Category: Concepts

  Many of our customers are preferring to “age in place” instead of moving to a care facility.  This means making modifications to current living space to allow people to function safely, independently, and comfortably regardless of their age.  Below are some common examples of these types of remodels.

• Multi-Level Access:  This can be done by adding an elevator or a stair glide.   Keep in mind that adding an elevator shaft takes up space on all floors.  A nice trick for this problem is to place the elevator on the back of the house and make it look like a chimney!  Custom stair glides are also available, but people who use a walker or wheelchair will need one on each floor and will need help getting on and off of the glide at all transfer points.  If neither of these are a viable option, a room on the main level can be repurposed to be a master bedroom.
• Widening Doors:  This is commonly needed for wheelchairs but helps two people to pass through at the same time.  Structurally, challenges include rerouting wires and/or supporting the load from above. Also, plan for patching the floor space where the walls used to be which can be tricky if you don’t know where to get the same flooring.
• Walk-in tubs or zero-entry showers:  Walk-in tubs are expensive and require the user to be in the tub before it begins filling with water and until the tub has drained.  The zero-entry shower allows easy access, but either requires a small ramp under the tile or subfloor work to drop the shower pan down.
• Other aging in place projects may be as simple as ramps, adding additional lighting, lever-style door handles, well-located storage, chair-height toilets, slip-resistant flooring and pull out shelves.