The Best Home Modifications for Seniors Aging in Place

Learn more about how to transform your house into your dream home. The biggest question around aging in the modern age is not what it will look like, but rather where it will happen. A 2018 AARP survey found that while 76% of Americans age 50 and older said they would prefer to remain in their current residence, only 46% anticipated being able to do so. Experts agree, however, that if the right measures are taken, aging in place can improve quality of life, which also has a significant impact on physical health.

The path to a safe aging-in-place plan doesn’t have to be complicated. We cover the most common home renovation components that can make aging in place safe, cost-effective, and enjoyable.

Doorway Modifications

Modern doorways aren’t built to accommodate wheelchairs, walkers or other medical equipment. For those who rely on mobile medical equipment, widening doorways can make a home much safer and easier to navigate. The National Association of Home Builders requires at least 32-inches of clear width across any interior doorway for aging-in-place design. Widening your interior doorways can be a fairly unobtrusive renovation; sometimes all that is required is the removal of the door and doorframe to gain the additional space that will make a doorway accessible. In places where this either isn’t an option or where it doesn’t give you the optimal amount of space, you’ll want to consider contacting a contractor to ensure that your renovation goes smoothly.

Kitchen Modifications

For those experiencing decreased mobility due to age or another condition, counter height and the placement of kitchen appliances can become a detriment to independence. Building a kitchen remodel plan around lowered counters and adjusted placement of hard-to-reach appliances can make a kitchen accessible and enjoyable for years to come. Additionally, many of these adjustments can be executed in a way that is highly functional for everyone in the family and aesthetically pleasing to boot. Houzz outlines some aging-in-place kitchen designs that will be inspiring to even the most discerning remodeler.

Bathroom Modifications

Bathrooms can easily be transformed from areas with lurking risks and dangers to safe and functional spaces. One of the most helpful renovations for those aging in place is replacing standard bathroom tubs with larger walk-in showers that make for an easier entry and exit. The addition of non-slip floors and grab bars can also provide enormous benefits in these spaces.

Ramp Modifications

Though ramps are most commonly added to homes when a resident becomes a wheelchair user, this isn’t the only practical use for this type of modification. Elderly residents often find it useful to install indoor threshold ramps and other similar modifications to mitigate the risk of trips and falls. Regardless of the type of modification you’d like to install, a licensed contractor will know how to install a ramp of the correct height and rise.

Ready to get started on a dream renovation project that will keep you comfortable in your home for years to come? Contact us to see how we can help you complete your project on time and under budget.

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With years of experience in both commercial construction and residential construction, Alpha Omega Contractors is your go-to construction company in Southern California. Our experts take on projects ranging from residential kitchen remodels, bathroom remodels, and home renovations to commercial construction upgrades and improvements. As a trusted Orange County contractor and Los Angeles County contractor, we help bring your home remodel wish list and home renovation dreams to life. Whether you need help with a residential floor plan or an upgrade to your medical office or retail space, our team of general contractors, designers, and design-build experts will collaborate with you from the initial stages of pre-construction through to putting the finishing touches on your dream remodel project on time and within budget.