Statistics indicate that 1 in 6 American folks are aged 65 today, and that’s enough reason for you to remodel your living space to be more accessible. Make your house safer for older people and individuals who use wheelchairs. That’s how you create a refreshing and comfortable space for yourself when you grow older, enhancing your quality of life.
Making Your Home More Accessible
Making your home accessible is a great investment in your future. You can also make your house a comfy area for guests with special needs and improve the general safety of your home. So, here are some amazing ways to make your house accessible and safer for everyone.
1. Install A Shower At Home
It’s not surprising that bathroom slips and falls are the most common causes of injuries among aged and disabled individuals. One-third of older adults will slip and fall in a given year; 8 in 10 of these injuries happen in the bathroom alone. So, is there a way to make bathrooms safer for everyone?
Well, you should consider replacing your bathtub with a shower, which is much easier to get in and out of when you’re old. Also, you may install grab bars and shower chairs to a shower, making old folks more mobile when they’re bathing. You may try adding a walk-in, roll-in, or even barrier-free shower.
Look for bathroom remodeling and upgrading to work on this project. Search online to see who offers the best (and the most affordable) bathtub to shower conversion projects. Get quotes from different contractors and replace that hazardous old bathtub with a slip-resistant, all-accessible clean shower.
2. Widen Your Doorways
The hallmark of every accessible building is wide doorways, giving individuals who use wheelchairs more freedom to explore the premises. Similarly, people with walkers will appreciate if you widen your small doorways, stretching them to be 25 to 36 inches at least.
Wider doorways can accommodate all kinds of wheelchairs, easing your burden down the unexpected road of aging. If you intend to grow old in this house, then this is the most crucial home renovation project for you.
3. Install Handrails For Support
Instead of going with other cost-prohibitive, fancy accessibility solutions, add enough handrails and grab bars to your home. It is an inexpensive but long-lasting investment to increase your home’s overall value.
Handrails will make your bedroom and bathroom much safer and accessible for older people. Install them in an area with the most activity. Also, make sure grab bars are 33 to 36 inches off the ground. You better check government resources or consult the IRC’s recommendations for traditional stairwell railings.
4. Make Your Floors Rug-Free
Rugs are not the best thing to put on your floors. People using walkers and wheelchairs would prefer it if you just removed these linens and created smoother, low-maintenance flooring in your home.
Similarly, be careful about the risk of slipping and falling on the floor. Home reno experts don’t condone using high-gloss hardwood flooring for aged homeowners. If you still insist on spreading a carpet, then it is better to go with a very tight-pile rug to make sure the floor doesn’t become a slipping hazard.
5. Create An Accessible Kitchen
Data shows that just 1 in 10 U.S. homes are aging-ready. That’s probably because not many residences in the country have an accessible kitchen. How do you make your kitchen safer for the elderly and people with special needs? Well, we might have some suggestions for you:
- Invest in ADA-compliant kitchen appliances to make this essential space safer for everyone. Don’t have cabinets that are too high, and lower the countertops to promote wheelchair-accessibility.
- You can also just skip the whole pullout-cabinet layout. Instead, use drawers that are easier to use and make contents more visible. Drawer handles are also far easier to use than cabinet doorknobs.
- Leaning to plug in your electronics can be a major pain for senior citizens. So, you should install some outlets 15 to 48 inches above the ground instead of the traditional 12 inches. This way, seniors won’t have to bend forward to plug in their phones.
6. Balance Contrast And Brightness
Brightness
Ample daylight is important for an elderly person’s well-being. Natural light prevents depression and keeps a person in high spirits. Also, the elderly need more brightness than youngsters to read. Your 80-year-old grandma won’t be able to read easily under “normal” lighting conditions. So, illuminate your home by:
- Install small yet powerful lamps in the corners
- Using durable, long-lasting LEDs all over the house
- Strategically place mirrors to enhance light coming from LEDs
Contrast
An aging person has a hard time telling one color from another due to a declining contrast perception. So, refrain from painting a single room all-white. Instead, you have to make sure the color of the kitchen floor contrasts with the countertops. The same goes for the furniture and handrails.
7. Take Help From Technology
Incorporating technology into your living space can make life easier for everyone in your home. Tech gadgets bring a certain level of comfort and convenience to a smart home’s occupants. So, here are some ways technology is the best way to make your residence an accessible haven:
- Install a smart thermostat controlled with an app
- A video doorbell will help you see who’s out there
- Add remote-controlled ceiling fans and lighting fixtures
- A smart fridge that can keep track of your family’s health
- Smart locks to prevent criminals from entering the premises
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking to live in your current home or resell it, turning it into a welcoming and all-accessible space should be your topmost priority. You can do that by replacing steps with ramps and replacing your bathtub with a safe option, i.e., a shower. Go for a low-maintenance floor, remodel your kitchen for better accessibility, and leverage technology to enhance the safety of your home.
These simple tips will guide you toward a home that’s welcoming, secure, and universally accessible.
