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Remodeling Solutions for Age-In-Place Home Owners - part1

By Ben Shabat

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the ranks of Americans over 65 will swell from the current 35 million to 40 million by 2010. The Association for the Advancement of Retired Persons (AARP) adds that 86 percent of American over 65 plan to remain in their current home for life.

These facts encourage more and more senior citizens to seek creative remodeling solutions to resolve challenges presented to age- in-place home owners such as wheelchair accessibility, bathroom safety, and easy access to storage areas, to name a few.

Whether you are planning minor home improvement or a complete house remodeling project, take the time to think ahead and incorporate age-in-pace solutions into your design. The addition to your construction costs may be up to 3 to 5 percent but at the end you will have an age-in-place ready home.

Common Retrofit Elements

Doorways

Typical width for residential interior doors is 30 inches. This width does not allow a wheelchair to smoothly pass through. Replace the doors and expand your doorway with to 34-36 inches.

As you replace doors, keep in mind that powder rooms, pantries and walk-in closets doors are often narrower than regular doors. You will have to replace these doors too to allow easy access.

Another door related problem that becomes more common as you age is round doorknobs. Consider replacing round doorknobs with levered handles. Various styles of levered handles are available at home improvement centers.

Floors

To allow best wheelchair accessibility, consider replacing carpets with hardwood or laminate floors. These provide less resistance for wheelchairs. If you rather have carpets, install a low pile instead of a thick pile to allow better mobility and maneuverability.

Bathroom

Making changes in your bathroom can have negative resale effect. However, the bathroom is considered dangerous and must be retrofit to provide maximum safety. The first step is installing roll-in showers instead or in addition to the bathtub.

Second, install grab bars to promote safety and independence in the shower. Grab bars now come in various styles, materials, and colors and are attractive as well as functional. It is recommended to install grab bars in a comfortable height, according to your height and specific need.

Ben Shabat is a senior project manager for Remodeling California Inc., a leader in the Home Improvement industry. For more information about House Remodeling, feel free to Email Ben Shabat or call (800) 724-9946.