The Best Aging-in-Place Renovations to Do ASAP, According to Pros
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As adults age, getting around or completing daily tasks in the home may become challenging. However, it doesn’t have to be that way—adapting the house can help compensate for decreased mobility and allow older people to stay in their homes longer.
Aging-in-place remodeling is how older individuals who want to live out their years in their beloved homes can forego the significant expenses of a retirement home or assisted living facility. The best time to make the appropriate renovations and adapt your home for future needs is before your health requires it.
Read on to see what tips real estate and renovation professionals offer for making aging in place easier.
Meet the Expert
Mark Nichols is an architect and strategic construction advisor at Real Estate Bees.
David Kallie is a certified aging-in-place specialist for the National Association of Home Builders and the CEO of Dimension Design-Build-Remodel Inc.
Sean Walsh is a kitchen design and remodeling expert and founder and CEO of Walcraft Cabinetry.
How Much Do Aging-In-Place Home Modifications Cost?
Home modifications can be expensive, typically ranging from $3,000 to $15,000, with the average national spend being $9,500, according to Fixr. Some renovations can be as low as $350 to install new faucets and door handles. But, if you're looking at more significant renovations like installing wheelchair ramps, new sinks, shower stalls, or bathtubs, the cost can skyrocket to $50,000 or more.
Are Aging-In-Place Home Modifications Tax Deductible?
According to the IRS, capital expenditures for installing special medical equipment or home alterations to accommodate health or medical issues are tax-deductible as long as they don’t add to the property value.
And, if the home modifications increase the home value, you can still deduct a portion. The cost of the improvement minus the increase in the property value is the amount that can be considered.
But, in most cases, home modifications to accommodate disabilities will not increase the value of a home and should be fully tax deductible. Major renovations, usually fully deductible, include constructing entrance or exit ramps, widening doors at entrances or exits, and widening hallways or inside doorways.
When to Make Aging-In-Place Home Modifications
Aging-in-place modifications are best done in anticipation of what you expect in your future. For example, if you or a family member has arthritis, osteoporosis, or a Parkinson's diagnosis, you can realistically expect to have mobility issues down the road. Get started by installing grab bars, handrails, and non-slip flooring if early-onset symptoms have begun.
Similarly, for someone with multiple sclerosis or ALS, walking assistance devices or a wheelchair are likely a future need. Consider installing ramps, chairlift devices, adjustable beds and chairs, and more.
The sooner you can do renovations, the better. You likely have more time, energy, and resources in your earlier years when you can make plans yourself. Talk to an occupational therapist or home remodeling specialist to start thinking of a plan and getting some cost and time estimates so you are prepared with a ballpark idea now and when the time comes.
Elements of Aging-in-Place Remodeling
Stay on One Level
First and foremost, updating the home so all living areas are on the first level is key. Climbing the stairs several times daily can be physically painful and pose a fall risk. Sturdy handrails are a must for people of any age, especially for older people who might be more uneasy on their feet.
Adding a chair lift from one level to another is also an option if it isn't possible to create a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen on the first floor. Don't count out adding an elevator to your home.
Mark Nichols, an architect and strategic construction advisor at Real Estate Bees, suggests working with an architect to evaluate elevator options for your home.
"There are compact hydraulic elevators that are more cost-effective than you would imagine—the key is finding the minimally disruptive location in the existing floor plan to locate it," he says. "Work with an architect first to see if this option is viable; it might be more realistic than you think, so don't write it off initially. There are decent and reasonably priced solutions out there."
Make Floors Safer
No matter what type of home you live in, keeping clutter off floors reduces the risk of tripping and falling at any age.
The type of flooring you have in your home can also affect your chances of taking a fall. Shag carpeting is a no-go. If carpet is used, the pile shouldn’t be more than a half-inch. Consider placing a nonslip flooring material underneath, such as rubber, cork, or vinyl, and be mindful of other slippery surfaces like a highly polished wood floor.
When moving around becomes too difficult, consider a ceiling lift, a motorized device that lifts and transfers a person along a ceiling-mounted track in a sling from room to room.
