Aging in Place Gracefully with Key Home Renovations

As the baby boomer generation reaches retirement age, they are turning the idea of “retiring” on its head. Rather than moving into retirement communities or into assisted living facilities, many are opting to age in place. A recent study by the AARP has found that nearly 90% of American age 55 and over want to stay in their current residence as long as they possibly can.

With this desire comes a need for specific home renovations. The National Association of Home Builders has reported that the “aging in place” section of the population has become one of the fastest growing segments of the home remodeling industry. Armed with this information, here are four key home remodeling ideas that will allow you to remain in your home comfortably as you age.

1. Bathroom Renovations: Certainly, the bathroom is one key location in the home where accommodations need to be made for the elderly. There are many easy and inexpensive ways to ensure added safety and to aid those who are dealing with arthritis and more. Installing both a grab bar and a shower basket in the shower or tub will significantly aid the elderly. The grab bar allows for safe entry and exit from the shower, and for a firm location to grab onto should you feel yourself slipping. The shower basket ensures that all bathing products are in one, easy-to-reach location and that they aren’t on the shower floor where someone might trip over them. Companies like Smedbo and Creative Specialties manufacture these durable and dependable shower aids.


2. Kitchen Renovations: While not everyone would consider this, knobs are actually much more difficult to use for the elderly than are cabinet pulls. If you have arthritis, or have a difficult time grasping objects, you’ll find it easier to do so when given a wider area to grasp. For this reason, cabinet hardware knobs should be replaced with lever handles and cabinet pulls on the cabinets, drawers, doors and appliances. This will create a much easier way for the elderly to maneuver around the kitchen and to stay independent.


3. Lighting: Seniors need more light than do younger people. Too much white light, however, can cause problems with glare. For this reason, seniors who are aging in place should use fluorescent colors and should include more directed lighting. Add under the counter lighting in the kitchen; include scones on either side of the bathroom mirror; add additional lighting near the television and in the eating area. Added lighting helps the elderly to move around more easily, and it cuts down on potential falling and slipping accidents.


4. Laundry Room: In many homes, the laundry room requires the user to ascend and descend stairs. While moving the laundry room is one of the more expensive home remodeling ideas, it can have quite a lasting impact. Move the washer and dryer closer to your bedroom or to the first floor so that you won’t have to go up and down stairs as often.

There are certainly many other home renovations that can enable seniors to enjoy aging in place. Starting with these four key home remodeling ideas will pave the way for a more comfortable, productive home environment for those who want to remain in place and enjoy their retirement years in the comfort of their own bed…at home.