You are physically fit and love your home. But you’re no fool: you know your property may no longer correspond to your needs in just a few years.
So how can you start planning now to live in your residence long term? Here are our tips.
1. Convert the Ground Floor Into the Main Living Area
You may need to carry out some renovations to grow old at home safely. A bad fall is the most frequent reason why an occupant must leave their house. Eliminate the risks for the outset by having the floors levelled.
The bungalow, moreover, is the ideal form of residence for seniors. If you own a two-storey house, you may want to consider relocating all your most used rooms to the ground floor. For example, you can convert a family room or dining room into a bedroom or add a fully fitted bathroom to this floor. If the laundry appliances are in the basement, moving them to a closet or bathroom, depending on how much space you have, is recommended. Very compact models are now sold in stores.
2. Modify the Bathroom
Installing grab bars next to the toilet, bath and in the shower is a wise choice. Most seniors, regardless of their level of fitness, appreciate this type of accommodation. You may just be one of them!
Depending on your circumstance, you may likewise wish to retrofit the vanity to make it wheelchair accessible. Using a bathtub can equally become difficult, which is why replacing it with a zero-threshold shower (no ledge or sill) is so popular.
3. Automate
Welcome to the house of the future! Home automation can significantly increase a residence’s comfort and safety. Smart thermostats, remote control lights, especially security cameras and sensor systems (to detect if the oven has been left on for example) are practical aids for aging at home confidently. A smart watch is a valuable gadget that can call help or dial an emergency contact number in case of a sudden illness or fall.
1. Small Changes That Make a Big Difference
Round doorknobs, small button-like cabinet pulls, and light switches are sometimes tough to manipulate for weakening or arthritic hands. Swap them out for lever handles, bar pulls for the cabinets and toggle switches. All these options are also easier to handle when carrying a load of grocery bags, which means they will be useful for you now and not only once you reach your golden years!
2. Don’t Neglect Your Decor
If you want to feel at home in your house for many years to come, take a moment to rethink its current decor. Is it really to your taste or a showcase for the newest design trends? Fashions come and go, but personal preferences are typically more stable over time. While you have the energy to do so, remodel and redecorate your space to make it truly your own. You will be more likely to still like it in twenty years if you have carefully selected every element. You won’t feel compelled to renovate later on, which is exactly what you should avoid as your health declines.
In short, you probably won’t want to move in the coming years if you carry out the work needed to ensure your future comfort and safety. If you wish to stay in your home as long as possible, consider beginning the process of adapting your home now.