We all age, there’s no escaping it. As we progress through life and the seasons change, so do we. We raise kids, see them leave the family home and build a life for themselves. We work hard and look forward to retirement. We connect with friends and family and enjoy life to the fullest. However, as you age, it makes sense to future-proof your home so that you can live there as long as possible and have it remain safe and sound. This helpful article will share a guide to getting older and how you can future-proof your home with some minor and major modifications. So, if you’re ageing and are keen to learn how you can adapt your home as you age, continue reading to learn more.
A Tip About Future Proofing
A few things factor in here, such as budget, location, and council restrictions, so some future-proofing strategies won’t suit everyone and their unique circumstances and needs. This article will include some low-key changes as well as more dramatic ones, just as a heads up.
Home Lifts
As you age, you could consider installing home lifts. Home lifts, also known as residential lifts, are powered devices designed to transport you between floors in your home, offering an alternative to stairs. These devices are particularly beneficial for individuals with mobility limitations, such as the elderly, making multi-story living more accessible and comfortable and meaning you can stay in your home longer as you get older. Home lifts can also enhance convenience and potentially increase property value, too. A home lift might be the perfect future-proofing for your home as you age.
Entrances and Exit Modifications
You can modify the entrances and exits to your home to future-proof it and allow accessibility and ease of access as you age. Searching for a professional such as Garage door company in Yuba City Ca or near you will help you find someone who has experience with this. Some examples here are no-step entryways, so you don’t have to climb steps to access your home, preventing falls and exertion when entering. Some other options here include wider doorways that can accommodate walking aids and wheelchairs, and ramps for wheelchair access. This is a relatively simple and easy home modification to achieve that should be possible for most homes.
Bathrooms
Now, we’ll cover future-proofing your bathroom to allow ease of accessibility and use as you age. One thing you can do here is install walk-in showers without steps so you can easily access your shower and bathe without issue. Another tip is to purchase a shower stool and modify your shower head to a handle so you can easily sit down and shower without the possibility of a fall.
Another simple modification to your bathroom includes hand and grab rails so that you can easily get into and out of the shower and on and off the toilet. Non-slip flooring is another option here to reduce the risk of falls, as is installing adjustable-height fixtures for accessibility and ease of use.
Kitchen Modifications
You could modify your kitchen as you age, allowing you to remain independent and able to cook and clean without assistance for longer. Some tips here include ergonomic design modifications allowing for accessibility and ease of use, and easy access storage so you don’t have to get on a foot stool or reach for cupboards. Lever-style taps are another modification to allow you to live comfortably in your home for longer as you age.
Flooring and Lighting
When it comes to flooring and modifying your home as you age, you can consider installing non-slip flooring throughout your home, reducing the chance of falls and allowing you to traverse your home more easily. You can also upgrade your lighting to be brighter and even throughout the home, illuminating your whole house to reduce fall risk. Motion sensor lights in hallways are another great idea, such as the hallway to your bathroom, so you don’t have to fumble in the dark for a light switch when you get up in the night, when nature calls.
Smart Home Technology
You can consider installing some smart home modifications for ease of living and safety, as well as convenience and emergency help. For instance, smart locks on your doors allow for remote unlocking and locking, enhancing security and offering convenience. Voice-activated assistants such as Google Home or Amazon Alexa allow for control of smart devices, reminders, information access, such as checking the weather or access to information, such as the news.
Smart thermostats can offer automated temperature control, optimising your comfort and boosting energy efficiency. At the same time, wearable fall detection systems or integrated sensors in your home can detect falls and automatically alert emergency services. Smart medication dispensers can issue reminders to take your medication and automate medication dispensing, which is important as you age.
Consult the Professionals
When getting ready to modify your home as you age, it is important to get in touch with professionals who can assist. An occupational therapist can work with you to assess your level of function and recommend home modifications based on this, whereas a home designer and builder can assist with the practical and logistical steps of modifying your home to future-proof it as you age.
A Home Modification Summary
This helpful article has covered a guide to getting older, and how to future-proof your home as you age. We’ve covered minor and major home modifications, from home lifts to bathroom, kitchen, flooring and lighting modifications. Furthermore, we’ve covered some smart home features that can enhance function and security, too.
