Renovation Tips from an Expert
Updating your bathroom – whether it be new shower doors, faucets or new tiling – can play a significant role in making your home age in place compliant. Installing tile on your shower ceiling may be a personal decision, but it is necessary in some cases. Building codes often require up to 6-inches of waterproof … Read more
Finding the perfect shower curtain for the aging-in-place home is no easy task. It’s hard to check off all the boxes. It has to be waterproof, prevent slippery floors, provide privacy — but most of all, it has to be mold-resistant. Mold and mildew buildup can create an unhealthy environment for your loved one, something … Read more
According to the National Institute on Aging, nearly 80% of falls happen in the bathroom. As an aging-in-place contractor, I can vouch for the importance of bathroom safety and the peace of mind a redesign can bring for you and your loved ones. Converting your current tub/shower combo into a zero-threshold shower is one of … Read more
Picking out ADA compliant shower head/handheld combos is important when upgrading the aging-in-place home. There are many different factors that play into picking the perfect shower system. One aspect to consider is weight. If your loved one struggles with arthritis or has trouble lifting heavy objects, the shower head has to be light enough for … Read more
Shower Hose Extenders are an aging-in-place upgrade that serves a few beneficial purposes for your loved ones. They make cleaning showers or bathtubs extremely simple by allowing you to reach all corners of the area without reaching too far or risking slipping inside of the shower. Shower hose extenders also make it easier to wash … Read more
In the aging-in-place home, it’s important for your loved one to have a shower head that is versatile to perfectly fit their shower head style, and also adjust to the ideal height and angle. Making sure the shower head extension is easy to adjust and high quality to ensure no leaking or breaks is also … Read more
As your loved ones get older and their eyes start changing, it may be harder to see in the mirror when getting ready if it’s against the wall and unaccessible. Swing arm mirrors are a reliable solution for this problem. They are easy to move in and out and adjust to the perfect spot. Not … Read more
The stigma that ‘aging-in-place’ and ‘design’ can’t co-exist under one roof is the farthest thing from the truth. Gone are the days when older adults have to give up on the way their home looks in order to make it a safer place to live. That’s a big part of why I love what I … Read more
Safety is the big concern with every aging-in-place bathroom renovation. What many aging-in-place DIYers don’t realize, however, is that once the renovation is complete, the work to keep the bathroom safe is far from over – and the battle against bathroom clutter begins. Bathroom Clutter Creates Major Safety Issues for Older Adults Cluttered bathrooms and … Read more
When you’re renovating to make your parent’s home safer as they age, the biggest challenge can many times be trying to create the ideal aging-in-place home within the constraints of the current floorplan. One such example – a small bathroom. Older homes don’t always have the big beautiful master baths that we’re used to seeing … Read more
One of the most common questions I hear from aging-in-place DIYers is ‘where do I start?’. If you have the luxury of time and can afford to slowly make upgrades to an aging-in-place home, there’s no right or wrong answer. If, however, your parent is already in need of serious safety upgrades, my advice is … Read more
If you’re just starting to think about an upcoming small bathroom remodel for aging in place, your head is probably spinning. There’s so much to consider in a standard bathroom remodel. With the added layer of creating a safe bathroom for aging in place, you have what can feel like a million decisions to make. … Read more
Safety is always my number one focus when I’m renovating any aging-in-place home. And, nowhere is safety more critical for your parent than in the bathroom. The bathroom is by far the most common room in the home for an older adult to fall and become seriously injured. You can imagine how dangerous a wet … Read more
Our eyes go through a lot of changes as we age. Yes, older adults are known for turning the font size on their phones way up and holding books at arm’s length. The real challenges that aged eyes face, though, is in seeing small details, color contrast and the distinction between light and dark. Our … Read more
Older adults slip and fall in the bathroom at a higher rate than any other room in the home. The bathroom can be a scary place for adults as they age. And the fear of falling in the shower or while at the sink is a real worry that often adds another layer of stress … Read more
Our job as aging-in-place builders and designers is to make life easier, less painful, and more comfortable for older adults. Something as simple as a smart storage solution that makes everyday household items easier to reach can help us make big progress towards this goal. Let’s take a look at the bathroom – the room … Read more
A relaxing shower can provide a lot of therapeutic health benefits for an older adult aging in place. However, it can also be one of the most dangerous activities your parent or loved one does each day. Building a shower with proper aging-in-place design features will help them live independently for a much longer period … Read more
I can’t overemphasize the importance of safety in the aging-in-place bathroom. It’s the most common room in the home for an older adult to get hurt and seriously injured. And it’s no surprise why. Bathroom floors easily get wet and showers have to withstand slippery soaps and shampoos that cling to the shower floor. Unless … 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
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
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.
When approaching an aging-in-place remodel, 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 dexterity, worsening … 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.