There comes a time when people reach the older end of the age spectrum. As they get older, their movements get limited. If you have aging relatives living with you, consider an accessibility home remodeling. It can make your house more accessible for people with mobility issues. As such, it can ensure their safety, comfort, and independence. It could be the perfect home improvement project for aging relatives or people with disabilities.
In this guide, we discuss home renovation tips and ideas for aging family members. From improving entryways to installing grab bars and ramps, these ideas will help make houses safer and more accessible for the elderly.
Read on to learn different ways to make a home better for aging or disabled relatives.
What Is Accessible Home Remodeling?
Let’s start by understanding what accessible home remodeling is. It is the process of making your home easier to use for people with limited mobility. It involves specially adapted housing features so that the space is safe and functional for the elderly. Some such features include barrier-free living, easy-to-use bathrooms, ramps, and more.
Accessible home modifications are growing in popularity all over the world. In Q4 2016, over 80% of remodelers reported working on home remodeling for people with disabilities and limited movement. Popular age in place requests included widening doorways and installing non-slip floors.
Benefits of Accessible Home Remodeling
Remodeling for accessibility allows for easier movement throughout your home. It improves safety, comfort, and independence and can even increase a home’s value.
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Safety
Accessibility remodeling makes homes safer. For example, you can consider installing non-slip floors. These are necessary in areas such as kitchens and bathrooms. These additions can protect elderly relatives from falling down and getting injured.
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Comfort
Accessibility modifications offer greater comfort for aging residents. It makes navigating your home less challenging. This means they can move around your home with easier access throughout.
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Independence
Aging residents can get a feeling of independence from disability remodeling. For example, if you make your house wheelchair accessible, it makes moving around your home easier. This can help them feel independent when dealing with mobility challenges.
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Increased Home Value
Disability renovations can add value to your home. If you ever sell your house, these features can attract buyers who need these modifications. According to Bankrate, installing an elevator adds $80,000 to your property value. If you choose to widen doorways, you can add $2,000-$2,500 to your home’s value per door.
10 Accessibility Home Remodeling Ideas for People With Disabilities
There are a number of remodeling options that you can install at your home. The following is our selection of 10 practical remodeling tips. These modifications can make life easier for aging family members:
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Install Stairlifts
Stairlifts are mechanical devices that improve stair usability. These are beneficial for people who have difficulty climbing stairs due to age or disabilities. Contractors can install stairlifts to make different floors more accessible for wheelchair users.
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Update the Bathroom
According to a study, a bathroom is the most common place for fall injuries in a home. This means accessible bathroom modifications are crucial for elderly relatives. As such, we recommend installing non-slip floors and roll-in tubs in your bathrooms. You can also install grab bars near the toilets. This can protect your aging relatives from bathroom accidents and hazards.
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Install Ramps
Install RampsRamps are necessary home modifications for people with disabilities and mobility issues. Aluminum ramps are popular choices, as they are lightweight, durable, and low maintenance. Ideally, ramps should have a minimum width of 36 inches. This can accommodate the accessibility requirements of wheelchairs and power scooters.
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Widen Doorways
Every home with elderly residents should have wider doorways. These are reasonable modifications that improve accessibility for wheelchair users within your home. You may have to remove the entire door and supporting frames when modifying doorways. You can also consider using swing-free hinges. These move the pivot of the hinge and add a few inches to the doorway space.
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Lower Countertops, Sinks, and Cabinets
We recommend lowering your countertops, sinks, and cabinets if you have aging relatives. This will make the kitchen more accessible for people with limited movement. As a result, they will be able to use these facilities with ease. The ideal height for countertops and sinks in these cases should be between 28 and 34 inches.
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Install Non-Slip Flooring
Non-slip flooring reduces the risk of aging family members suffering fall injuries. These flooring options can protect them from bathroom hazards. You can use rubber, textured floor tiles, or carpets with slip-resistant backings. These are all popular materials to make floors safer.
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Update Lighting and Outlets
These are helpful disability home repair and renovation features. You can improve the lighting to ensure better visibility for aging relatives. You can also install motion-sensor solutions to help make their movements easier. Moreover, you can lower outlets and raise switches to grant them easy access.
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Install Lever-Style Door Handles
Lever-style handles are good options for aging family members. These handles need less strength than traditional doorknobs. This means people with arthritis or limited grip strength can use them easily.
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Install Smart Home Technology
As a homeowner, you should consider using smart technology. There are several innovative modifications you can opt for. These include voice-controlled lights, thermostats, emergency response systems, and monitoring tools. These features can make life easier for your elderly family members. Moreover, they can add value to your home.
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Improve Entryways
Finally, we recommend improving your entryways. You can do so by adding automatic doors and zero-step entries. You can also add covered porches to protect entry points from weather conditions. This helps to maintain smooth usability.
Cost Considerations
How much does accessibility home improvement cost? Well, the cost of remodeling projects depends on the specific needs of elderly relatives. For instance, adding grab bars and handrails can cost between $100 and $500 each. On the other hand, installing a stairlift or elevator is more expensive. These modifications can cost around $5,000 and $60,000, respectively. Factors such as project complexity, labor, and materials also influence the total cost.
However, you can get funding for your renovation needs to accommodate disabilities. Banks and even government bodies can provide home loans and grants for accessibility remodeling projects.
Professional vs. DIY: What’s Right for You?
For simpler tasks like adding grab bars or changing door handles, you can do it yourself. However, it is better to hire professionals for more complex tasks, like installing stairlifts. Remodeling contractors are experts at accessibility improvements. They have knowledge on construction and compliance with standards and regulations. They can also suggest improvements based on the layout of your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does It Cost to Build an Accessible Bathroom?
The cost depends on the details of any remodeling project. For instance, adding a walk-in tub will cost much more than installing grab bars. In general, it can cost you up to $15,000 to build an accessible bathroom.
How Much Does a Dining Room Remodel Cost?
This cost can vary too, depending on the project scope. If you want to change the layout, countertops, and cabinets, it will cost more. A typical dining room accessibility remodel can cost around $10,000.
Conclusion
Accessibility home modifications offer improved quality of life for aging residents. These renovations make it easier for elderly family members to move around a house. Improvements like widened doorways and slip-resistant floors enhance their safety and comfort. It also adds value to a home. Consider the project scope and costs, and hire professionals if needed. They can complete your renovation task and make your home more accessible for the elderly.
For leading professional accessibility remodeling services, contact Case Design/Remodeling Halifax. We have served the Halifax, Dartmouth, and surrounding Nova Scotia areas for over a decade. We are locally owned and operated. This helps us understand the importance of your needs better than most. Our highly skilled and qualified renovation team will help make your home more accessible so that your elderly relatives enjoy the highest standard of quality and care.
Visit our website for more information or call us to get in touch.
