Aging In Place

Q. Tim, we are retired and would like to remodel our home to make it comfortable for us in our retirement years. What should we look for?

This is an interesting question and one that many will be considering soon. By 2020, the number of Americans age 50-plus was expected to reach nearly 120 million, according to U.S. Census Bureau projections. A majority were interested in living in their own homes for as long as possible: Houzz’s then-recent Aging-in-Place report found that 61% of respondents age 55 or older planned to stay in their homes indefinitely.

Let’s begin by considering aging in place and universal design, and what they can do for us if we plan to live out our golden years in our existing home. The main tenet of universal design is making a home safer and more comfortable for its occupants by incorporating features such as grab bars, lever faucets, wide doorways and zero-threshold showers.

The design standards for the homes we currently live in were developed many decades ago, when the number of people who wanted to live out their retirement years in their existing home was much lower than it is today. Therefore, a growing number of people will need to remodel their homes to accommodate needs that were overlooked in the original design.

Most of us would like to get a return on our investment when we remodel our homes. With that in mind, that year’s Cost vs. Value report was the first to include a universal-design-themed project converting a “standard” bathroom into one that incorporates accessible features, like a shower, widened doorway and appropriate grab bars. According to the report, it was a decent investment, with an average 68.4% ROI in the first year after completion. Also, it’s important to remember that, like many home-improvement projects, the true value of universal design lies beyond its monetary gains.

What to Look For

When discussing universal design, understand that creating a well-designed, accessible space isn’t always so easy, so plan to hire a professional builder and designer. Ideally, choose a builder/remodeling company with in-house designers who understand your needs and can design your improvements without making your home look institutionalized. Sometimes space can be limited, and the ability to see the remodel project in 3-D can provide valuable insights and put apprehensive clients at ease. Moreover, some of these changes can affect the structural integrity of your home, so a professional builder/remodeler may be needed to add the structural elements necessary to support new loads.

A Proven Track Record

Lastly, hiring a professional builder/remodeler who has completed many similar projects will make the process fun and enjoyable while eliminating unfortunate missteps that can sometimes appear. With the right builder/remodeler at your side, you and your loved ones will enjoy your beautiful and functional home for many years to come.