Renaissance Renovations | Accessibility and Aging in Place

Posted by Scott Gaunt on Feb 1, 2012 in Latest News, Renovations News, _Special | 0 comments

In today’s world the common perceptions from a decade ago just do not apply to the aging and physically challenged population. For many, the option of selling a current home for a huge windfall and being able to build a new custom home, move into a retirement facility, or a care assisted facility, simply doesn’t make good economic sense. And yet, the physical needs may still be there. That knee surgery and recovery may have you wishing you had an extra bedroom and a full bath on the main floor. The doctor’s prognosis of the elderly relative who lives with you is including a wheel chair and you’re lying awake at night because you know the home won’t accommodate that easily. Lets face it, we all can think of reasons to make our homes more accessible if not simply for the ease and safety of every day living.

According to the US Census of 2010:  “Between 2000 and 2010, the population 45 to 64 years old grew 31.5 percent to 81.5 million. This age group now makes up 26.4 percent of the total U.S.population. The large growth among 45- to 64-year-olds is primarily because of the aging of the baby boom population. While many of the baby boom generation are leading much healthier lives and living longer than preceding generations, they desire to be able to “age in place” and make their current home accommodate that process.

What is aging in place? The National Association of Home Builders defines it this way: “Aging-in-place means remaining in one’s home safely, independently and comfortably, regardless of age, income or ability level. It means the pleasure of living in a familiar environment throughout one’s maturing years and the ability to enjoy the familiar daily rituals and the special events that enrich all our lives. It means the reassurance of being able to call a house a ‘home’ for a lifetime.”

If your family is faced with a member having an injury, a debilitating disease or illness, or if you’re making plans to “Age in Place,” consider the following home improvement or remodeling projects that can help make your home more livable for the long run.

• Create a main floor bedroom and full bath, perhaps by giving up a formal dining or living room that is rarely used.
• Widen door ways and lower thresholds to accommodate wheel chairs and other mobility assistance devices.
• Create an exterior ramp to eliminate steps into the home.
• Widen hallways and lower counters in the kitchen.
• Ensure all electrical controls are accessible from a wheelchair position.
• Add grab bars at toilet and bathtub locations.
• Install a low or zero threshold shower with a wide enough door to accommodate a shower rated wheel chair.
• Install a “walk-in” type Jacuzzi or soaking tub.
• Install hand spray shower heads on slide bars.
• Install comfort height and elongated toilets.
• Consider replacing any high gloss or otherwise slick surfaced flooring materials with low pile carpets or matte finished or high traction types of surfaces.
• Consider making accommodations for an elevator or committing a space to be easily modified into an elevator space should the need arise.
• Consult with a designated “Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS)”

Renaissance Renovations is a full service general contractor that can help with the planning and execution of these projects. Contact us for an in home consultation.

 “Give your home a Renaissance.”

Scott Gaunt | Renaissance Renovations | 503.320.3756

Renaissance Homes is an award winning Street of Dreams custom home builder specializing in green building, remodeling and renovations for the Portland market.

Awarded the Portland Homebuilder’s Association 2011 “Builder of the Year.”