Accessibility Design
03
Dec

Must Haves For Aging In Place Living

At Glickman| Design Remodel Build we’ve designed and built dozens of remodeling and addition projects for aging homeowners who appreciate the amenities and easygoing lifestyle of assisted living communities, but want to age in place, in their lifelong homes and familiar neighborhoods. While it may be intimidating to consider aging in your own home if it wasn’t designed for long-term care, there are many options that Glickman can offer that can help you stay in your home well past retirement.

Here just a few of the must haves for creating your Home For Life!

Widen Doorways
Creating wider doorways enable devices such as walkers or wheelchairs to navigate through easily around the home. This may be the most popular and useful modification that can be made. 

Install Ramps
Exterior stairs may be a challenge for seniors who are unsteady on their feet or have balance issues, so installing ramps is a necessary home modification that is well worth the cost to provide greater independence.

indoor threshold ramps are also necessary home modifications for older adults who use wheelchairs. These indoor ramps provide smooth transitions from one surface to another, making it safer to navigate throughout the home.

Must Haves For Aging In Place

Kitchen Modifications
As home owners age, it’s common that appliances are no longer in ideal locations and that their countertops and cabinetry are too high, especially if they are in a wheelchair. Glickman can design a modern, mobility friendly kitchen that includes: a lower sink to allow for easier access from a seated position. Lowered countertops and ranges as well as hidden appliances in cabinets such as blenders and microwaves.

Must Haves For Aging In Place

Shower and Bathtub Modifications
There is no room where safety and mobility considerations are more important than in the bathroom. Modifications for the Aging-In-Place bathroom include: replacing the bathtub with a walk-in shower. They provide much easier (and safer) entry and exit. Or a second bathroom modification option is to replace a traditional bathtub with a walk-in tub. Plenty of grab bars in strategic locations around the room and no slip flooring in the shower and sink areas are a must.

Must Haves For Aging In Place
Must Haves For Aging In Place

Smart Home Devices
Glickman can provide a comprehensive list and install Smart Home Devises as part of your remodel or addition. Voice-controlled home devices such as Amazon Echo and Google Home are great for the casual user who wants assistance with automated lighting, reminders for medication and appointments, access to your media, calling your friends, and easy ordering of groceries and household products as they run out. You can also install smart doorbells at your front door that connect to Alexa and provide a variety of functions, including video monitoring, customized ringtones (including those to deter predators), and two-way conversations. Smart lighting is another excellent independence booster.

Must Haves For Aging In Place
Must Haves For Aging In Place

How to get started creating your Aging-In-Place masterpiece
We encourage you to research, ask your friends and family and noodle a bit over how you would enhance your home to truly make it “Your Home For Life”. Then call
Glickman |Design Remodel Build. We’ve been helping homeowners just like yourself in the DMV for over 40 years with creative design and premium quality construction.

Please contact us or call us at the numbers below.

Maryland: (301) 444-4663
Virginia: (703) 832-8159
Washington, DC: (202) 792-7320