AARP reports that 90% of Americans over the age of 65 want to stay in their current home. Sadly, the home you purchased in your forties or fifties may not serve you the same way four decades later. But home remodeling in your later years is still possible.
Home Remodeling in Your Later Years
If you hope to “age in place,” then your best chance is to remodel your home to fit the needs of an elderly person long before that becomes a necessity. With that in mind, let’s look at the steps you can take to remodel your home so that it will continue to serve your needs for the rest of your life.
Swap Out Door Knobs for Levers
You probably don’t think about it very often, but your grip strength will likely decrease substantially as you reach an advanced age. Lever-shaped door handles are much easier to use, as they can be operated with a flat palm or even an elbow. This is a relatively cheap change to your home that will make it much easier for you to get around in your 80s and 90s.
Replace High Maintenance Countertops
You don’t want to have to use tremendous amounts of elbow grease to clean, polish, and seal high-maintenance countertops in your golden years. If you’re looking for a gorgeous, easy-to-maintain alternative consider Neolith sintered stone. Their sintered stone slabs can be designed to evoke practically any aesthetic with none of the downsides associated with sintered stone, all while improving the value of your home.
Consider Making Your Kitchen ADA Compliant
You may never end up in a wheelchair permanently, but there may be a day when you need to use one for at least a few hours to give yourself a break. It’s very common, so you should consider making your kitchen and major doorways ADA compliant. Doing it sooner rather than later will make sure that your home is ready for every eventuality.
Install Sensor Faucets
About 50% of people over the age of 65 report arthritis symptoms. It’s a degenerative disease, so it is best to take steps to ensure your comfort now. Sensor faucets in your kitchen and bathroom will remove one more painful task from your daily routine, allowing you to enjoy your everyday life in comfort.
Put a Pull-Down Seat in the Shower
Sitting down in the shower is a luxury we can all enjoy, so why not install a pull-down seat now? As you get older, a pull-down seat will make it easier to thoroughly bathe yourself, maintaining an important piece of your independence. In the meantime, you can use it to create your own, personal spa experience.
Install Grab Bars in the Bathroom
Bathroom grab bars are a good idea at any age, especially if you’re on the clumsy side. Installing them in a home where you plan to spend the rest of your life is absolutely necessary. There’s no reason to risk a dangerous and painful fall that could deprive you of independence, when a few sturdy bars are all you need.
Put in Non-Slip Floors
If you have tile or another high-risk flooring for seniors, then you may want to consider swapping out flooring in high-traffic areas. Rubber and cork are some softer options, but you can find non-slip flooring options in the laminate and linoleum categories as well. These are best suited to your kitchen and bathroom. Carpeting is a safe option for the rest of your home, but you will need to have someone available to vacuum them eventually.
Replace Steps with Ramps
Once again, this is optional. Some seniors are more than capable of making it up a few steps well into their 80s and 90s. Others aren’t. If you’re concerned that you may have mobility issues, you should look into replacing steps with ADA-compliant ramps.
It sounds like a lot, especially when you’re still enjoying life to the fullest without restrictions. Taking just a few of these proactive measures and making them a reality could significantly improve your chances of staying in your home as you become older. Try home remodeling in your later years today with Neolith sintered stone.