As more and more Americans plan to live in their homes longer, they are taking steps to ensure more accessible access to essential areas of their home.
Making design changes now makes aging in place a smoother transition. At AAA Remodeling Company, we understand the importance of living in comfort throughout your golden years. We provide bathroom remodeling and kitchen remodeling services specific to the needs of those who are aging in place.
General Aging In Place Design Checklist
Home designers need the knowledge and expertise required to design accessible, comfortable, and safe spaces so that seniors can live independently and with dignity in their own homes. It takes special training to accommodate individuals with specific needs. At AAA Remodeling, we can help guide you in the right direction as your prepare your home for the future.
We’ve organized an aging-in-place design checklist to ensure you cover all the most essential design options. It’s important to look at each room of your home individually. But here’s a list of the general rules you should follow when designing an area for safety and accessibility.
- New lighting systems
- Open floor plan with few obstructions
- Specific colors contrasting to help with depth perception
- No-step entries
- Wider doorways
- Lever-style door handles
- Ramp installation
Bathroom Aging In Place Design Checklist
Design options for bathroom aging in place should take priority. Slippery surfaces and other factors in a bathroom contribute to thousands of injuries each year. When customizing a bathroom for someone who has disabilities or is aging, these are some design options to consider:
- Anti-slip coating in tub/shower
- Slip-resistant floor treatment
- Walk-in shower/tub
- Handheld showerhead
- Magnifying mirror
- Adjusting toilet height or installing a seat extender
- Grab bars near the toilet and in the bath/shower
- Shower seat
Kitchen Aging In Place Design Checklist
When considering design options for your kitchen, you want to ensure the changes you make provide ease of use and safety. For instance, do not install cabinets you cannot reach. Also, ensure that all appliances are correctly positioned, so you don’t have to move around too much. Some other design factors to consider include:
- Adjust the height of the sink
- Install a shallow sink
- Install a hands-free faucet
- Move sink closer to the stove
- Storage inside the refrigerator door
- Front-mounted controls on the cooktop
- Install a pull-out pantry
- D-shaped cabinet pulls
- Rounded edges for countertops
- Larger drawers
- Microwave at counter height
- Install under-cabinet lighting
There are other areas of your home that also need attention. These areas include the laundry room, bedroom, and garage. At AAA Remodeling Company, we can help you with all home design aspects to help you age in place comfortably. We will also help you find options that fit your budget.