RENOVATING your home for sale or simply for an upgrade and refresh, it’s good idea to consider some of these tips – they will certainly make life easier as you grow older, open the market up to a new market sector and in some cases, make life simpler should a family member injure an arm or a leg.
Trips and falls can cause injuries which make family members dependent on others for help, no matter the age, so while you’re doing a home reno it’s a good idea to consider these tips during the planning stages.
Perhaps the easiest and cheapest upgrade is to install grab bars and handrails
in bathrooms, toilets and stairs – the places where most accidents happen.
Even consider hand rails on one side of those front and back door steps – there may only be a few steps, but a sturdy hand rail could make a significant difference.
And there are a wide range of grab bars and handrails on the market so you can choose a type that complements the interior or exterior design of your home.
Non-slip flooring can save everyone from slips and falls. It is particularly important on hard floors which are slippery when wet – the landing is hard on the body and yet the solution could be easy.
Replace tiles with materials such as vinyl, cork, rubber or carpet to reduce the risk of slips and falls and have the added benefit of being more comfortable to walk and stand on. If you are keen to keep your tiles in place, investigate the options for applying a non-slip treatment or the strategic use of rubber matting.
Again, the options don’t have to ‘ruin the look’ of your home.
For anyone using a wheelchair, walker or mobility scooter, narrow doorways can be hugely problematic.
Widening doorways may seem daunting but the outlay will undoubtedly be worth it in the real estate marketplace or in making it possible for you to remain in your own home much longer as you age.
Walk-in showers where seating can be wheeled in or you can walk straight in without worrying about trip hazards are another investment in upping the longevity of living in your own home.
Handheld showerheads also offer flexibility, making it easier to bathe while seated.
If you’ve been leafing through home renovation or home design magazines looking for ideas, you’ll know that these types of showers are on trend and stylish.
Upgrading the lighting in your home has a multitude of benefits.
Adding more light fixtures or swapping out bulbs for brighter, energy-efficient options can make a big difference. And motion-sensor lights can be a real boon as can getting an electrician in to link all the lights in a room – one flick of the switch and wall lights, lamps and ceiling lights all turn on – no hunting round for difficult to reach lamp buttons.
Failing strength in your hands can be a problem when it comes to turning on taps and opening doors – lever style taps and door handles can solve that problem and ease the pressure on arthritic joints.
Think about the number of times in a day you open a door or turn a tap on and off – make it easier to do and you’ll understand how much of an impact it will have on the older user.
A more expensive consideration, but one which will also improve liveability for those who have trouble walking up and down stairs – ramps outside and in a two storey home, chair lifts attached to the stairs are options to consider.
