Age-in-place remodeling generally follows the aging-in-place checklist recommendations we have set out below. But we first discuss the reasons for its growing importance.
The Importance of Planning for Aging in Place
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines aging in place as “the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently and comfortably, regardless of age, income or ability level.”
We want to help our Baby Boomer population enjoy their retirement life longer, more fully, and in style by suggesting the subtle incorporation of aging-in-place design features into their remodel project. And, of course, the recommendations here are also for the benefit of younger people who may be planning long-term for themselves, or who need to make provisions for older family members.
The typical American home is designed for able-bodied young adults. But as the baby boom generation ages, boomers are looking for ways to make the typical home accommodate their changing bodies. They want this done as invisibly as possible and without loss of the style and comfort that they currently enjoy. Many designers and remodeling contractors are responding to the challenge.
This response stems from the Universal Design movement, also called “design for all” or “inclusive design,” where the concept is to make homes and furnishings function well for everyone, regardless of age, size, shape, or ability.
Our senior population now has the reason and the resources to comfortably and safely stay in their own home (with or without caregiver help) rather than go into Assisted Living or a nursing home. More than 90% of seniors would rather live in their own homes than move into some kind of facility. Currently, there are more than 46 million US seniors over age 65. This is predicted to increase to almost 90 million by 2050.
Obviously, this is putting great pressure on the existing housing stock to adapt to the task of accommodating this population. In fact, aging in place is forcing a revolution in the remodeling industry.
And let’s not forget that the design principles involved are also highly appropriate as we make provision for the proper treatment and accommodation of our wounded warriors.
Designing for Aging in Place Remodeling
A well-designed remodel provides for ‘aging in place’ in elegance and style and there is a large array of design ideas, design standards, resources, and manufactured items from which the remodeler can draw. We have listed many of them below and in doing so note that ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance and Universal Design standards, while having, different purposes, both make useful contributions to the cause of aging in place remodeling.
The features we have listed in the checklists below are organized for reference and with some repetition to help you think through your own requirements. Every feature is by no means applicable in every case. Rather these are menu items and food for thought for people considering aging-in-place remodeling.
- See this related post: Design for Aging in Place
Technology Caution: Smart Home technology is all the rage but don’t obsess about it and remember that some older people can get confused by tech. A user-friendly underlying physical infrastructure is what really matters with Aging-in-Place. It is permanent, while the tech is ever-changing.
That said, by all means, explore the voice-activated applications offered by Alexa and Google Home and increasingly incorporated by appliance and lighting manufacturers. And also explore third-party services, who will set up home automation for you.
General Aging in Place Remodeling
Accessibility
1: Adapt the lower floor of the home for possible one-level living
2: Wider (48”) hallways (structure permitting)
3: Easy garage or parking access
4: At least one entry is without steps
5: Door peephole at a low height
6: Doorways 36″ wide with off-set hinges on doors
7: Pocket Doors
8: Automatic Door Operators
9: Levered door handles instead of knobs
10: Easy to open or lock patio doors and screens
11: Lower window sills especially for windows on the street
12: Shelf outside the front door (to place packages while searching for keys)
13: Wheelchair ramps
14: Wheelchair lifts
15: Stairway power chair lifts
16: Railings
17: Patient Lifts
18: Stair Lifts
19: Elevators
20: Pool and Spa Lifts
21: Lever-style door handles (easier than gripping knobs for people with limited dexterity)
Lighting
22: Additional lighting Installed to remove dark areas and help illuminate transitions or steps
23: Increased incandescent general and specific task lighting but prefer LED
24: Increase natural light (windows, skylights, solar tubes)
25: Automated lighting (motion sensors)
26; Adjustable controls on light switches
27: Illuminated switches in bedrooms, baths, and hallways
- See this related post: Aging in place & visual impairment
Electrical
28: Electrical outlets at 18 inches instead of 12
28: Light switches at 42″ instead of 48
29: Strobe light or vibrator-assisted smoke and burglar alarms
30: Additional outlets in front of cabinets
31: Larger panels (or sub-panels) to accommodate new appliances, medical devices, lifts, etc.
