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3 rooms to upgrade when aging in place

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When deciding to age in place, meaning staying in your current home as you get older, modifications must take place to keep the home safe and accessible.

With a few strategic updates you can keep your independence in the home you have grown to love while enhancing convenience and safety.

Here are three areas of the home you may want to consider upgrading if you are at the point in your life where you are deciding to age in place.

The kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of the home. It is where you and your family gather for family events and even if the family isn’t over on the weekends the majority of activity happens in this room.

Check out the height and ease of use of your appliances. If your stove is too high, consider hiring a contractor or purchasing a new stove to make it the height you will need as you get older. If you have a microwave that is already hard to reach above the stove start thinking about where to move it and replace it. Also, consider removing your old stove and consider installing an induction stove as these are safer because they cool down quickly after cooking, so you won’t burn yourself.

Always make sure cabinets are reachable, and all handles are easy to use. Lighting is also critical because as everyone ages eyesight diminishes so having proper lighting to see everything is important. Lastly, always have non-slip mats in front of your sink and refrigerator to help prevent any falls.

The bathroom

Bathrooms are known as one of the more dangerous rooms when it comes to getting older. Water on the floor makes it an easy area to slip and fall.

Consider adding grab or grip bars to your shower and bathtub areas to help you get in and out without falling. Also, consider upgrading your shower or bathtub with walk-in ability features. This allows to you to walk right in, take your shower and get out safely without having to lift your leg over the tub or shower entrance.

Nonslip mats are also an easy way to make your bathroom safer. Place these around the shower and tub so you don’t slip on the floor when getting out. Faucets with non-touch features are another great option because it allows you to use the sink without having to twist handles or lift levers if you experience arthritis as you get older.

Lastly, lighting is key. You need to be able to see where you are going. Bathrooms are usually tucked away and don’t have much natural light so having lighting fixtures that provide you enough light to see is critical. Install lighting that works for you. Motion sensor lighting, easy to turn on switches and bright light bulbs will help immensely.

The living room

The living room is the safe place of the home. It’s where you take a rest from your daily activities. Making it safe as you get older is key because you spend most of your time in this room. Decluttering your walking areas to make obstacle free and wide pathways is key, especially if you use a walker or wheelchair.

Consider investing in sturdier furniture than you had when you were younger with higher seats making it easier for you to get in and out of the couch or chair. The sturdy furniture also helps because it is less likely to move around when people sit on it making you put it back in place. Electric recliners with lift-assist options are also great for people as you age because they will lift you right up to a standing position so you don’t have to fight with those recliner footrests that can be a pain to put down.

If you have rugs in your living room, consider removing them as they can move and shift becoming slip hazards. If possible, have a family member who knows what they are doing or hire an electrician to lower light switches for better accessibility. Motion-activated lights are another great option. Any area where you can make your life easier is a great thing to look into when it comes to aging at home.

Upgrading your home as you get older ensures that it remains a safe and comfortable place to live for many years to come. No one wants to embrace the struggles that happen as you get older but preparing your home beforehand sets you up to be comfortable and ready for life’s challenges. Making small changes to the home will make a great difference in enhancing safety, mobility and your overall quality of life as you age.

Renewed Life Properties is a Sun City remodeling contractor specializing in home remodeling for retirement-age individuals and families.

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