Baby Boomers Can ‘Age in Place’ with New Home Designs

posted on Dec 02 by Guest Author in the Disability News, Technology, Wheelchair Accessibility category

2011 marked the first year that baby boomers turned 65. From now until 2030, this enormous generation (a full 26% of our population) will reach retirement age at a rate of 10,000 per day. But in typical boomer fashion, many of this generation are opting to “age in place” instead of moving in with family or into a nursing home. This can be managed thanks to a growing array of accessible products for the home. Smart homeowners can start thinking of stylish ways to add accessible living furniture and products to their home long before they need them, to ensure a home that is livable for the rest of their lives.

Getting older no longer means shopping around for quality nursing home facilities. You can live independently—and stylishly—if you design your home with fixtures that won’t compromise style for accessibility and safety.

The bathroom and kitchen are the areas that usually require the most improvements to make your home a safe one. The bathroom is one of the most used rooms in any house, so you want it to be attractive, comfortable and safe. You can make improvements that are relatively simple and can be made with aging in mind. Don’t wait until you start pushing 60. A bathroom that is comfortable, stylish, safe—and can be used independently—is important to people of all ages.

An array of products is available to anyone wanting to remodel or build an accessible bathroom. Research innovative ways to use traditional products like vanities, wall-hung sinks and tiled showers to update your bathroom while adding accessibility. Danielle Frank of Webb’s Bath Center offers some helpful tips:

• Install wall backings for future grab bars so you won’t have to open walls later. Grab bars today have a more decorative look and can be matched to your other bathroom accessories. Replace door, faucet and shower hardware with lever-style designs. You will appreciate it should you develop joint problems or arthritis.

• When planning your bathroom design, consider the possible future wheelchair access needs, such as wide door frames or sinks that allow wheelchair access, or low storage units for easy access to medicines and toiletries.

• You may want to consider a walk-in shower instead of a tub/shower combination. You can get in and out of a shower more easily, and it can even be accessible to wheelchair users. Consider lowering the height of the shower curb, as it may not be easy to step up into as you get older. You can install a hand-held shower to provide height adjustability, as well as a shower seat.

• Adequate bathroom lighting is a must for any bathroom. You can install lights on the sides of mirrors for easier viewing. Install lights in your shower so you’re never left in the dark. And locate light switches at a level where they are low enough to be reached by those in wheelchairs.

• Consider installing “comfort height” toilets. These are elevated toilets that allow ease of use, and they come in many decorative designs.

When it comes to renovating a bath or other room, look for a contractor who is certified in aging-in-place design (CAPS). These contractors are trained to stay abreast of the latest accessible products and can design your bathroom in a style that works for you, while guaranteeing maximum accessibility for your future.

Source:
moberlymonitor.com/lifestyle/family/x213522381/Danielle-Frank-New-home-designs-allow-boomers-to-age-in-place

Image sources:
benjaminsupply.com/aging-in-place-tucson-plumbing/
ageinplace.com/at-home/home-remodeling/aging-in-place-remodeling-showcase/bathroom-remodeling/aging-in-place-bathroom-remodeling-abbie-sladick/
forresidentialpros.com/product/10195823/jado-bathroom-hardware-127-latch-system
money.usnews.com/money/retirement/slideshows/design-awards-enable-aging-in-place/2