The right remodeling team can transform your space into your forever home.
What is “Aging in Place?”
“Aging in place” allows adults to stay in their homes as they grow older rather than relocating to assisted living facilities. This promotes safety, independence, and comfort, and can significantly improve seniors’ quality of life.
Benefits of Aging in Place
There are many benefits of aging in place and keeping your same home and neighborhood:
- A sense of community
- A feeling of belonging
- More control and independence
- Familiarity and comfort
- Improved social connections
How a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist Can Help
Most homes were not initially designed with the goal of aging in place, which means significant home modifications may need to happen.
A National Association of Home Builders certified aging-in-place specialist like ICON Custom Builders can help. Our team is well-equipped to guide aging adults, and in some cases their children or loved ones, through every detail of the remodeling process.
Prepare by Planning Ahead
“The best time to think about how to age in place is before you need a lot of care,” according to the National Institute on Aging. “Planning ahead allows you to make important decisions while you are still able.”
When you engage ICON through a planning agreement, ICON’s expert team will evaluate your home and your unique needs, then come up with an appropriate home modification plan.
Home Modifications for Comfortably Aging in Place
Aging in place can vary depending on the house you’re currently in. Master craftsman Don Guilbault shared, “a multilevel house with access points with many different staircases is harder to deal with than a single floor ranch home.”
Several ICON team members weighed in on the home modifications they recommend. As you consider these options, please keep in mind that they are merely examples, and they will not necessarily be essential in every situation.
General Features for Comfortably Aging in Place
First floor primary suite
- This is perhaps the most important element for safely aging in place
- With no need to navigate stairs, it minimizes fall risks and keeps essential living areas (kitchen, bath, and laundry) on one accessible level
An elevator
- “In a multilevel home, an elevator makes each level accessible, regardless of physical limitations.” – Don Guilbault, master craftsman
Wider hallways and doorways
- “If there’s ever a need for a wheelchair, a 36″ wide doorway is essential for safe and comfortable entry and exit.” – Luke Phillips, production coordinator
- “Think about the flow of the house in a wheelchair or with a walker, and access to all spaces that you might need to get to, and this will help point out the openings that are critical.” – Doug Johnson, project manager
Ramps or inclines
- “Access into the house from the front door or garage is important, as steps to get into the house are not conducive with a wheelchair.” – Joel Murillo, finish carpenter
- “Ramps need to be integrated, and not an afterthought.” – Don
Kitchen Features for Comfortably Aging in Place
Adjustable-height countertops
- Ideally these countertops will be adjustable or have multi-level heights (for seated access)
Custom ovens and other appliances
- Opt for wall-mounted units installed at waist or chest height, with side-swing doors (eliminating the need for bending, reaching, or straining when handling hot, heavy pans)
Primary Bathroom Features for Comfortably Aging in Place
Zero-entry walk-in showers
- “Eliminating the shower curb allows for easy access – whether walking straight in or using a walker or wheelchair down the road.” – Luke
Safety handrails and lever-style door handles
- “Install handrails, grab bars, or lever-style door handles [to be ADA compliant]” – Joel
- “Seating and accessible grab bars and supports are essential for function and safety.” – Don
Seamless non-slip surfaces
- “Selecting floor tile with enough grip or slip resistance is critical to help prevent falls in a wet environment, especially as mobility changes over time.” – Luke
Recent Aging-in-Place Remodeling Projects
We have completed several projects in Winston-Salem with the goal of comfortably aging in place. In each home, we incorporated several of the home modifications listed above, but rarely all the modifications in a single home. Every project is handled with care and is customized to the homeowner’s unique home and health situation.
Forest Addition
During the Forest addition project, we created a new primary suite and improved the flow of key living spaces, making them more open and accessible. Features like the custom oven design, a zero-entry shower, and an elevator make the new home better suited for comfortably and safely aging in place.
Greystone
In this home, we installed a zero-entry walk-in shower with properly placed grab bars for support. To enhance safety in a wet environment, “we incorporated benches on both sides of the shower – one for sitting while showering and another for sitting while drying off,” shared production coordinator Luke.
Ryan Way
At Ryan Way, we worked with a couple to design the home to comfortably age in place, while also considering a family member with specific health issues. “The unique part was this house had three floors, including the basement as the lower level,” shared project manager Doug. “The answer was an elevator.”
Age in Place with Confidence
“While no one likes to think about these scenarios, they’re a part of real life,” Luke said. “Planning for them now makes the future easier, safer, and more comfortable – so you can truly age in place with confidence.”
All the home modifications for aging in place can be overwhelming. Working with a certified aging-in-place remodeler like ICON will guarantee safety, accuracy, and peace of mind.
Aging-in-Place Remodeling: Next Steps
If you are nearing this life stage and you love your home and neighborhood, invest to make this home your forever home.
“If you are considering this as an option, you likely have already been in the home for some time, and updating is needed anyway, so do it right and work with a design-build company that understands what it really means to age in place,” shared Doug. “Planning can really be fun and inspiring if you have the right home and right team!”