Moving around the house can be pretty tough as you get older, with steep stairs, narrow doorways and entrances being potentially tricky to negotiate. As beautiful as many homes are, as the occupants get older, adjustments need to be made to make their surroundings more comfortable to live in. Things that used to look stylish and effective can become obstructions and even cause accidents.

While there are many retirement homes with wonderful services, a good number of people still choose to remain in their homes throughout retirement. While retirement plans are being drawn up, making the home retirement-friendly is often overlooked. The truth is, remodelling doesn’t just cost a lot of money, it also takes up time and energy. It’s therefore often advisable to tackle remodelling plans before they actually become a necessity.

The following are retirement friendly remodelling options:

1. Improving accessibility

                If your home has narrow doors and hallways, tight and cumbersome spaces, you could do with more room to make navigation easier. For instance, a few inches expansion to the doorways would be a good start, should you ever need to accomodate a wheelchair at any point in the future. Replacing hard door knobs is also prudent.

                If you live in a two-storey building, bringing the master suite down to the ground floor is an option you should consider. This way, you won’t have to deal with staircases as often when you grow older. However, this plan would need a lot of space and might require breaking walls and expanding rooms. Another alternative is installing an elevator - especially if you would like to have easy access to every floor of the house.

                Open floor plans such as removing walls in the living rooms (and other rooms) can make the house bigger and give it a more modern look, not forgetting how much easier it would be to move around in old age when there is much more space available.

2. Cutting down on trips and falls

                Reducing the risk of bathroom accidents usually has a lot to do with having the right flooring. Shiny, smooth surfaces aren’t sufficient, as they are hazardous in terms of causing falls. Flooring such as slip resistant vinyl comes in a wide range of colours and patterns and is safer in bathrooms.  You should also consider better lighting for improved visibility in your bathroom. In fact, get better lighting for the entire house while you’re at it, because while trips occur more often in bathrooms, they can of course happen anywhere at all.

                Grab bars are also a good mechanism for fall prevention in bathrooms. Many people add seating in their showers or increase the height of toilet seats, which makes it easier to sit as they get older. While a higher seat may favour a taller person, it may not be the same for someone shorter. Therefore, remember to make enquiries before making such changes, as they will have to be tailored to your physique.

3. Kitchen upgrade

              Upgrading your kitchen may mean new cabinets, floors, windows, countertops, skylights, easy to use utensils, and so on. The idea is to have more room and a kitchen that you can work in and clean without too much trouble.

              Stainless steel is always a good idea when remodelling. Steve from            Miami Stainless says, “You don’t have to reinvest in refinishing all the time like you would with wood, as stainless steel holds up better.”

The heights of the countertops could vary to allow you to sit whilst working on them - or even in a wheelchair, if need be. Plus, it would be great for the grandchildren as well.

              Kitchens also need lots of space. Previously, it was fairly standard to have a 36-inch gap in between the kitchen counters islands. Now however, it’s common to find 42 to 48 inch gaps. This extra space can be very effective if you ever need to fit in a wheelchair. As a further bonus, more than one person would be able to work properly in the kitchen.

                There are many other great ideas for making your kitchen retirement-friendly.

4. Tech help

                Technology is not always about jumbled up codes and confusing configurations. It can be convenient, health enhancing and connect you to everyone you need to stay in touch with. This is especially true for            smart devices. So much so, garbage disposals, communication devices, smart thermostats, drawer dishwashers and security devices can be a great help.

5. Power outlets

                It might be prudent to place power outlets higher than the regular 12 to 18 inches above the floor. Power outlets at this height generally require a lot of bending, which may not be at all convenient or comfortable as you grow older. Ask your electrician to place your sockets roughly 24 inches above the floor to make it easier for you.

6. Set up a home office

                Now, while a home office doesn’t guarantee safety, it is a favourite of many renovations for retirement. This project is low cost and may just require carving out a space or converting a spare room into a work area for paperwork or other such indulgences. If you have a pastime hobby such as writing, it would certainly work better. If you don’t, you can always find one, as there are many            pastime hobbies for retirement.  If you’re interested in art for instance, perhaps a studio instead of an office would be more appropriate.

Conclusion

Remodelling your home for ageing doesn’t mean it has to become boring or less beautiful, which is often a major concern. With the right planning, you could have an even more attractive home - one which is easier to move around in, as well as safer.

Another major concern when it comes to remodelling is cost. You can talk to experts to discover how much you can cut down on costs, but still get good value for money. You could also start tackling these plans a little at a time to avoid an avalanche of remodelling bills.