Last Updated on December 21, 2020
More than ever, seniors want to age in place at home, rather than go to an assisted living facility or nursing home. Not only are they comfortable in their own space, but in a post-pandemic world, aging in place can be safer from a health standpoint.
But from a safety standpoint, there may be some modifications that have to occur for an elderly person to safely age in place. Even if they have a visiting nurse or someone that looks in on them daily, there are times where there will be no one else in the home, so aging in place renovations should be a consideration, particularly if the person has mobility issues. Read on to learn more about aging in place remodeling ideas, and how to help make a home or apartment safe for a loved one.
Aging in Place Remodeling: Accessibility
One of the biggest concerns when it comes to aging in place solutions is accessibility. You may need to widen a doorway for a wheelchair or scooter to fit through, or you may need to consider accessibility issues in the kitchen, such as lowering the counter height of kitchen cabinets for someone who is now spending more time in a kitchen or scooter.
Bathroom accessibility is also a major concern for aging in place remodeling, and this is the room most focused on. You want to make sure that the toilet and shower/tub are easily accessible and that your loved one can access them all without the aid of someone else. This may mean installing entirely new units.
Accessibility also means being able to access the second floor in a home, if there is one, and to get in and out of the home. In this case, stairlifts and wheelchair ramps are must-haves to ensure that the home is entirely accessible.
Aging in Place Remodeling: Safety Concerns
When it comes to aging in place design and remodeling, another main topic of discussion is safety concerns. When it comes to safety, there are small aging in place products you can add, such as anti-slip pads and grips in the tub and shower, but there are other things to consider as well. Some safety items to consider include:
- Anti-scalding temperature sensors in the tub and shower
- Wall ovens with doors that open to the side rather than the front
- Illuminated wall switches for safety
- Replace doorknobs with levers
- Extra smoke detectors and fire extinguishers
- Labels on all medications
- Non-breakable glasses
These may all seem like small concerns and not large aging in place remodeling efforts, but these can make a big difference when it comes to the safety of your loved one.
Aging in Place Remodeling: What Are the Costs?
When it comes to remodeling, it depends largely on the level of remodeling you’re doing. As a person ages, more remodeling may need to be performed; for example, you may not need stairlifts at the outset, but you may need them later on. One of the pricier remodeling efforts is the widening of hallways, which can cost upwards of $40,000. One of the more common aging in place remodeling projects, which is redoing the bathroom, can range anywhere from $2,500 to $25,000, depending on the remodeling complexity.
To learn more about aging in place remodeling, or to hear about mobility products that can be life-changing, such as stairlifts or wheelchair ramps, contact us today at Williams Lift Co. We want both patients and their caregivers to live their best lives.