Everything You Need to Know About Aging-in-Place Renovations

Everyone wants to enjoy their golden years in comfort. But the older you get, the more important it becomes to make sure you can age in place in your home safely while still preserving the elements or features of the Mason City property you love so much.

Aging-in-place renovations don’t have to be overly complex or diminish the personal value of your home. Take a look at our aging-in-place remodeling checklist so you know what needs to happen sooner rather than later.

What is aging in place?

Aging in place, in a nutshell, means growing older in your home, wherever that might happen to be, instead of moving to an assisted living facility or some other place for long-term senior care. Lots of folks ages 50 and up like the idea of aging in place because:

• It allows them to stay in their homes, especially if they’ve lived in the same property for decades
• It helps them stay connected with friends and family members
• It’s often more cost-effective compared to moving to a retirement home or some other assisted-living facility

That said, aging-in-place home design comes with unique challenges. For example, your home might not be adequately equipped or designed for certain physical limitations or safety concerns that become more common as you get older.

Say that your Mason City home, which you’ve lived in for 30 years, has two stories. As you age, you might find that reaching your bedroom on the second floor becomes harder and harder; it may even eventually turn into a safety hazard!

Therefore, to age in place safely, independently, and comfortably, aging individuals often need to renovate their properties with a few smart home modifications or design alterations.

Aging-in-place home remodeling checklist

Not sure where to start? We’ve got a basic checklist you can run down to see what applies to your property and your potential future health concerns or safety needs.

Install handrails, automatic lighting, & other safety features

Some of the most important aging in place renovations are those that make it easier to get around, especially by yourself. These home renovations include:

• Installing handrails or guardrails along hallways or near doors
• Installing automatic lighting outside so your way is always illuminated when you go outside
• Installing push-button doors instead of having to rely on handles
• Installing ramps to the entryway or other commonly used doorways
• Installing non-slip floor coverings, like mats

If you’re not sure what you need, contact a certified aging-in-place specialist to perform a home inspection. They can provide recommendations to maximize your quality of life and long-term care options.

Major rooms are on the ground floor

As mentioned earlier, multistory homes can be difficult or hazardous to navigate for individuals remaining in their homes, especially as time goes on. You may wish to reorganize your home by moving important rooms, like your bedroom, from upper floors to the main level so they are more accessible. You can fill any upstairs rooms with items you wish to store or turn one of the rooms into a bedroom for a live-in caregiver later down the road.

Since this can be a very time-intensive aging-in-place home design, consider whether this will be needed early on and schedule it in the near future if necessary.

Home entry is accessible

Your home’s entry door should be accessible to you, of course! To that end, you might want to add a smooth ramp up to the entryway, so you don’t have to tackle a set of stairs each time you go out to visit friends or family members.

Alternatively, you might want to swap out a traditional door for an easier-to-open alternative. For instance, Window World of Mason City’s sliding patio doors might be an amazing aging-in-place renovation if you use it to replace a normal door leading to your backyard.

Space between walls/doorframes

If you require a wheelchair or other mobility assistive items in the future, narrow hallways could limit how easily you can get around your house. Hire a general contractor to measure the width of your walls and doorframes. If they are narrower than 36 inches across, it could be smart to widen those hallways and doorways to make them more accessible and allow for the installation of the above-mentioned handrails. A wider hallway is always easier to walk or roll down than a narrower one!

Low-maintenance exterior & yard

Many Mason City homeowners take pride in their front yards. As you age, however, you might not have the time or energy to maintain your property's exterior as you once did. If you don't want to hire someone to do the work for you, renovate your front yard and exterior now so it's low maintenance.

What does this mean? For instance, replace some of the current plants or grasses out front with low-maintenance shrubs and natural grasses. You might also want to simplify your front deck or porch by removing extraneous decorations or shortening the steps up to its surface (if it has steps, that is).

In any case, you deserve to take it easy and relax during this time of your life, not sweat up a storm working in your front yard!

Upgrade lighting with new replacement windows or bulbs

A safe home for aging in place is one that's well-lit. You can make sure that's the case for your property by installing new, clear replacement windows that let in plenty of natural light and swapping out older, less efficient bulbs for energy- efficient LED alternatives.

These simple steps will do wonders to make your home feel spacious and inviting – perfect if you plan on inviting guests over frequently in the years to come! – and will also make getting around easier than ever. To maximize natural light, choose wide, energy-efficient windows, such as Window World of Mason City’s picture windows.

Install chair lifts or elevators

If you foresee mobility being a challenge later in life, installing a mobility chair or other elevator to get upstairs is a good idea. This is an especially wise home remodeling product for aging in place if you have a two-story home but don't want to leave. That way, you can keep your bedroom upstairs but won't have to tax your knees needlessly.

Install smart devices

Lastly, take a look around your home and think about where all the light switches happen to be. If they are a little out of reach, installing smart home devices now could save you a big headache later on.

Smart home devices, like Amazon Alexa or Google Nest, allow you to control appliances, the TV, and your home’s lighting through voice commands. It’s incredibly convenient for everyone, but especially folks aging in place. Similarly, you can install a smart thermostat to have constant control over the temperature of your house, all without having to get up and fiddle with the thermostat in the morning or evening.

At first glance, all of these goals might seem overwhelming! Fortunately, you don’t need to tackle these renovations by yourself. In fact, it’s often wiser to rely on expert contractors depending on the exact remodeling upgrades you want to make.

For example, if you’re looking to install accessible windows that let in plenty of natural light, Window World of Mason City can assist. Not only can we help you find the perfect new windows for your home as you age in place, but we can also handle installation at a time that works for you. Get in touch today to learn more!