As the baby boomer generation grows older, a new building philosophy known as "aging-in-place" is growing in popularity. Aging-in-place means embracing home remodels, additions, building styles, and home improvements that make it possible for aging Americans to stay in their homes, and out of "the home," as long as possible. With seniors (50 years old +) already making up 30% of the population, and with that number expected to double in the next thirty years, it's clear why homeowners across the land are beginning to think ahead and design homes that will allow them to remain independent and at home for as long as possible. Here are five smart aging-in-place remodeling ideas that can make a big difference for any aging homeowner.
1. Stepless Entryways
Few home renovations are simpler, and make more of an impact, than making sure at least one entryway to your home is stepless. Steps become serious obstacles as we age, and nowhere is this more obvious than at your entryways. Easy access to your home means less isolation and more independence for you as you grow older, since both you and your friends will have an easier time coming and going. Furthermore, should you experience a loss of mobility that requires you to use a walker or a wheelchair, having a stepless entryway becomes a necessity, not a luxury.
2. Stepless Homes
Opening up at least one entryway by making it stepless is vital when it comes to aging-in-place. But what about the rest of the home? Indoor steps can be just as much of an obstacle as outdoor ones. As a rule, it's best to design your home so you can live your life on the ground floor. Concentrate major additions or remodels to a single story, and make sure that there is, at the very least, a bathroom, bedroom, and kitchen on the ground floor. If you do live in a multi-story home, consider installing a residential elevator. With one of these beauties in operation, your home will allow you to age in place no matter how stories you have!
3. Aging-In-Place Kitchen Remodels
One of the most innovative areas when it comes to aging-in-place home remodeling is the kitchen. A traditional kitchen can present quite a few obstacles from an aging standpoint: low ovens, slippery floors, high countertops, and hard to reach cabinet space, just to name a few. A kitchen remodel that takes aging-in-place into account is designed to remove those obstacles as much as possible.
Wall ovens and mounted microwaves make for easy access.
Varied countertop heights, from table height on up to standard, make it possible to do kitchen tasks seated or standing up.
Lazy Susans and pull out cabinet drawers make digging through cabinets easy for anyone.
Add to all this lighting improvements and slip-proof flooring, like cork or tumbled stone tile, and your kitchen is sure to be aging-in-place approved.
4. Improved Lighting
As we grow older, our senses dull. It's just a fact of life. Fighting that with home remodeling countermeasures is a big part of the aging-in-place movement. As far as accommodating the senses, improved lighting is the best place to start. For starters, you should think about increasing the general lighting in your home. More ambient light, in the form of overhead and recessed lighting, makes it easier to move around your home safely. Just as important is installing task lighting in high use areas, such as kitchens, offices, and dining areas.
Some task lighting over the dining room table, for example, doesn't just make dinnertime more enjoyable, but makes everything from doing bills to hosting your weekly card game easier in the long run.
Other popular places for task lighting: office desks, kitchen countertops, sewing rooms, and reading areas.
5. A Few Other Ideas
Besides the previously mentioned ideas, remodeling for convenience across the board is a big part of building with aging-in-place in mind. That means making sure everything is easily accessible, from doorways and hallways down to light switches and doorknobs.
Think about widening doorways and hallways to at least 36" to accommodate wheelchairs and handrails. And as for smaller things like outlets and light switches, try to raise everything at least 18" off the floor, but no higher than 40." Also, think about easy improvements like replacing standard light switches with illuminated rocker switches, and switching outdoor knobs with door levers. All make aging easier in the long run.
Hire an Aging-In-Place Specialist
If you're looking for home remodels and home improvements that you, or a loved one, can get rolling in order to keep you at home, talk to an aging-in-place specialist. These experts will be able to fill you in on the newest ideas, most innovative solutions, and have references for contractors that can get the work done for you if they don't do it themselves. Whether you're 35 or 85, if you're looking to stay in your home as long as possible, aging-in-place is a home improvement trend you should definitely get to know.
Matt Goering, formerly a carpenter and house painter, is a freelance writer for the home improvement industry who has published over 600 articles.
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