32: Back-up generator power for medical devices
Plumbing
33: Anti-scald devices (the skin of the elderly is less sensitive to heat and can be inadvertently scalded)
34: Foot pedal-operated faucets
35: Other hands-free faucets
Ventilation
36: Programmable thermostats for heating and cooling
37: Ceiling fans w/ remotes
Flooring
38: Hardwood or tile flooring for ease of cleaning
39: Vinyl flooring for a softer feel
40: Nonskid flooring
41: Anti-slip coatings
42: Backer pads to prevent rugs sliding (preferably no rugs at all)
43: Step highlighting
44: Low-pile commercial carpet glued directly to the floor
Visibility
45: Contrast colors between floor and walls
46: Color borders around floor and countertop edges
47: Matte finish paint, flooring, and countertops
48: Non-glare glass on artwork
Security
49: Internet-based caregiver cameras to view what is happening in the house from any computer
50: Door cameras to see who is at the door from any computer or on closed-circuit television
51: Trip/fall alarms
52: Medication reminders
53: Emergency response system (installed or wearable)
Kitchen Specific Aging in Place Remodeling
Kitchen accessibility
54: Kitchen-floor edging in a contrasting color to help orient people with limited eyesight
55: Easy access ABC-rated fire extinguisher (A for paper/wood; B for flammable liquids; C for electrical)
Kitchen cabinets and counters
56: Kitchen cabinets with pull-out shelves
57: Easy clean countertop surfaces
58: Create a workspace with knee/ wheelchair clearance
59: Easy-to-grasp cabinet knobs or pulls
60: Place sink near the stove (but have a “landing” counter space in between
61: Task lighting under upper cabinets
62: Adjustable upper shelves and pull-out lower shelves
63: Variety in height of kitchen counters with some as low as 30 inches
64: Color or pattern borders at counter edges
65: Lazy Susans
66: Pull-out storage
67: Full extension drawers
68: Cabinet doors that retract to leave knee space for people in wheelchairs
69: Extra deep and high toe kick to allow wheelchair user foot space
70: A counter that slides out from under the oven
71: Rounded counter edges
72: Counters and sinks you can raise and lower
73: Movable kitchen island on lockable casters
74: Comfort height counters
75: Multi-height counters
76: ADA-compliant cabinets (higher toe kicks, lower countertops, etc.)
77: Pull-out steps around the perimeter of cabinets for easy reach of upper cabinets
78: Roll-out shelving
79: Cabinet lifts
80: Glass-front upper cabinets for visibility
81: Plenty of storage within the so-called “optimal reach” zone. This is the space between 20 and 44 inches above the floor and 20 inches from the body)
82: Use drawers rather than cupboards where possible.
83: Use of C or D-type handles on cabinets
Kitchen Appliances
84: Accessible appliances, such as drawer dishwashers positioned on either side of the sink in lieu of the standard dishwasher with its awkward drop-down front.
85: A multitasking convection/microwave at shoulder height
86: French door ovens to avoid stooping for the awkward dropdown front oven
87: ADA-compliant appliances
88: Easy-to-reach controls
89: Dishwasher elevated for greater accessibility
90: Dishwasher drawers
91: Cooktop controls in front
92: Color-contrasted controls for people with low vision
93: Magnetic induction cooktop for greater safety
94: Side-by-side refrigerator/freezer (doors have narrower swing radius)
95: French door oven (easier to use than the drop-down front oven)
96: Gas sensor near gas cooking, water heater, and gas furnace
Kitchen Sinks and Faucets
97: Single handle control, side-mounted for easier reach
98: Adjustable height sink
99: Hands-free faucet
100: Pull-out sprayer
101: Pot filler faucet located close to the cooktop
102: Reduced depth sinks (for wheelchair access)
103: Motorized sink (raise and lower to suit a wheelchair user)
104: Easy-to-reach disposal switch
105: Anti-scald device for faucet
Bathroom Specific Aging in Place Remodeling
General Bathroom Accessibility
106: Telephone jack (yes – mobile phones are not senior-friendly and we like landlines for back-up)
107: Wet Room: incorporates a shower, tub, and toilet all in one easy-to-clean area
108: Bathrooms with a turnaround and transfer space for walker or wheelchair (36″ by 36″)
109: Wheelchair-accessible sinks and vanities
110: Anti-scald device on the water heater
Vanities/Faucets
111: Lever faucets and faucet mixers with anti-scald valves
112: Hands-free sink faucets (proximity triggered or foot pedal operated)
113: Accessible sink (cantilevered to allow for wheelchair below)
114: Higher bathroom counters
Toilet-Bidet
115: Taller (comfort height) toilets rather than institutional toilet extenders
116: Wall-mounted toilets for easier cleaning
117: Automatic/Hands-free flushing devices
118: Bidet or “washlet.” This is a toilet seat bidet by Toto. You need an electrical outlet nearby
- See this related post: Bidet-toilet combo
Showers/Tubs
119: Temperature-controlled shower and tub fixtures
120: Stall shower with a low or no threshold and shower seat/transfer bench
121: Bench in tub
122: Bench in shower
123: Grab bars at back and sides of the shower, tub and toilet or wall reinforcement for later installation)
124: Walk-in tub
125: Walk-in/roll-in accessible shower
126: Bath lifts
127: Easy-use, adjustable height shower heads
128: Shower hoses and hand-held showerheads
129: Multiple showerhead systems (“Shower Tower” by Kohler)
130: Steam shower/sauna: great for anyone but exercise proper caution.
