A Guide To Aging In Place In Alabama
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), aging in place is defined as the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently and comfortably, regardless of age, income or ability level. In order for a person to remain in the home they love as they age, it must be built or modified to ensure that every season of life is considered. Otherwise, the chances of slips, falls, and other injuries increase and their overall sense of comfort and safety decreases. The reality is that most homes (old and new) are built with active adults in mind and don’t consider challenges that may arise down the road.
Universal design, barrier free, and home modification or remodeling
There are a lot of buzzwords out there in relation to aging in place as well as some newer building concepts that have been identified. Let’s take a look at a few.
Universal design
Universal design is a concept of building that focuses on making a house safe and accessible for everyone regardless of their age, physical ability, or stature. Examples of universal design include:
Wider doorways
Wider hallways that lead back into common areas and not dead-ends
Varied height cabinets and countertops
Lever-style handles on doors and faucets
Grab bars in bathrooms
Easy-access drawers
Generous lighting
Barrier free design
Similar to universal design, barrier free specifically addresses accessibility for people who are confined to wheelchairs, or otherwise disabled because of functional limitations. Barrier free is a way for homeowners to interact with their home easier. It typically consists of removing or replacing the things that prevent a person from using their home the way they need to. Examples of barrier-free design include:
Replacing tubs or shower stalls with roll-in showers for easy access to bathing
Improving visibility with better and/or more lighting
Opening up space in rooms by removing or rearranging furniture
Implementing smarthome technology that makes turning on lighting, heating and cooling systems, and electronics easier
Widening doorways and hallways to make them more accessible for those using wheelchairs and other mobility aids
Installing a ramp to make it easier to enter and exit a home
Home modification or remodeling
Home modification or remodeling consists of altering a structure to meet the needs of those living within. In this case, we’re talking about the elderly population whose physical abilities have decreased with age or who require mobility aids. When they cannot go about their daily routines easily or safely, it is time to consider remodeling. Home modification examples for aging in place include:
How much does it cost to modify or remodel a home for aging in place?
Home modifications and remodeling projects vary in scope and pricing. Changing out door knobs with lever handles or installing grab bars in the shower and by the toilet will not set you back as much as adding a walk-in or roll-in shower or installing new countertops and cabinets.
Financial assistance for home modifications
If finances are an obstacle that may prevent an individual from aging in place, there may be help available. While we cannot speak with any level of expertise on this particular subject, we recommend researching options. M4A (Shelby County) and United Way of Central Alabama, Inc. (Jefferson County) are a couple of resources we came across and we’d also encourage loved ones or caregivers to reach out to their local government or community agencies for help identifying resources.
Schedule a free on-site consultation
If you’re considering remodeling a room or several to accommodate aging in place, Serve One Construction would love to discuss the project with you. Simply schedule a free on-site consultation and Nick will stop by to take a look at the space(s) you’d like modified and provide you with a quote for the updates.
Why choose Serve One Construction
Serving Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills, and Hoover as well as communities throughout Greater Birmingham for more than 10 years, our locally owned home improvement company takes pride in quality construction and excellent customer service. We’ll walk you through every step of the project to ensure you’re more than happy with the end product.