Let’s be completely honest, no senior in their retirement years are ready to leave the home that they have lived in for most of their lives to move to a nursing home or other assisted living option. Your home no matter your age is the place you put roots down and have many memories that are hard for anyone to let go of just because their physical abilities change over the years. For this reason, aging in place modifications has increased tremendously to allow these elders to do just that. Staying home can come with many obstacles that an experienced licensed contractor can provide plans for a simpler way of living as a person continues to grow older no matter if you’re in your 60s or want to remain in your home till over 100.
Installation of Grab Bars
One of the most dangerous rooms in your home is the bathroom for many reasons. The floor can be slippery at times causing many falls to occur no matter your age. Installation of a grab bar could make the difference of breaking bones from an accident or being able to live happily and safely in your home for the elder years in your life. Grab bars are typically made of stainless steel and prices can range anywhere from $100 to a couple hundred depending on size and location. It is recommended to install these pieces of safety hardware in a place that is accessible before and one inside the shower or tub as well. The bathroom is an ideal area to install a grab bar by your aging in place home remodeler, but there are other areas that would be very beneficial as well in your home. Common uses for these tools can also be utilized where any type of balance is needed such as railing in the garage to help someone get in and out of the house. It would also be a great idea to install grab bars for support going up or down any number of stairs.
Widening Doors and Wheel Chair Ramps
It is common in older homes to have doorways that can be very narrow compared to the newer homes that have a standard size of at least 32 inches in width. This smaller size prohibits handicap accessibility and makes it difficult for those that use wheelchairs or walkers to get from room to room easily. Hiring a licensed contractor to increase the size of the door ways is another great aging in place home renovation. Prices can range depending on the door sizes and how many throughout the house that must be widened but can expect $400 – $800 in cost per door.
Another ease of accessibility for seniors to have installed is a wheel chair ramp. Replace indoor or outdoor steps with a ramp will make transportation much easier for older adults with less risk of falling. Installation of a wheelchair ramp can be on the expensive side depending on factors such as the type of ramp installed. Temporary ramps can range in price from $5,000 to $6,000 or if looking to have a permanent structure attached to the home prices can be more towards $12,000 to $14,000. Before deciding on a ramp, it is always best to decide on each person’s unique needs and also think of what the future may hold whether you may start with just a walker and need to switch to a wheel chair or perhaps the use of a wheelchair may be more temporary so spending your investment on aging in place tools should be thoroughly thought out to maximize your independence through out your house to continue to live a happy and healthy life inside your home.
Glen Miller the Home Doctor is a licensed general contractor servicing Livingston County and the surrounding areas. Glen offers a wide range of services including home maintenance plans, age in place remodeling, kitchen and bathroom remodeling, finished basements, and hardwood floor refinishing. More information can be found online at https://www.glenmillerthehomedoctor.com/.