Aging in Place With Universal Design
The options available in home remodeling and design have never been greater. While most savvy consumers are considering design elements with timeless style, it also helps to make choices which are “ageless.” Ageless, or Universal Design, not only improves your living space today but also alleviates future barriers to aging in place and living more hassle free as well.
According to an AARP study published in the fall of 2017, 90 percent of people age 65 and over would prefer to stay in their own homes as they get older instead of relocating to an assisted living facility. In order to age in place, it pays to be forward thinking with home improvement choices. Including universal design means increased accessibility and convenience for any age.
So whether or not you’re part of the 76 million baby boomers or approaching retirement, these flexible and equitable options are worth incorporating today in any home.
“Ageless” Design Ideas for Your Home
When choosing how to renovate or improve your home with universal design, look to solutions that create greater convenience, accessibility and lower maintenance.
Some suggestions from the National Association of Home Builders include:
Full bathroom and master bedroom on the first level of your home
36 inch wide entryways to allow a walker or wheelchair through
Lever handles on doors and faucets instead of knobs
Wall support and provision for adjustable and/or varied height counters and removable base cabinets
Base cabinet with roll-out trays and lazy susans and upper cabinets with pull-down shelving
Bracing in walls around the tub, shower, shower seat, and toilet for installation of grab bars
Adequate lighting throughout the house, especially task lighting
While in attendance at the Journal Of Light Construction show, the JLC in Providence, RI in April of 2107, Jason Simonetty from our team filmed a video after attending a recent Universal Design workshop.
Will Universal Design Affect My Home Value?
Many people fear safety features in their home, particularly in the bathroom, will make the space feel too institutional and could negatively affect resale value. However, with the variety of choices available today, it’s possible to achieve both safety and style.
In addition to offering greater ease and functionality to all users, many of these improvements also yield a great return on investment should you decide not to stay in your home. Upgrading a bathroom with universal design delivers an average national return on investment of 68.4% according to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report, 2018.
Without compromising on style, your home improvement projects can offer barrier-free living and deliver a good return on investment making universal design a smart choice for ageless living. Contact our team at Works by JD to learn how we can help you achieve modern elegance and timeless design.