Remodeling Talk... Aging in Place (AIP) and Accessibility Changes for Your Home

What you need to know…

During the holiday season, it’s common to experience accessibility and safety challenges in our homes that affect our guests, and even residents. Now is a great time to begin thinking long-term about accommodating the changing needs of the people who live in and visit your home. Creating the right environment requires what’s known as an Aging in Place (AIP) plan.

We’ll help you get started in this month’s issue of Remodeling Talk. You’ll learn about safety and accessibility modifications, and ways to make your home more adaptable as your needs change in the future. We’ll tell you who to talk to, and why only certain remodelers like Bella Vista Company are able to make modifications according to NAHB standards.

The possibilities for AIP modifications are infinite. An experienced remodeler can assess your particular needs and offer a variety of solutions to accommodate them. Here are some of the most common AIP modifications:

Depending on the health and physical ability of residents and visitors, you may need to widen doorways for more clearance, eliminate steps for wheelchair accessibility and maneuverability, and possibly install a ramp. Vertical lifts, platform lifts, chair lifts and residential elevators can make two-story homes more accessible. Driveways and garages are another consideration. Slippery surfaces can be changed to textured, non-slip surfaces that are easier to maintain, and the garage can be renovated for better maneuverability.

To improve maneuverability in the bathroom, space can be expanded, bath and shower grab bars installed, and specially designed bathing facilities can replace standard units. to make controls easier to use and filters easier to maintain. The electrical system and lighting can be revised to address the new requirements of other AIP renovations around the house.

In the kitchen, the workflow design can be improved, counter top heights may need to be lowered, and cabinetry can be redesigned to make the area more user-friendly. Entry to the kitchen may need to be widened and ramps can replace single steps for better access.

To create the right AIP plan for your home, start talking early on with a remodeler. Look for the (CAPS) Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist designation, which indicates specific training in the needs of aging adults and the disabled, AIP modifications, and solutions to common problems. CAPS professionals have training in the strategies for designing and building aesthetically enriching, barrierfree living environments.

Most CAPS certified remodelers, including Bella Vista Company, would be glad to answer your questions even if you’re just beginning to consider an AIP plan. We’re especially happy to take your calls early on – to ensure you stay in your home and remain our friend and neighbor for many holiday seasons to come.

by: Alan Margulis

Around the house, contrasting colors can be used to show subtle differentiations in level changes, edges, hot, cold, or danger. The HVAC system can be modernized