As they get older, many — even most — Americans prefer to remain in their own homes as long as they can, aka “age in place.” But to do that, many will need to make their residences safer and easier to navigate by making home modifications.
Home modification is the official term (it comes from the Americans with Disabilities Act) for renovations and remodels geared towards the aged or the impaired. It means physically changing your home, removing potential hazards and making it more accessible, so you can continue living in it independently. Examples include anything from installing a shower bench to an entire ground-floor master suite, so you don’t have to walk up and down stairs.
Home modifications can be expensive, typically ranging from $3,000 to $15,000, with the average national spend being $9,500, according to Fixr, the remodeling reference site. But it can be a worthwhile investment.
“What not everyone considers is that you can save money by doing the right home modifications,” says DeDe Jones, a certified financial planner and managing director of Innovative Financial in Lakewood, Colorado. “The longer you can safely live in your home, the less you will need to pay for assisted living care, something that is not cheap.”
Here’s what you need to know about making home modifications for yourself or for loved ones.
Types of home modifications for aging in place
The best aging-in-place home modifications align with “universal design,” an architectural term for features that are easy for all to use and adaptable as needs dictate. This includes additions and changes to the exterior and interior of a home.
Simple home modifications
These can often be DIY jobs.
- Adding easy-grip knobs and pulls, swapping knobs for levers
- Installing adjustable handheld shower heads
- Rearranging furniture for better passage
- Removal of trip hazards such as carpeting or floor saddles
- Installing mats and non-slip floor coverings
More complex home modifications
These probably would need a professional contractor, especially if you want them up to code standards.
- Installing handrails
- Adding automatic lighting outdoors
- Installing automatic push-button doors
- Smoothing out flooring
- Installing doorway ramps
Home modifications by room
- Bathroom: Grab bars and railing, roll- or walk-in shower/tub, shower bench
- Kitchen: higher countertops, lever or touchless faucets, cabinet pull-out shelves
- Bedroom: less-high bed, non-slip floor, walk-in closets, motion-activated light
- Outside the house: ramps, porch or stair lifts, automatic push button doors
- Throughout the house: well-lit and wider …….
Source: https://www.bankrate.com/homeownership/home-modifications-aging-in-place/