5 Home Renovations That Can Help Seniors Age in Place

The time has again come for an entire generation to enter their sunset years. As of 2024, the youngest Baby Boomers have entered their 60s. This generation remains the second-largest in the US after millennials.

Most Baby Boomers prefer to age in place or at home. This allows them to maintain their independence, live in a familiar environment, and stay connected to their loved ones and community.

While aging in place is ideal, it may require some necessary changes to the home. With age comes various physical limitations which make it imperative to have a new lifestyle. Seniors must live in a new environment where issues like vision impairments, reduced mobility, and cognitive challenges are considered.

Though there can be many sides to it, a major one is home renovations. In this article, we will discuss five basic changes/additions that can be made to make a home senior-friendly. They will, for the most part, allow older adults to age peacefully in place.

Adding a Wheelchair Ramp

A wheelchair ramp is essentially a sloped surface that allows people in a wheelchair to move freely. Also known as an inclined plane, a wheelchair ramp eliminates the need for climbing up and down the stairs.

Such an addition is useful even if no one may require it at the moment. The ramp can replace stairs or be installed in addition to it. You may find various types, including threshold, portable, and modular ramps.

Let’s see how this renovation can benefit senior homes –

• Those with mobility issues can easily access all areas of the property, including the outdoor spaces and entrances. Such accessibility is crucial for a good quality of life.
• Another important aspect is safety, which is often a major concern with older adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that at least one in four seniors fall every year. Out of them, less than half consult with a doctor. Falling once increases subsequent risks. A wheelchair ramp would eliminate that risk.
• Even during old age, autonomy and control are basic needs. A wheelchair ramp provides that sense of independence.

Replacing Flooring With Non-Slip Materials

Non-slip or slip-resistant flooring is a type in which the surface is textured. This helps in creating friction that prevents a slip and fall accident.

Would it be worth replacing the entire flooring to make the home senior-friendly? Yes, absolutely; let’s understand this with the help of an example. Suppose a senior couple decides to move to Knoxville, Tennessee after their retirement.

This city is indeed popular among retirees, especially seniors, due to its welcoming community, beautiful natural surroundings, and affordable cost of living. Its standard of living is 13% lower than the national average.

While looking for an ideal home, they find that the floor is a bit too slippery. It could be made using hardwood, glazed tiles, or vinyl. Apart from that, the rest of the house is up to their liking.

Why give up a good property simply for slippery flooring? It would be best to contact reliable contractors in Knoxville and replace the flooring. There can be many options to choose from based on preference and budget, including polyurethane resin, textured tiles, bamboo, or rubber.

Instating a Walk-in Shower

Even though maintaining bathtubs is difficult, they continue to be a standard feature in American homes. However, the scenario may have changed a bit due to the shrinking home size.

High mortgage rates are pushing Americans to embrace smaller homes. Due to space efficiency, folks are shifting their focus toward showers instead of bathtubs. In case your home has one, that’s great.

If not, installing a walk-in shower may be necessary. It would be a far safer option given the following reasons –

• Access to a lower step-over height
• More stable standing position
• In-built grab bars
• Room for a shower seat
• Open and spacious layout
• Lower risk of slipping, especially with the placement of non-slip mats

Not only that but expert contractors will be able to turn the place into a sanctuary. According to Preferred Construction LLC, a bathroom is a space that should not only be functional but also a tranquil retreat. You can even have the flooring and walls changed if the existing ones are slippery and outdated.

Widening Doorways

In America, most interior doors have a width between 24 and 36 inches. However, the standard width is 30 inches. To make it senior-friendly, a home’s door should be wider than 30 inches.

If a senior ever requires a wheelchair or any other mobility service, the door must be at least 36 inches. Widening a doorway is a good idea now instead of later.

Typically, it would require replacing the existing frame and adding drywall, paint, and some form of insulation. In some cases, even electrical rewiring may be needed. Though an interior door can be widened in a few hours, the additional processes may take one or two days to complete.

Installing Grab Bars

Another useful addition to consider is grab bars at slippery places like bathrooms. They are safety devices used to help people maintain their balance and avoid fall accidents.

Even if an older adult does not develop any major health conditions, their mobility will gradually reduce. At best, they may walk slowly and require external support.

Grab bars in bathrooms, hallways, and staircases will make it easier to move around safely. Senior adults will also have the much-needed autonomy to go where they please. These bars come in a variety of sizes.

You can choose heavy-duty ones in stainless steel for durability and maximum support. Look around your home and carefully decide which places you would like to have grab bars installed.

Finally, let’s talk a bit about the different financing options. Some renovations may be heavier on the pockets than others. Senior homeowners need not always break their retirement corpus to fund the necessary changes.

They have other options like a credit card, a home equity line of credit, or a personal loan. Your choice will depend on factors like the cost of the project, the current mortgage rate, and how much equity is available on the home.

In any case, the above-discussed renovations become imperative after a certain age. They will keep seniors safe, happy, and in touch with their communities.