Home Renovations to Embark on if You Plan to Age in Place

Buying a home that you will live in for the rest of your life is a milestone that many adults want to achieve. With it not only comes financial freedom but also peace of mind knowing that you have a place your golden years in, whether alone or with your spouse. One part, however, of living in the same property until your senior years that some people do not take into account is whether it would be conducive once they start to lose their mobility.

Health issues such as arthritis, diabetes, osteoporosis and so on will negatively impact your physical activity and mobility. Hence, it is your responsibility to ensure that your home will still be comfortable in your later years. Contrary to popular belief, this does not mean that your house will be transformed into a clinical facility. With the right changes, you can maintain the charm and allure of your residence. To help you with some ideas, here are some home renovations to embark on if you plan to age in place.

Prioritise an open-plan

Open floor plans may have been associated as a real estate buzzword, but the reality is that this interior design solution can be incredibly beneficial to the elderly. The presence of unnecessary hallways, awkwardly shaped nooks due to an unwanted wall and so on only works to make navigating your home harder than it should be. Furthermore, if you or your loved one is to become reliant on a wheelchair, these narrow spaces can limit which parts of the house you can access.

The best way forward is to hire remodelling contractors to knock down any walls that you can do without. It is worth noting that an open plan is not limited to your living area and kitchen. Instead, consider incorporating this in the various levels of your home, bathrooms, bedrooms and more so that corners are at a minimum. As a bonus, you will find that an open plan will enhance the illumination in your home, and this provides you with better visibility.

Revamp the kitchen

Kitchens can be incredibly dangerous for seniors if this space is not renovated to suit their unique needs. It is very easy for the elderly to lose their balance in this room. One of the first things that you can change to make is by lowering the heights of the cabinetry, benchtops, sink and so on. This measure reduces the chance of you trying to climb atop a stool to reach high cabinets and falling in the process.

Moreover, by lowering the heights of these amenities, it is easier for wheelchair-bound individuals to maintain a sense of their freedom. The second change that you can make in this room by installing flooring materials with a high degree of traction. Since spills are commonplace in this room, non-slip flooring can be the difference between a broken bone that would necessitate surgery and maintaining one's balance.

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