Renovation Tips from an Expert
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Hi, I am Max Tripodi, the Aging in Place Contractor. I am a professional general contractor with more than 25 years of experience, and I am now passing on my professional secrets to you.
Making decisions that impact the potential safety and wellbeing of your loved one as they age in place isn’t easy. When I talk with DIYers planning an aging-in-place home renovation, the stress of choosing the safest products seems especially high in the kitchen – a potentially dangerous room in the home where slips, falls and … Read more
Designing any kitchen – especially an aging-in-place kitchen – can be an extremely overwhelming task. Before you start sketching, shopping and comparing color swatches, keep in mind that there are really only three primary goals for an aging-in-place kitchen. Reduce Pain Increase Comfort Create a Safe Environment As you work through your aging-in-place kitchen plans, … Read more
When I talk with DIYers in the early planning stages of an aging-in-place bathroom renovation, they almost always ask me which bathroom faucets are the safest and which one they should buy. My answer: an ADA-compliant bathroom faucet from Delta. Why ADA-Compliant? Back in the ‘90s, the American Disabilities Act, or ADA, was passed mandating … Read more
When I talk to homeowners about painting a bathroom for aging in place, just about every one of them desperately wants to know how to make painting behind the toilet easier. Here’s what I tell them: “If you’re attempting to paint behind your toilet without the right tools and know-how, you might as well be … Read more
When you set out to find the perfect shower faucet for your aging-in-place bathroom remodel, you’ll need to think beyond your parent’s favorite color, finish or style. In order for a bathroom faucet to be safe enough for an older adult to age in place successfully, shower faucets have to meet a set of strict … Read more
Today’s paint trends have most of us painting white walls in white kitchens with pops of grays and blues spread throughout the rest of the house. If you’re planning to paint an aging-in-place home, however, steer clear of soft colors that blend from one room to another. Instead, look for a mix of high-contrast paint … Read more
A fresh coat of paint is a beautiful thing. There’s no easier way to immediately make your surroundings look fresh and clean, and it can make a huge difference in the way older adults feel about their home. If you’re a DIY painting novice or if it’s been a while since you picked up a … Read more
Painting may very well be the most popular home DIY project. It’s relatively easy, doesn’t break the bank, and it’s a job you can usually finish in a weekend or two. For the aging-in-place home, updating the color on the walls can provide a lot of benefits. Why Does Paint Matter When You’re Upgrading a … Read more
For older adults aging in place, especially those living with arthritis, simple tasks like opening and closing doors can be extremely painful. Swapping out door knobs for easy-to-open door levers is a great way to immediately reduce the discomfort older adults with arthritis experience in their home. Installing a new door lever is almost always … Read more
As we age, our muscles tire out and our joints get stiff. If you’ve watched your parents grow older, you’ve seen how simple things like opening and closing the front door or a kitchen drawer are now a challenge. And, sometimes even painful. There are a lot of aging-in-place renovations that you can make to … Read more
When we talk about aging-in-place renovations, we tend to focus on safety upgrades to bathrooms, kitchens, doorways, and the other main living areas of a home. The foyer is one area that usually gets overlooked. And yet, it can be an equally dangerous place for seniors. Think about the rain, mud, and snow that you … Read more
Doorways can be dangerous areas of the home for older adults choosing to age in place. The slight rise in elevation that the threshold creates is a tripping hazard for those with mobility issues. It can also present an obstacle for those using a walker and can make it difficult to get around the house … Read more
Our shower can become a dangerous place as we age. Nearly one in three injuries among elderly adults happens in the bathroom, most while showering or bathing. Traditional bathrooms have high-threshold tubs and getting in and out is one of the biggest challenges for someone who’s bound to a wheelchair or has any type of … Read more
One of the biggest challenges I see time and time again in aging in place design is figuring out how to help someone safely move from room to room in their home. And, when that aging parent or friend relies on a wheelchair or faces other mobility issues, accessibility becomes an even greater challenge. Modern … Read more
Kitchens and bathrooms are notorious danger zones, but with the right type of flooring products, they don’t have to be. Here are four products that can improve your safety and elevate your quality of life in these rooms.
As we age, it’s natural for our eyes to begin to change, but those changes affect everyone differently. Some may not be able to see small details like they once could, while others may notice that they have an increased sensitivity to glare. No matter which complications affect us, for those looking to safely age … Read more
Unlike most home renovation projects, an aging-in-place project aims to make a home more safe and age-friendly. That may mean maintaining the look, feel, and style of the home even though substantial changes are made to the property. For condominiums, this can be particularly challenging due to two main factors: the rules and regulations of … Read more
When approaching an aging in place project, it’s important that all homeowners take a look at their environment and identify potential obstacles that could impact their daily life. One of those obstacles may be the type of faucets and sinks around the home. Kitchen and bathroom faucets provide a unique challenge for aging adults. Limited … Read more
When beginning the transition to age in place, many people wonder if their home is going to look clinical or institutional after the renovations are done. The good news is it doesn’t have to. No one should have to sacrifice design and aesthetics for function and safety. More companies than ever are sensitive to the … Read more
6 Simple Changes You Can Make Right Now to Add the Power of Smart Technology to Your Aging in Place Plans While America may be graying, our society is changing by the minute. Technological advancements have impacted almost every aspect of our lives, and it’s safe to say this trend will continue. Not surprisingly, smart … Read more
Aging in Place – Frequently Asked Questions What is AIP? Aging in Place, commonly shortened to AIP, is when a person makes the conscious decision to stay in their home as they age. In order to do so, they may incorporate home modifications to improve their living conditions and maintain a good quality of life. … Read more
Creating an environment that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional for your aging-in-place (AIP) home might seem like an uphill battle, but it shouldn’t. The goal of any aging-in-place renovation is for the safety features to blend seamlessly with the home’s overall style and design. Doors, windows, acoustics, and contrasting colors are just a few … Read more
Whether you’re entering retirement or experiencing it, remodeling your home has probably been on your mind for a while. Now, it’s finally time to implement all the ideas you’ve had during your working years and make your dreams a reality in your golden ones. As you start to plan, however, don’t overlook the importance of … Read more
The Five Types of AIP Design and How They Impact Aging Adults You’re ready to begin your aging in place project, but the design options seem infinite. You know there are some basic features, but the design must be right for you, your friends, and your family. Choosing the right design is key to having … Read more
What You Can Expect from Your Aging in Place Contractor Estimate Thinking about remodeling your home for aging in place? If so, you’ll need to understand the importance of an accurate contractor estimate. This means becoming familiar with the terminology contractors use and ensuring the estimate includes every detail of the scope of work you … Read more
AGING IN PLACE: HOW TO PLAN YOUR KITCHEN COUNTERS From holidays to birthdays to special occasions to the everyday meals you make for the ones you love, the kitchen is where the heart blossoms and memories are made. Choosing to age in your home does not mean these traditions need to be tossed aside. Yet … Read more
The kitchen is typically one of the rooms in which you spend large amounts of time, whether it be creating a meal for one, or inviting family and friends to join you. When adapting a kitchen for aging in place, it’s important for the kitchen to retain that significance, so that you may keep alive … Read more
Toilets are sometimes seen as a one-size-fits-all fixture, but there are a variety of different styles that cater to the aging in place population.