Renovations for an Aging Home

Are you contemplating moving out of your home into a senior living community or assisted living because you feel as though your home is too much work to keep up? Or is it no longer safe or accommodating for you? Below is a list of a few renovations you should consider in order to avoid a premature move.

Exterior

  • Create a low-maintenance exterior (paint, shrubs, plants)
  • Deck, patio or balcony surfaces should be no more than ½ inch below interior floor level if made of wood
  • Add a covered carport if you don’t have a garage
  • Keep in mind- wider than average carports can accommodate lifts on vans
  • Door heights may need to be 9 feet to accommodate some raised roof vans
  • Add a ramp to doorway if needed
  • Make sure you have handrail if there are any steps

Entryways, Hallways & Stairways

  • Add at least one, no-step, covered entryway into home
  • Add sensor light at exterior no-step entry, focusing on the front-door lock
  • ALL DOORS should be 32 inches of clear width, which requires a 36-inch doors
  • Smooth, non-glare, slip-resistant surfaces are important in interior and exterior of your home
  • Widen hallways to a minimum of 36 inches wide
  • All hallways should be well lit
  • Make sure you have plenty of windows for natural light
  • All windows should be easy to open and close
  • Add hand rails on both sides of all stairways, 1 ¼ inches in diameter
  • Be sure you have color/texture contracts to indicate where there is a change in surface levels

Living Areas

  • Adjust counter heights
  • Lower cabinetry
  • Accented stripes on edge of countertops to provide visual orientation to the workspace
  • Add roll out trays and/or lazy susan in lower cabinets
  • Open shelving for easy access to frequently used items
  • Raise washing machine and dryer 12 to 15 inches above floor
  • Use front loading laundry machines
  • Place microwave oven at counter height or in wall
  • Use side-by-side refrigerator/freezer
  • Raise dishwasher
  • Use electric cook top with level burners for safety in transferring between the burners, front controls and downdraft feature to pull heat away from user; and light to indicate when surface is hot
  • Add pull-out spray faucet; levered handles
  • In multi-story homes, laundry chute or laundry facilities in master bedroom
  • Add at least one wheelchair maneuverable bath on main level with 60-inch turning radius or acceptable T-turn space and 36-inch by 36-inch or 30-inch by 48-inch clear space
  • Add grab bars around tub, shower, shower seat and toilet
  • If stand-up shower is used in main bath, should be curbless and minimum of 36 inches wide
  • Add fold down seat in the shower
  • Add adjustable/ handheld showerheads with at least 6-foot hose
  • Add light in shower stall
  • Toilets should be 2 ½ inches higher than standard toilet (17 to 19 inches)
  • Ensure you have slip-resistant flooring in bathroom and shower

Electrical, Lighting, Safety and Security

  • Add light switches by each entrance to halls and rooms
  • Light switches, thermostats and other environmental controls should be placed in accessible locations no higher than 48 inches from floor
  • Add audible and visual strobe light system to indicate when the doorbell, telephone, smoke or carbon dioxide detectors are activated
  • Install Pre-programmed thermostats
  • Have your home wired for security and directly linked to police, fire and EMS

References:

This list was provided by NAHB Research Center’s Toolbase.org. Follow the link below for the original list:

http://www.toolbase.org/Home-Building-Topics/Universal-Design/aging-in-place-checklists