Today’s real estate market is tough for homebuyers. From the soaring prices to low inventory, finding a home that fits your needs as you or a loved one age can be challenging and costly.
If you are having trouble looking for another house with aging-friendly amenities, consider staying put and adding them to your current home.
It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money to make a few simple changes to your home that could allow you to live there longer. There are many low-cost ways to make your home, or your parents’ home, more comfortable and accessible, including these suggestions.
For starters, focus on these areas that can become the biggest barriers as you get a little older: the doorways and the bathroom. In addition, it’s wise to get rid of the steps approaching at least one of the home’s entrances.
Entryways:
You could replace the steps with a small, natural ramp with some grading and landscaping. Pro tip: The ramp should be a foot in length for every inch of rise to the threshold. Otherwise, the slope will be too high and someone approaching in a wheelchair will stall halfway up. There are also portable ramps if you can’t add a permanent one. For stairs where a ramp isn’t feasible, add additional lighting to reduce the risk of falls.
Widen the front doorway to the home so it’s at least 36 inches, the width of a wheelchair or a walker needs to fit through without scraping the sides.
Doorways:
The same goes for interior doors to bedrooms and bathrooms, which are typically only 30 inches wide. Can’t afford construction? Fit your door with a swing-out hinge that will allow 2 to 3 inches to the width. The hinges can be found at hardware stores or online.
Read the conclusion of this article next week to learn about bathroom improvements you can change to make aging in place easier! In the meantime, check out our other blogs here!
For more information on design tips for living in place, see this article!
