Many people want to enjoy their golden years in the comfort of their home. But to realize this dream, their house may need to undergo home remodeling to make it more accessible. That’s because as people age, their mobility lessens. If you want to age in place, here are essential home modifications that can help you live independently. 

Wider Doors & Hallways

As you age, you may require the use of mobility devices like walkers and wheelchairs, so the doors in your home need to be wide enough to allow these devices through. As a rule of thumb, the width of the front door and interior doors should be at least 42 and 36 inches, respectively. 

Lever Door Handles

Opening doors can be challenging for people with osteoarthritis, which can make simple tasks such as turning a doorknob painful. To ensure people with this condition can easily access rooms when they need to, home renovation pros suggest that you replace all door knobs with easy-to-open lever handles. 

Non-Slip Flooring

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the leading cause of injury among Americans age 65 and above. That’s why non-slip flooring is a vital component of a mobility-friendly home. Here the pros and cons of the most widely used non-slip flooring materials: 

• Cork flooring – Insulative cork flooring is popular in homes in cold climates. It feels warm underfoot and is soft enough to provide cushion in the event of a fall. As for its disadvantages, cork flooring absorbs water easily. However, water retention shouldn’t be an issue as long as the cork flooring is properly sealed and maintained. 
• Carpeting – Like cork flooring, carpeting also provides cushion to offset some of the impact from an accidental fall. However, it’s not the best choice if you’re looking for a flooring material with minimal maintenance needs. 
• Non-slip vinyl flooring – As the name suggests, non-slip vinyl flooring is not slippery and has minimal maintenance needs. It’s hard enough to resist scratching and scrapes caused by mobility devices such as wheelchairs and walkers. Luxury vinyl flooring can mimic the look and feel of classic flooring materials such as wood and natural stone. 

Bathroom Flooring

A CDC study in 2018 found that 80% of bathroom accidents were due to bathroom slips, with adults over the age of 65 at a much higher risk of suffering bathroom injuries. To reduce the risk of falls, home remodeling contractors recommend installing small-format bathroom tile flooring. The smaller the bathroom tiles, the less slippery they are. 

Ground-Level Bathrooms & Bedrooms

When you reach a certain age or have arthritis, it gets harder to access certain parts of your home. That’s why home remodelers recommend relocating bedrooms to the ground floor and building a new bathroom on the first floor, if needed. 

Let’s Start a Conversation!

DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of St. Louis Park offers a wide range of professional bath, kitchen and interior remodeling services. To get started on your project, call us at (954) 637-6386 or get in touch with us via our online form. We serve homeowners in Stillwater, Afton, Sunfish Lake and many surrounding communities.