When you decide to renovate your home so that you can live there even after your retirement, you should think how to make it comfortable and accessible. Aging in place is important because elderly people are not normally able to adapt to changes and they need serenity and good care to feel at home. Consider the fact that you may need some services such as domestic cleaning and visiting nurse service.
Many of the features that you will need to change while renovating should be suitable for all ages. The term used more often to describe this is called universal design.
Consider the way a home shapes your life and the various challenges associated with aging. The important thing is to feel comfortable no matter how old you are. As we age, our bodies and capabilities change so we must keep in mind the mandatory features in the list of renovation projects. Don’t forget the cleaning during and after the renovation – it will be useful to keep the place relatively tidy and clean through the process so you don’t lose sight of your progress.
The main things to consider for your future safety in your home are some changes in your health and body that may need special attention. Think about your vision – could a diminishing eye sight hinder your day-to-day life? Are there unreachable areas in your home if you are required to use a wheelchair? If your muscles are weakened by arthritis or other conditions – would you be capable to open doors with cabinet handles or doorknobs? There is a danger of falling, slipping, or tripping and it is not only for the elderly people – think about what type of tiles you’ll need to choose and if your furniture is placed in a convenient spot. Keep in mind that the basic tasks will become more difficult to execute with time so you should think how to reduce the effort of home cleaning and maintenance.
Make sure that the changes you make to your house will be convenient for all ages and will stand the test of time. For example, letting more natural light in will make it easier to see what you are doing and where you are stepping so to avoid accidents. Replacing the kitchen cabinets with drawers and pull-out shelves will help you when it is no longer easy for you to bend down. Another good solution would be to install upper cabinets with glass doors – thus it will be easier to remember and actually see what you have in them. A feature that would be useful for all ages is changing all the doorknobs with levers – so no matter how much strength you have in your hands or in case you’re just carrying something – you will be able to open the door without any problem.
After all the building, painting, and complete remodeling, a lot of house cleaning will be waiting for you. This is the final task you must accomplish after the renovation. If the consequences are more serious you may need professional help – you can contact cleaning agency to take care of your renovated home. For more info please contact michael@michaeltudorie.com