Americans are living longer than ever before, and we can all agree that this is great news. However, with extended life come new challenges for those who wish to live independently in their own homes throughout their lives. Fortunately, with some modifications, almost any dwelling can continue to serve the needs of its residents. So here are a few home remodeling tips to keep in mind as you explore the available options.
Start early
The best time to start modifying your home is before you need it done. For example, those who use wheelchairs often require extra-wide doorways to maneuver through, yet by the time such needs arise, the person may not be in a financial position to pay for the work. For this reason, experts recommend that homeowners commence such projects while they’re still employed. This way, when they become necessities later in life, the modifications will not impose a financial burden on those who must get by on set incomes.
Do a walk-through
Not everyone lives life in the same way. Each of us has unique habits and styles of performing tasks such as cooking, bathing, dressing, etc. These factors must be considered when planning for home remodeling. For example, to some people, the bedroom is a place for sleeping – period. To others, however, it serves as sort of a secondary living room, in which activities like reading, watching TV, and even socializing occur. Some people see the living room as strictly for entertaining guests, while others use it to take naps, listen to music, or eat meals. Taking these facts into consideration when making remodeling decision will help ensure that the modified home helps owners to live as closely as possible to what they consider “normal.”
Remember the outside
Most people prefer to have access to the out-of-doors whenever they choose. For handicapped or elderly homeowners, this often means ramps, paved paths, clearing of obstructions, and possible major modifications like removing an in-ground swimming pool.
These aspects of the remodeling process may also entail changes that allow residents to continue favorite activities for as long as possible. A prime example is gardening, a hobby which people of all ages are passionate about. Raised flower beds and smooth pathways between plots can enable gardeners to enjoy growing and tending to plants well into their later years.
Know what you can do for yourself…
America is a land of do-it-yourselfers, and this applies especially to projects like woodworking, furniture building, and many aspects of home improvement. Fortunately, there are a number of remodeling tasks that can be handled by the average person that will also contribute to a higher quality-of-life later in. These include:
- Installing railings on stairways as needed.
- Painting walls brighter colors, to aid those with failing vision.
- Rearranging furniture to allow for wider passages through the home.
…and what you can’t.
Other jobs require the skills of a professional, highly experienced home remodeling company. These tasks generally include the following:
- Any job that involves rerouting major plumbing components like water or sewer pipes. For example, persons in wheelchairs often benefit from having a lowered sink installed in the kitchen. However, doing so requires a level of expertise rarely possessed by persons who aren’t remodeling professionals.
- Work that necessitates altering or adding to the home’s wiring, such as adding lighting fixtures.
- Tasks that require structural changes to the home itself. These can range from building first-floor additions to altering closets or counter heights.
When considering such changes to your home, we invite you to contact us here at Criner Remodeling. We have many years of experience and training in our field. Plus, we’re experts at modifying homes to make them more livable for the elderly or handicapped. Call us today to find out more.