Most homes are built to meet the needs of 20- or 30-somethings with no mobility challenges. But if safety and accessibility are a concern for you, you may face the possibility of relocating from the home you love. Don’t pack up your things just yet — Stonehearth Remodeling may have the answer to your dilemma.
The solution you’re looking for is called aging-in-place remodeling. This design style incorporates mobility-focused modifications that improve your quality of life and allow you to confidently remain in your home as your needs change.
Learn more about aging in place here, or contact us at (763) 427-7330 to schedule a consultation with our Minneapolis home remodelers.
What Is Aging-in-Place Remodeling?
Also known as universal design, aging-in-place remodeling aims to make daily life easier for people with limited mobility, balance issues, cognitive decline, and other challenges commonly associated with aging.
This is considered an alternative to moving for the millions of U.S. homeowners who experience changing abilities throughout their lives, whether due to an illness, traumatic accident, or the aging process.
Benefits of Aging-in-Place Remodeling
Why would you choose to remodel your home rather than relocate to an assisted living facility or make do with what you have? Here are a few reasons:
- Safety and peace of mind: Stairs, slippery surfaces, and tall-sided bathtubs present safety hazards to people with limited mobility. Aging-in-place remodeling makes it easier to get around safely, providing peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
- Independence: Perhaps you love cooking, but your upper cabinets and faucet handles are inaccessible now that you use a wheelchair. Targeted modifications help you maintain your independence in the kitchen and elsewhere.
- Improved quality of life: You probably revel in the familiarity of your family home. Aging-in-place design allows you to remain in the home you love with added accessibility features that improve your quality of life.
- Cost-effectiveness: Updating your home to meet your mobility needs is far more affordable than paying to live in an assisted living facility.
Examples of Aging-in-Place Design
So what does aging in place look like? The answer is a little different for everyone. Consider some of the most common ways you can update your home with aging- and health-related reasons in mind.
Bathroom Designs for Aging in Place
The bathroom is one of the most important areas of the home to incorporate universal design. Carefully planned bathroom renovations for aging in place can include the following:
- Walk-in tubs
- Barrier-free showers
- Slip-resistant flooring in bathtubs and showers
- Handrails and grab bars
- Comfort-height toilets
Kitchen Designs for Aging in Place
The kitchen is another room where universal design can have a life-changing impact. Here are the types of accessibility features you may want to include in your kitchen remodel:
- Motorized cabinets
- Pull-out shelves
- Custom countertop heights
- Rounded corners on walls and countertops
- Open space under the kitchen sink for wheelchair access
Other Examples of Aging-in-Place Design
There are ways to incorporate universal design throughout your entire house. Whole-home remodeling is your chance to make the following changes:
- Main floor master suite
- Widened halls and doorways
- No-step entry
- Lever door handles
- Motion-sensor lighting
- Low-pile carpet
Contact Stonehearth for Aging-in-Place Remodeling in Minneapolis
No matter what aging-in-place designs you want to incorporate, Stonehearth can make your vision a reality.
We don’t just focus on providing a functional, beautiful finished product — we also offer price transparency, built-in communication, and design services to promote your satisfaction every step of the way. It’s all part of our E2E Protocol that makes us different from other remodeling companies in Minneapolis.
Contact Stonehearth at (763) 427-7330 to learn more about our services or request a consultation.