Renovation Tips from an Expert
As you work your way through each room of your aging-in-place home renovation, you’ll collect vast amounts of knowledge along the way. Every project you do will benefit from the lessons you learn in the previous ones. Home renovation is one big learning experience. Most DIYers forget this, though, and worry too much about making … Read more
The goal of every one of my aging-in-place renovations is to create a home that older adults can live in safely and independently for years to come. Traditionally, aging-in-place design has focused almost exclusively on physical safety. Lately, though, many of my clients have mentioned the improvements some aging-in-place projects have made to their parent’s … Read more
Moving from a large family home into a smaller aging-in-place home can be difficult for so many reasons. It’s not so much about the number of items – and all of the memories – you have to sift through as you prepare for the next phase of your life. It’s also about relearning how to … Read more
Imagine if your parents’ home had the intelligence to take care of them (almost) as well as you do. For the first time in history, we can control our homes with just the tap of a screen or the sound of our voice. Today, adults with mobility issues can see who’s at the door without … Read more
It’s not easy to get from the car to the front door and into the house without the help of exterior lighting. We’ve all been there – standing at the door in the dark fumbling for the house key and then struggling to fit the key into the doorknob. Now imagine yourself in that scenario … Read more
As people begin to age in their homes, there comes a time when either they or their family members start questioning whether staying home is the safest option, and rightfully so. Traditional homes offer many obstacles such as stairs, slippery floors, high cabinets, less-than-ideal lighting for aging eyes, and numerous other challenges for older adults. … Read more
As we age, our eyes start to play tricks on us. It gets harder to see clearly, especially in low-lit rooms and this is compounded further by our reduced ability to define contrast in low light. You can imagine the dangers of an older adult trying to navigate a dark home. It’s a perfect recipe … Read more
Decades ago, thermostats were clunky boxes controlled by a mercury switch. They hung on the wall in just about every room in the house, and they were certainly nothing to look at. The thermostats I used growing up were always difficult to control and hard to read – even for young eyes. You can imagine … Read more
Removing the need to bend down low or reach up high is one of the pillars of smart aging-in-place design. Take a look around your home right now. Count the number of electrical outlets along the floor that you need to bend down to reach. Now, count the number of outlets at waist level. As … Read more
Aging-in-place home lighting can be tricky. On one hand, your home needs to be well lit so you, your parent, or loved one can safely see where they’re going. However, as we age our eyes become more sensitive to light and even moderately bright lights can cause discomfort or headaches. An easy-to-use dimmer switch is … Read more
Believe it or not, it is possible to find aging-in-place kitchen flooring that’s safe, cost-effective and easy to install. Helping my clients find the right kitchen flooring material that checks all of these boxes is a big part of my job. If you’re a DIYer, however, and you don’t have a professional contractor by your … 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
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
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
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
When beginning the transition to age in place, just about all of my clients ask me if their home is going to look clinical or institutional after the renovations are done. The answer is “no” – no one aging in place should have to sacrifice design and aesthetics for function and safety. Finding stylish aging-in-place … Read more
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. Smart technology has been a huge asset for aging-in-place design. Today, a wide range of assistive devices are available to help retirement-age adults stay … Read more
Creating an environment that’s both aesthetically pleasing and functional for your aging-in-place home may seem like a huge undertaking. Most people have a misconception that aging in place means creating a sterile environment that feels more like a medical facility than a home. I can tell you that not only is this not true, but … 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, focus on creating a home that … 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
Adapting Your Home Lighting for Aging in Place Those of us who are of retirement age, may not realize it at first, but one of the most important aspects to a home renovation is lighting. The eyes of a 30-year-old and the eyes of a 60-year-old see the world very differently, both metaphorically and literally. … Read more