Janet Cook

February has a theme of love; why not show more love when remodeling? It is wise to consider incorporating Aging in Place elements when renovating your home. It can be future thinking to make your home ready to help facilitate safe daily living for changing physical needs. You may think you have many years until that will be a concern, but we do not know when we will be glad that we have made our home ready. It could be making it ideal to care for a parent, or it could be a medical event or an accident that could change our abilities instantly. Regardless, all of us will age and will appreciate adding these touches to make life easier and safer. Here are important elements to consider for the kitchen and bathroom:

The Kitchen

* Ample task lighting

* Glass doors on upper cabinets

* Specialty drawers for storing dishes, pots, and pans

* Lower cabinets have pull-out shelves

* Dual dishwashers for everyday dishes (one will be storing the clean)

* Walk-in pantry or wall pantry with pull-out door front with vertical shelves

* In-wall oven and induction cooktop

* Waste and recyclable containers in pull-out cabinet

The Bathroom

* Faucets with lever handles

* Rounded countertop edges

* Radiant in-floor heating to eliminate mats

* Comfort-height toilet with grab bars to help with transition

* Curbless walk-in shower

* Reinforced walls for grab bars for balance when showering, when getting up from a tub, or stepping out of one

* Shower bench

It can be a loving gift for a loved one or your future self to make the home safer, more comfortable, and facilitate independent living for as long as possible. It will also make it more desirable when it is time to sell, since people want a move-in-ready home. Happy Home Remodeling!

Janet Cook, Certified Aging in Place Specialist, President of Cook Remodeling (celebrating their 41st year), invites you to visit their website’s blog for more tips and design trends in remodeling.