvements for safety. Most changes occur in the kitchen and bathroom. For example, Angie’s List indicates that kitchen and bathroom upgrades can cost between $700 and $8,000. In contrast, major renovations for these spaces can vary from $7,000 to $41,000, depending on the specific remodeling undertaken.

Although home renovations can be costly, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is awarding home modification grants to local communities to help more older adults with limited incomes age in place.

Fortunately, not all houses require extensive renovations.

“If they have a first-floor bedroom and bathroom, they won’t have to put in an elevator or chair lift unless they use a home office or laundry room upstairs,” said Gold, who holds a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) designation from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

Older adults who are not sure about the home improvements they need can consult a CAPS professional, such as Gold, or an occupational therapist. The NAHB website has a searchable database of CAPS professionals.

It’s Never Too Early to Prepare to Age in Place

Generation X (those born between 1965 and 1980) may not be ready to retire now, but a Boston Globe article examined the types of homes that those in their mid-to-late 50s may want to have when they retire.

The most important factor to consider is making sure the house is primarily limited to a single floor and has an open floor plan, which can significantly improve accessibility.

Brian Harvey, owner of Harvey Home Modifications in Natick, helps Boston-area seniors turn their existing living quarters into retirement-friendly homes.

“In most of our remodeling, we use a design technique called Universal Design,” Harvey told the Boston Globe. “That essentially is a design that will serve anyone of any physical capability in the house.”

For individuals planning to move to another house, Harvey recommends ensuring that door frames are wide enough to accommodate current or future wheelchair users.

When searching for a new home, it’s beneficial to seek out properties that do not require renovations, the article said. Homebuyers should also consult with contractors to explore potential renovations if the house is missing the type of accessibility features that homebuyers want.

The Five Most Important Areas Needing Home Renovations

According to Nancy Berlinger, a senior researcher focusing on aging populations at The Hastings Center, a bioethics research institute, only four percent of the housing stock in the United States is accessible for older adults. More is needed for the 88 percent of adults who say they would prefer to age in place in their own homes or in the home of a family member or friend, according to the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

This means that homeowners who want to age in place safely will need to upgrade or renovate their homes.

The following are five areas in a house that aging experts say should take top priority:

1. Bathroom

The bathroom is one of the most frequently used rooms in a house. Unfortunately, it’s also where most falls occur, primarily because floors can get wet and slippery, and people must lift their legs to step into the bathtub. Since older adults have trouble with balance and mobility, they need more space in the bathroom.

Changes that can improve bathroom safety include:

Adding a curbless or threshold-free shower stall. Ideally, the shower should have a bench attached to the wall so adults can shower while sitting down.
Installing higher toilets
Installing grab bars
Replacing shower heads with handheld nozzles
Replacing faucet knobs with lever handles, which are easier to grip and open

2. Kitchen

Kitchens in older homes with small spaces may need to be renovated to accommodate wheelchairs. Other changes may include:

Lowering countertops to a height more comfortable for wheelchair users
Installing glass-front cabinet doors to improve visibility
Replacing knobs with handles on cabinets and drawers
Adding rolling trays or lazy Susans to the bottom cabinets to quickly access items
Adding pull-down shelves to existing upper cabinets so everything is within reach

3. and 4. Entryways and Hallways

It’s possible that older adults may need a wheelchair or walker one day, but many older homes were not designed to accommodate these devices. The standard minimum size of a hallway is 36 inches wide. According to data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study, 7 out of 100 older adults in the United States use a wheelchair, and the probability of needing one increases with age. This is why hallways need to have adequate space for mobility devices. There should also be a wheelchair-accessible entrance and exit on the house, such as a permanent ramp or an angled entry plate fastened to the floor.

5. Flooring

The flooring material should be attached to the floor to prevent sliding and tripping. Be careful with area rugs because they are a common cause of trips and falls. Additionally, tile and carpeted areas should avoid creating stumbling hazards where they meet.

PACE Offers Services To Seniors Aging in Place

Aging in place involves not only older adults but also their family members and caregivers, who worry about them living alone and staying safe. Some communities, however, offer the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), which helps people 55 and over maintain their independence. The good news is that Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay cover a wide range of PACE services. What’s more, the program does not have co-pays, deductibles, or coverage gaps.

PACE provides medical care delivered by healthcare professionals, physical, occupational, and recreational therapy, as well as dental, hearing, and vision care. PACE also offers meal delivery, home health and home care services, social work counseling, and transportation to the PACE Center and to medical appointments.

In a way, PACE is an alternative to nursing home care. Adult children who are worried about their parents’ ability to age in place safely due to health issues can check if their loved ones meet the criteria for their local PACE program.

Source Links:

https://www.pressreader.com/usa/kiplinger-personal-finance/20241112/281951728296317
https://www.housingwire.com/articles/gen-x-homebuyers-should-prioritize-aging-in-place/
https://money.com/home-renovations-prepare-for-retirement/
https://www.missionhealth.org/locations/carepartners-pace