Aging in Place Remodeling: Home Modifications for Comfort and Accessibility
Many older adults want to remain in the home they know and love as they get older. Aging in place allows seniors to stay close to family, friends, and their community while maintaining comfort and independence.
If you or a loved one is considering aging in place, thoughtful home modifications for seniors can create a safer, more comfortable, and accessible living environment. Aging in place remodeling can include bathroom remodeling, kitchen remodeling, improved lighting, accessible entrances, wider doorways, safer flooring, and other senior-friendly home improvements.
Bernhardt’s Remodeling Center can help homeowners plan senior home remodeling projects designed around changing needs and lifestyles.Add lighting.
Update or add light fixtures to poorly lit areas to help decrease the risk of falls. LED lighting under cabinetry is a great way to light up countertop spaces and improve visibility.
What Is Aging in Place Remodeling?
Aging in place remodeling focuses on modifying a home so it remains functional and accessible as needs change. Common improvements include walk-in showers, grab bars, accessible cabinets, pull-out shelves, improved lighting, lever-style door handles, wider doorways, and easier-to-navigate entrances.
Planning ahead can make everyday activities easier while helping homeowners remain comfortably in their homes.
How Can You Improve Bathroom Accessibility?
The bathroom is an important area to consider when planning an aging in place bathroom remodel. Wet surfaces, traditional bathtubs, and changing mobility can make the bathroom more challenging to navigate.
Accessible bathroom remodeling may include:
Walk-in or curbless showers
Shower benches or seats
Properly installed grab bars
Handheld showerheads
Comfort-height toilets
Easy-to-operate faucets
Improved lighting
Slip-resistant flooring
A walk-in shower remodel can eliminate the need to step over a traditional bathtub wall and make entering the shower easier.
What Kitchen Modifications Help Seniors?
An aging in place kitchen remodel can make cooking and cleaning more convenient. Pull-out shelves can make cabinets easier to access, while a raised dishwasher can reduce bending.
Other accessible kitchen remodeling ideas include improved lighting, easier-to-use cabinet hardware, accessible storage, and lower sections of countertops when appropriate.
How Can You Improve Overall Home Accessibility?
Home accessibility remodeling may include widening doorways, improving transitions between rooms, modifying entrances, and creating easier pathways for walkers or wheelchairs.
Better lighting throughout hallways, stairways, bathrooms, and kitchens can also improve visibility. Lever-style handles can be easier to operate than traditional round doorknobs.
Aging in Place Remodeling in Rochester and Surrounding Counties
If you are considering aging in place remodeling in Rochester, NY, Bernhardt’s Remodeling Center can help you explore practical home modifications designed around your needs.
We serve homeowners throughout Monroe County, Ontario County, Livingston County, and Steuben County, NY. Our senior home remodeling services can include accessible bathroom remodeling, kitchen remodeling, custom cabinetry, flooring, storage solutions, and other accessibility improvements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are common aging in place home modifications?
Common modifications include walk-in showers, grab bars, accessible cabinets, pull-out shelves, improved lighting, wider doorways, and accessible entrances.
What is an aging in place bathroom remodel?
An aging in place bathroom remodel can include a walk-in shower, shower seating, grab bars, accessible faucets, improved lighting, and comfort-height fixtures.
Can an existing home be made wheelchair accessible?
Depending on the home's structure, wheelchair accessibility modifications may include wider doorways, accessible bathrooms, modified kitchens, ramps, and improved pathways.
When should I plan an aging in place remodel?
Planning ahead can allow homeowners to incorporate aging in place modifications into a larger remodeling project before accessibility becomes difficult.
Bernhardt’s Remodeling Center can help you create a more comfortable, functional, and accessible home. Contact us for a free design consultation to discuss your aging in place remodeling project.