If you’re an empty nester or recently retired, you probably have considered whether or not to downsize out of your family home into a condo or townhome. While downsizing is the right choice for some homeowners, others choose to modify their current homes so they are comfortable and safe. In real estate terms, this is called aging in place, and it’s becoming more and more popular with homeowners across Minnesota.
Lake Region Bank’s home lending team can help you finance any home improvements you’d like to complete this year to make your home safer and more comfortable as you age.
1. Walk-In Shower with Grab Bars
A walk-in shower is a straightforward renovation homeowners of all ages desire. Not only does a walk-in shower elevate the design of your bathroom, it makes the shower easier and safer to enter and exit. Adding grab bars inside and adjacent to the shower can improve safety further.
2. Lever-Style Doorknobs
Lever-style doorknobs are easier to use than traditional round ones. Updating your doorknobs to levers can help you move about your home with ease for years to come.
3. Non-Slip Flooring
Slip and fall accidents are more common as we age. Fortunately, a wide variety of non-slip flooring options are available to homeowners. They include traditional choices, such as carpet, textured tile, and linoleum, as well as trendier options like textured vinyl, cork, and bamboo with a non-slip backing.
4. Wider Doorways
Widening your home’s doorways can elevate the luxurious feel of your home while making your home safer and more accessible for family members with limited mobility. The ADA requires doorways to be at least 32 inches to accommodate wheelchairs in public spaces, so that is a good place to start when widening your own doorways.
5. Smart Home Technologies
Smart home technologies are a hot trend in home design, and they can be a real help for older adults who wish to stay in their homes. Smart home technology can turn lights off and on, control appliances from a smartphone, and manage the home’s heating and cooling system. A smart doorbell allows you to interact with visitors wherever you are in your home.
6. High-Contrast Design
Updates to flooring, wall color, and furniture can help homeowners age in place. High-contrast design helps furniture, hallways, and doorways stand out. This can be important if you develop vision challenges as you age. Examples of high-contrast design are choosing dark flooring and light linens for your bedroom or light flooring and dark furniture for your living room.
7. Open-Concept Layout
Open-concept layouts continue to be popular with homeowners of all ages. They are especially helpful for older homeowners with limited mobility. Open-concept layouts offer flexibility as your needs change, offering more space to accommodate a wheelchair, walker, or other equipment.
8. Ramps and Elevators
If you or a loved one have limited mobility, installing ramps outside your home and an elevator or lift inside can help you enjoy living in your home longer. Lake Region Bank can help you finance these and other home improvement projects that improve the accessibility and comfort of your home as you enjoy your golden years. To find the financing option that’s right for you, contact our expert team today.
