3 Necessary Add-Ons for an Aging-in-Place Home

Homes that age in place are valuable and convenient for seniors (and you, once you reach the golden years). There are many ways you can remodel a house so it’s more senior-friendly, but you should prioritize these three necessary add-ons.

Handyman Connection® of Novi shares what these three are and why they are important to an aging-in-place home.

Adequate Lighting

Some parts of the house are darker than others. Notable places include the kitchen, staircase and the hallways. These are risky areas in the house, so just imagine how dangerous they can be once you get older. 

To ensure your new aging-in-place home is as safe as can be, it’s important to install ample lighting. Start by replacing old incandescents with compact fluorescents. They are more energy-efficient, last longer and generate more light than heat.

Install Non-Slip Flooring

More than one-third of injuries in older adults occur in the kitchen and bathroom–mostly slips and falls. The bathroom flooring, in particular, gets slippery due to how humid the area becomes. Fortunately, there are a number of non-slip tiles available in the market, including non-slip vinyl, rubber and cork. Slip-resistant rugs are an alternative if replacing the flooring isn’t an option.

A Step-Free Entrance

Finally, it may be time to replace the stairs leading to your entryway. They may not be inconvenient now, but stairs present a challenge to the elderly, especially the wheelchair-bound. A remodeling project that revolves around a step-free entrance may be costly, but it adds quality of life to the aging-in-place home and makes going in and out of the house more convenient.

At Handyman Connection of Novi, we’ll be happy to help you with your upcoming aging-in-place remodel. Call us at (248) 255-4080 or fill out our online form for further inquiries.