Essential Design Elements to Future-Proof Your Home

There are many technology options available to help make your life easier, no matter your challenges.

If you are thinking about renovating your home as the next project in line, you may be thinking about elements you can include that will help you future-proof your house. They will help you stay in your home for as long as possible as you get older. Making these decisions now will ensure your home continues to meet your changing needs.

Add New Technology

There are many technology options available to help make your life easier, no matter your challenges. Homes with multiple levels can often benefit from home elevators. Residential elevator is an alternative to a stair lift, and is essentially a shaftless elevator that is specifically designed to fit easily within your home. You can also install other assistive technology, which can be helpful if you have vision or hearing issues. These often-sent alerts to your home, and you can share the app with your caregivers or loved ones so they can tell if there is an issue, such as a fire or a break in. You could even set it to automatically alert emergency services.

Swap Out Your Tub for a Shower

It can be relaxing to soak in a bathtub, but as you get older, you may find a bathtub becomes more challenging to use. That’s because it can be hard to climb over the sides, especially when the tub is wet and slippery. It’s a better idea to have a shower, which can be easier for those with joint issues. You might also consider turning a shower head into a hose, which you can use if you need to sit down while showering. Having your shower on a hose also makes it easier when it is time to clean the walls and floor of your shower, since you can easily rinse away soap scum.

Make Hallways or Doorways Wider

Having wider hallways and doorways will make it much easier if you must use a walker or wheelchair in the future. It’s a good idea to try to make your doorways almost three feet wide so you have enough clearance, even with a wheelchair. Hallways should be close to three and a half feet wide if possible. This could mean changing the layout of your house, including taking down walls or making bedrooms a little narrower. As you plan your renovation, consider adding places that allow you to turn a wheelchair around.

Increase the Amount of Lighting

Older adults often find it increasingly difficult to see, even with the help of glasses. Even if you are starting to add more area lamps, you might consider investing in some overhead lighting as part of your renovation. Focus on areas that tend to be darker, such as entryways, hallways, and the stairs. You can even add lighting under each of the cabinets in your kitchen, so you do not have any hard to see areas. You could even go a step further and include spotlights in different colors to add contrast.