Aging In Place and Accessibility Home Renovations
Aging-in-place is a fast-growing solution for many elders who wish to remain in their homes despite limitations related to mobility and age in Winnipeg.
So, what is exactly aging-in-place? Aging-in-place refers to modifications or renovations done in your home to make living convenient no matter your age or physical health. These modifications can include wider doorways and hallways, bright natural light throughout your house, accessible counter-tops (height-wise or open bottom), secure area rugs, non-slip flooring, handrails, lever handles instead of doorknobs and much more. You can choose to remodel a single room such as a bathroom, a kitchen, a bedroom or your entire house.
Depending on your situation, aging-in-place renovations may be a better option than moving to a new condo, apartment or senior home because they allow you to remain in your home, where you are already familiar with your surroundings, your neighbors and your community. This also means that you can avoid the burden and stress of moving from one home to another.
In many cases, the modifications required in order to make your home more accessible can be quite simple, for example adding a second-hand bar in your stairs or installing sturdy handrails in the shower can make a significant difference in making living your everyday life easier. In some cases, renovations that are more involved may be required such as installing a walk-in tub or widening the doorways in a house. These renovations make for a much more accessible home and have the added benefit of increasing the value of the property at the same time. In fact, many changes that are done in homes are beneficial not only for elders but also for younger people. The cost of aging-in-home renovations will vary depending on the work needed, but there are many options regarding financing these modifications. If you have owned your home for many years, you may have built up equity that can be accessed to fund aging-in-place renovations.
There is also the possibility of doing a reverse-mortgage if you do not currently have a mortgage on your home. Finally, well-established renovation companies may offer financing options to help pay for the cost of the work over a longer time period. No matter the type of home you have, an aging-in-place professional can help you determine the extent of the work required for your needs and will work with you to determine the best course of action while keeping in mind your budget. Working with the right professionals is very important. When choosing a company to hire, ensure they are specialists when it comes to aging-in-place renovations. One way to verify this is to check if they are a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS), this certification is designated by the National Association of Home Builders and indicates that the company has received training to best carry out aging-in-place renovations.
In conclusion, aging in place renovations are modifications made to a house in order to allow people to remain in their homes as they age. Modifications can be simple or more involved, depending on your needs right there in Winnipeg Manitoba. A certified aging-in-place professional can help you determine the best way to proceed so that you can continue enjoying life in your current home.