Want to ‘Age in Place’? Make Sure Your Home has These 6 Things

Nearly 90% of people over age 65 want to stay in their homes for as long as possible, according to research by the National Conference of State Legislatures with AARP Public Policy Institute. But many people make the mistake of waiting until they already have health or mobility issues before renovating their home to accommodate their increasing age. Here is a list of a few projects or design changes that your home may require to live your golden years in your home comfortably.

• Walk-in Shower
  • A walk-in shower can be a modern replacement to a standard shower head over a bathtub, but a customized walk-in shower can cost up to $15,000 or more depending on the size and layout of the bathroom.
• Grab Bars
  • If a walk-in shower is not an option or you simply can’t get rid of your beloved bathtub, a grab bar can me an easy fix. Also having a grab bar in other areas of your home is a good idea to prevent falls in other rooms.
• First-Floor Master Suite
  • This will alleviate the necessity of constantly going up stairs to your bedroom and prevent arthritic pain and falls.
• Door Lever Handles
  • For those with arthritis, even turning a doorknob can be painful. Changing out knobs to levers can be a solution.
• Carpeting
  • Not only is carpeting less slippery than tile, wood, or laminate, it can also cushion the impact of a potential fall.
• Pullout Drawers
  • Pullout drawers in cabinets can be convenient for any age to make dishes and pans more accessible. Using them in below or above the countertop can alleviate the need to bend over or reach over one’s head in the kitchen as often.

See Daniel Bortz, Want to ‘Age in Place’? Make Sure Your Home has These 6 Things. Washington Post, August 8, 2018.

Special thanks to Lewis Saret (Attorney, Washington, D.C.) for bringing this article to my attention.