Increase Widths
Another thing that can spell trouble for those with mobility concerns is a layout with a sunken living room or a high threshold to navigate when moving from room to room. Installing a ramp over small thresholds can help make it easier to get around.
David Kallie is a certified aging-in-place specialist for the National Association of Home Builders and the CEO of Dimension Design-Build-Remodel Inc. He encourages older adults to consider increasing the width of doors and hallways indoors to allow wheelchairs to maneuver if needed. Kallie says opening up the floor plan should give a turning room of five feet by five feet and doorways and hallways that are at least three feet wide.
Revamp the Kitchen
Several changes can make the kitchen safer and more enjoyable for older adults. If someone uses a wheelchair, lower parts of the counters for accessibility, and consider adding pullout shelving, especially in lower cabinets. A pot filler keeps people from carrying a heavy pot filled with water from the sink to the stove.
Even the basic layout of the kitchen can be revamped for comfort and safety.
"The kitchen triangle rule will become more important than ever in an aging individual's home," says Sean Walsh, a kitchen design and remodeling expert. "Tightening up this triangle to provide less traveled distances is essential and will provide a much more enjoyable cooking and cleaning experience."
Throughout the home, consider upgrading appliances to those that are easier for older adults to use. This includes elevated wall ovens and refrigerators that don't require bending down or reaching deep inside.
Install Bathroom Enhancements
Bathroom remodeling needs significant consideration when considering aging-in-place renovations. Walk-in showers are an ideal bathroom feature for those wishing to age in place because they don't have a typical shower threshold, allowing wheelchair access if needed.
Also, if you don't want to give up a soak in a tub, switch out a traditional tub with a walk-in tub. Whichever you choose, be sure to install grab bars in the appropriate spaces. And be sure they are held steady by being embedded into wall studs. With modified showers of any kind, add a shower seat and handheld shower head to prevent falls.
Don't forget about the toilet—add a riser seat to reduce the amount of up and down and help save wear and tear on your joints.
Create Smart Lighting
Vision often declines with age. Adding brighter bulbs could help, but make sure they don't create a dangerous glare. Also, consider the placement of light switches and whether forgetting to turn the light off requires returning to the other side of a room.
These concerns can be remedied by installing watt-appropriate motion sensor lighting, especially in busy rooms such as the living room or kitchen. Having lights come on as you enter a room and turn off when you leave makes it easy to see where you are going and saves a trip walking to the switch.
Consider Outdoor Features
A ramp with guardrails is an absolute must if your home has steps or a high threshold. The front of the house is another good spot for motion-sensitive lighting for safety and security.
Adding a doorbell or an entire smart home security system that allows you to see who is at the door without walking directly to it is also a significant safety feature. Another feature is motion-sensitive lighting at the home’s entrance and any back entrance.
Make Additional Home Modifications
Start small with little conveniences or gradually add assistive devices if mounting expenses are your biggest concern. Some accessible add-ons that won't break the bank include adding easy-grip door knobs, levers instead of door knobs, or replacing a regular shower head with a handheld.
Other special home modifications to consider incrementally:
Installing a shower bar
Get a non-slip bedside mat and a low-profile bed
Removing throw and area rugs throughout the house
Adding handrails in high-slip locations
Putting in doorway ramps
Installing an emergency call alert system
Getting an automatic toilet flushing system
Invest in open shelves or cabinetry in all rooms you use
Add anti-scalding temperature controls on all the faucets
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most important aging-in-place remodeling projects?
The best renovations for aging in place include upgrading lighting, making it easier and safer to move around the house, and adding accessibility features to bathrooms and bedrooms. Smart home and voice-activated enhancements, like turning lights on and off, ordering prescription refills, and home security and an emergency alert system, are modern conveniences that go a long way.
What does it mean to design for aging in place?
Design for aging in place means adding home modifications to enable aging people to remain in their homes as long as possible. These add-ons allow older people to maintain independence and autonomy.
Is aging in place a good idea?
More than 75% of older people prefer to remain in their homes and age in place, according to a 2018 survey conducted by AARP. The benefits include cost-effectiveness and the improved quality of life and dignity from being in the comforts of home close to family, pets, friends, and social activities.
Read Next: Whole-House Remodel: Where to Start
Read the original article on The Spruce.
