It is not a picnic getting older and sometimes, our elderly parents need a little extra help around the house.
To get this help, aging parents sometimes end up moving in with their adult children.
In the United States, there are about 79 million adults living together that do not have an intimate relationship.
That is about 32% of the population.
To accommodate people that are getting older and getting more physically limited, you may want to consider making your home more handicap accessible.
If you choose to go that route, you will likely need a remodeling contractor.
What can a remodeling contractor do? What are the top things in your home that you should remodel for an older parent?
These are some of our best tips.
Know Your Budget
Before going into this, you should know what your budget is going to be for this remodel.
That is because if you start the remodeling process before knowing exactly how much you want to spend, it could go wrong for you.
You can end up skipping a priority item because you ran out of funds or be left with an unfinished item because you did not have the funds to fix an unforeseen issue.
This can leave you with a mess and a headache.
Before you hire a contractor, sit down with your family and then sit down with a contractor and go over the exact budget you have for remodeling your house.
Know Your Priorities
The next thing that goes along with knowing your budget is knowing your priorities.
The reason for this is if you do not have enough money to do a full remodel then you are going to have to make sacrifices.
Let’s say that one item is mandatory in your household because of certain physical limitations.
This can be a stairlift to help seniors get up and down the stairs without the physical effort and risk of falling.
If that is the number one item that you want, then you need to know that in advance before starting a remodeling project.
This can allow a contractor to focus on installing that item first and work around that item if any potential issues come up.
Also, know what items are more of a luxury than a necessity for your house.
This can allow you to make an easy decision of an item to cut if it comes down to leaving off one or two things.
Types of Remodeling Projects
Now that you have a budget in mind and know what priorities you want in your house, it is time to see what types of remodeling projects are available for the home of aging parents.
Stairlift
This should be one of the first things that you think about installing if you have a multi-floor home.
You may not be able to change how many floors your house has but you can change how your older parent can get around them.
Having a stairlift in your home eliminates the need to worry about how an older person is going to get up and down the stairs.
Going down the stairs can risk a serious slip and fall in your house.
Going up the stairs can put a lot of stress on someone’s knees and legs if they have physical limitations.
The best thing that you can do is have a stairlift that allows someone older to get up and down the stairs as safely as possible.
Changing the Bathroom
Another important area of the home that you may want to consider is remodeling your bathroom.
This is where the safety of an older person really comes into play.
The bathroom is the room of the house where a slip and fall is most likely to happen.
About 80% of slips and falls that happen in the home occur in the bathroom.
So, there are two things that you can install that can help an older person’s safety in a bathroom.
The first thing that you can do is install a grab rail if you have a shower.
This allows them something sturdy to hang on to while they are taking a shower.
Plus, it is something that can be used to keep their balance if they think they are about to slip.
If you have a bathtub, you may want to consider changing it out and installing a Zero Threshold Walk-in shower installed.
Let’s face it, if your current a bathtub or shower requires a big step to get in and that is not going to be ideal for senior citizens.
They are likely going to need something that is easier to walk in, so installing something that prevents that step up can help.
Widen Doorways
Minimum ADA standards for doorways is 32” to get walkers and/or wheelchairs through the opening.
If you budget allows this should be considered as a priority. Your elderly parent may not need it today, however there may be a time soon that they will.
Making sure the primary care area is accessible should be a top priority.
Finally, if you want to minimize the risk of a slip and fall, you may want to consider having as many rooms in your home carpeted as possible.
This is because if you have hardwood flooring, that can increase the chances of a slip and fall happening.
That surface tends to be more slippery, so having carpets rather than hardwood can help minimize that risk.
INSTAL CARPETS
Finally, if you want to minimize the risk of a slip and fall, you may want to consider having as many rooms in your home carpeted as possible.
This is because if you have hardwood flooring, or tile, that can increase the chances of a slip and fall happening.
Those surfaces tend to be more slippery, so having carpets rather than hardwood and tile can help minimize that risk.
Hire a Remodeling Contractor
These are some of the best tips when it comes to remodeling your home for an older parent.
Unfortunately, people tend to get more physically limited as they get older, but that does not mean it cannot be worked around.
Help make life more convenient for your aging parent and more importantly, make their home a safer place.
Do you need a remodeling contractor for these installments? Message us today to get started.
Are you bringing an aging parent into your home? We’ve have experience assisting with remodeling projects that will help you invite in and properly support family in your home from a safety first mindset. Mariano & Co. specializes in home additions, renovations, and custom home builds. We are committed to providing each client with a 5-Star home remodeling experience. Call (480) 287-4096 or request an estimate online today!
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