As we grow up and grow older, our physical needs change. Our eyesight deteriorates, we start to lose our balance, and it is harder to navigate features like staircases. All of these changes can make living in our existing homes difficult at best, and worst case, potentially dangerous.
As more Atascadero homeowners look for ways to stay in their homes longer, aging-in-place remodeling has become one of the most practical and meaningful investments. From safer bathrooms to accessible kitchens, these upgrades help create a comfortable home for every stage of life. At Frantz Construction, we specialize in remodeling homes across San Luis Obispo County to make daily living safer, easier, and more beautiful – without sacrificing style.
Here are some of the most important features to consider when remodeling to accommodate aging-in-place:
Key Remodeling Features for Aging in Place
Being able to get into and out of your house is key for continuing to live independently. Remodel at least one of your entrances to your home to make it “barrier free.” This means no steps. If you can’t get into the house in a wheelchair, without help from anyone, your home is not barrier free. Zero-threshold entries are vital to avoiding slips and falls.
Another helpful remodel to ensure access to your home is widening doorways and hallways to be at least 32” wide, although preferably 36” or wider. This is the absolute minimum amount of space needed to get a wheelchair or a walker through the space. Consider the turning radius of these mobility aids when planning your furniture layout as well.
Smart Design Tips for Comfort and Independence
As our eyesight gets worse, we need exponentially more lighting in our homes. The best lights are LEDs that you won’t need to replace as often, and preferably have a Kelvin rating of 3500 or higher. You’ll want to put extra lights in areas that are not as well lit, such as underneath your kitchen cabinets to help illuminate the countertop, or over your shower.
It is also incredibly helpful to use contrasts in material colors to help aid in differentiating depth of field. If your kitchen sink and countertops are the same color, and your vision is going blurry, it is unfortunately quite easy to try and set something on the counter and accidentally put it on the edge of the sink, where it could fall and potentially break.
Bathroom and Kitchen Upgrades Improve Safety
One of the reasons many people try to stay in their homes rather than move to a retirement community or an assisted living facility is because they feel as though they are losing their independence, and even worse, their dignity. Bathroom remodels that include things like anti-slip shower floors, grab bars, and even a bidet can do wonders for allowing us to feel independent and self-reliant.
Remove the bathtub; make sure the shower is zero-threshold; put a seat in the shower; add grab bars everywhere (they make some pretty snazzy, integrated grab bars these days that don’t look nearly so ugly and commercial); use contrasts and lots of bright lighting; get an ADA-height toilet, or better yet, a bidet. And one of the best things you can do in an aging-in-place bathroom remodel is to make sure the door does not swing into the bathroom. Just in case someone falls in the bathroom, you need to be able to access them easily to provide assistance, so don’t let their fallen body block the door from opening.
Frantz Construction’s Approach to Accessible Remodeling
If you are not yet concerned about aging-in-place for yourself, but are considering it for a loved one, something you can do to make your home a welcoming place is make it “visit-able.” This means making sure everything on the first floor is accessible to them, such as a barrier free entrance, and an accessible bathroom. When your loved ones feel comfortable visiting you, it can go a long way to aiding in their independence and dignity.
As multi-generational living becomes more popular here in the States, this could include having a bedroom and full bathroom on the first floor of a multi-story home. Even if it only serves as a guest room right now, it could potentially be the space you move into when it’s time to consider aging-in-place for yourself.
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Ready to make your home more comfortable and accessible? Frantz Construction can help you plan and complete an aging-in-place remodel designed around your needs. Contact our Atascadero home remodeling team to schedule a free consultation today.
