Home Improvements for Aging Homeowners
Aging in Place with Universal Design
As the population of Americans aged 65 and older continues to grow, more homeowners are looking for ways to remain comfortable, safe, and independent in their homes as they age. As with anything that gains in population or popularity, new home solutions have emerged for homeowners looking to remain in their homes as they age gracefully.
In past generations, it was assumed that when an individual or a couple reached a certain age, they were expected to live in a senior living community, retirement home, or move in with their children. That is not necessarily the case anymore. Many seniors still enjoy an active and high-quality retirement, and it isn’t always necessary to give up their autonomy or their home.
A growing specialty within the remodeling industry called Aging in Place or Universal Design allows active seniors to stay in their homes longer. Aging in Place / Universal Design is a design approach that seeks to create home environments and systems that can be used by as many people as possible and adapts the home to the physical needs of its occupants.
Home Safety Features for Seniors
Sea Pointe Design & Remodel works with Universal Design techniques such as installing a barrier-free walk-in shower in the bathroom, adding motion sensor lights to all the rooms in the house, placing aesthetically pleasing grab bars in the bedrooms and bathrooms for balance and assistance, putting in a lift on stairs, ensuring wheelchair access with proper clearances, and even installing an elevator between floors.
The National Kitchen and Bath Association provides Aging in Place design education and certification services. Sea Pointe Design & Remodel has several certified Aging in Place / Universal Design specialists on staff to help you design and construct a home remodel tailored to your family’s specific needs. You may consider this remodel in stages as you age gracefully in the home you love. You may want to begin by incorporating universal design features into your bathroom, as wet surfaces can increase the risk of slips and falls at any age. Next may be the kitchen as it’s where plenty of time is spent. Ask your Universal Design expert how to plan your Aging in Place remodel to best fit your needs.
What is Aging in Place?
Aging in Place focuses on helping you live in the residence of your choice as you age, while getting any services or support you need as your needs change over time. However, it is more than just that. The goal of an elderly person (or anyone) wanting to age in place should be to maintain and/or improve their quality of life. To do that, create a good plan as early as possible that focuses on your quality of life and covers yourself, your home, finances, care, and other items. You should maintain your plan over time as your situation changes.
Aging Changes
Aging brings changes to us all. As a person begins their aging-in-place experience, it is important to consider and plan for the changes that will happen and how they will affect their life. As we age, our bodies and capabilities change. Examples of changes you may experience are:
- Reduced vision
- Decreased muscle strength or endurance
- Changes in memory or cognitive processing
- Increased risk of falls due to balance issues
- Increased risk of illness
- Reduced hearing
- Decreased mobility
These changes happen to almost everyone in one form or another. Knowing this and choosing a plan to age in place gives you a better chance to maintain your quality of life and independence. Recent advances in medical services now make nurses available to come to your home, helping you stay independent for years to come.
These changes can be seen in an elderly person’s daily life. While your physical capabilities lessen and demands change, this can impact many of your daily activities, such as:
- Getting around your home easily
- Driving safely
- Transportation
- Socializing
- Home upkeep
- Health maintenance
- Many others
Planning also presents you with an opportunity to lessen the burden on your family by outlining how and where your needs are met. When you are ready to design your home for Aging in Place / Universal Design, let us know. This is one of our many remodeling certifications and areas of expertise. Be sure to request an Aging in Place specialist to get your project rolling.