Home Renovations for Seniors to Age-in-Place

by Sue Long

It is clear that the US population of people over 65 is increasing at historic rates. The vast majority of seniors live in their own homes and 92% prefer to continue living in their homes for as long as possible or age-in-place. Remodelers say that they have received more requests for this in the past 5 years. The most common accessibility features desired are main floor bathrooms and bedrooms.

Other simple changes make staying at home easier such as putting a chair or bench in the bathroom, slip-resistant strips on the shower floor, lever-style of faucets and door handles, adjustable beds, motion-sensor or voice-activated lighting, short-pile carpet, easy to reach appliances, slide-out drawers in the kitchen and a lift chair for the living room.

Other changes are much more expensive such as installing lifts on stairs, widening hallways, lowering kitchen counters, converting a tub to a shower and installing ramps on the exterior. But some of the changes will add value to your home when you resell and others will harm the value.

Here is the list of which remodels that help and which will lower the resale value when you go to sell:

These Modifications can improve home value:

Full bathroom on main level
Doorways at least three feet wide
Hallways at least four feet wide
Non-slip floor surfaces
Entrance without steps
Lever door handles (instead of knobs)
Hands-free faucets
Pull-out drawers (rather than standard cabinets)
Automated light shades
Smart lighting system with LED bulbs and rocker light switches, controllable from smartphones

These modifications can decrease the value so think very carefully before you install:

Elevator (56% of respondents to a survey by the NAHB did not want this feature)
In-law suite (42% of NAHB respondents did not want this feature)
Permanent exterior ramps
Chair or wheelchair glides on stairs
Large grab bars
Push bars on doors (instead of handles)
Walk-in bathtubs

It is important that you consider the return on your investment, no matter which route you take. The cost to do the remodel may outweigh the benefit such as widening a hallway that involves a weight-bearing wall.

Here is a booklet that helps seniors when they are considering a move. Click here. Give us a call/text to help you consider the alternatives for moving and remodeling.

We are here to help.

Thanks,
Sue

GET MORE INFORMATION

Sue Long

Principal Broker | License ID: 850300205

+1(541) 740-7722