The majority of people purchase several properties in their lifetime; eventually settling on one that should do them into old age.
However, the features that make your house initially seem so attractive can also be very negative as you age. If you have no intention of moving then it’s important that you take steps now to prepare your home so that you can age in place.
It’s not as difficult as you may think.
- Consider The Stairs
The stairs can be an issue for many older people. As your joints stiffen and hip problems start to appear you may not feel safe using the stairs. That’s why you need to consider them now.
In fact it’s not the stairs that are the issue; they will be built to regulations. What you need to consider is the right balustrade design.
The right design will allow you to fit a stair lift in the future; if it is necessary. It will also give you a strong support that can be easily grabbed as you climb the stairs daily.
Fortunately this design can also look good today, when you don’t need its support. Glass is proving to be one of the most popular options at the moment but you can use virtually any material for balustrade design.
- The Bathroom
As you age you’re probably not going to want to lift your leg up and over the side of a bath just to take a shower. A great and surprisingly easy remodeling project is to remove the bath and replace it with a curbless shower. Add in a slip resistant floor and a few strategically positioned hand rails and you’ll feel safe using the bathroom by yourself regardless of how old you get.
If you use a wheelchair or may use one in the future it’s a good idea to fit a roll under sink.
- Your Kitchen
Remodel your kitchen today to make sure there is plenty of space to get round it; this is especially useful if you’re in a wheelchair. The oven should be wall mounted to ensure ease of access; you don’t want to be bending down to get hot food out of the oven.
In addition consider drawers instead of cupboards; they are generally less work and make it easier to find things.
- Entrance Ways
If you have stairs up to your front or back door then you need to think about them now. A good balustrade can help but you may wish to pair this with a gentle slope; this will reduce the likelihood of you tripping and minimize the strain n your knees as you go up and down the stairs.
You should also consider the size of your internal doorways. No one wants to end up in a wheelchair but if this were to happen are your doorways wide enough to allow you to move around the house? If they are not you may wish to consider widening them.Remodeling
