House Plans
How to age comfortably in your own home.
By Eric Hansen
Many people think ahead to the future with the same single thought – “I’m going
to stay in my home forever,” or “I will never go to a nursing home or other alternative
type of senior housing.” However, few people ask the question “How accommodating
will my home be as I grow older?” The truth is that most homes are designed
for healthy, active adults; not for accommodating the needs of aging occupants.
However, with the right plan, most homes can become safe and accessible for
occupants of any age.
The remodeling of a home can be unnecessarily stressful. When remodeling for
accessibility, the question is not only “What do I want?” More importantly, it is “What
do I need?” The right approach in the planning stage will help alleviate the potential
for costly mistakes and help to insure that you achieve the desired outcome. It is
best to take the time up front to fully assess your current needs and to prepare for
what you feel your needs will be in the future. Every successful project needs a good
blueprint and a good blueprint starts with thoughtful answers to serious questions.
Start by considering the concerns and challenges of today. Vision, hearing,
walking, weakness and lack of agility are common issues for an aging adult. Are
these problems temporary, on-going or urgent? What does your family history tell
you? Do you need assistance or assistive equipment? Do you want to stay in your
own home permanently or do you see a time when you will feel happier and more
secure in an Assisted Living Facility or Group Home? Are doorways and hallways wide
enough for a wheelchair or walker? Are interior stairs becoming obstacles?
What changes or modifications do you see as necessary now or in the future in
order to stay in your own home? These are tough questions and are all too often put off until there has been a sudden, life changing event which brings them to the center of attention and requiring
immediate action. However, like a good insurance policy, a little planning now will pay
huge dividends in the future. One of the most common safety improvement areas in
the home is the bathroom. If you are planning a remodel, have the contractor add
blocking in the walls to install grab bars in the future. If you need grab bars now and
don’t have blocking to screw into, use a fastener designed specifically for installing
grab bars without blocking such as those made by WingIt Innovations.
What changes or modifications do you see as necessary now or in the future in
order to stay in your own home?
These are tough questions and are all too often put off until there has been a
sudden, life changing event which brings them to the center of attention and requiring
immediate action. However, like a good insurance policy, a little planning now will pay
huge dividends in the future. One of the most common safety improvement areas in
the home is the bathroom. If you are planning a remodel, have the contractor add
blocking in the walls to install grab bars in the future. If you need grab bars now and
don’t have blocking to screw into, use a fastener designed specifically for installing
grab bars without blocking such as those made by WingIt Innovations.