Aging-in-Pace Home Modifications
Here are some of the things to consider incorporating into your home to make it easier to age in place:
- Step-free entrance
- Doors without thresholds that are wide enough for a wheelchair or walker (36”)
- Wider hallways (46 “)
- Lever handles on doors and faucets
- Various heights of kitchen counters
- Full extension drawers and shelves in kitchen base cabinets
- Cooktop set into a counter with open knee space
- Side-hinged microwave and oven doors at countertop height
- Side-by-side refrigerator
- Casement windows
- An elevator to the basement
- Lower rocker-style light switches (36” above the floor)
- Higher electrical outlets (25” above the floor)
- Large bathroom with decorative grab bars
- Wood, non-slip tile and a dense weave, low pile (< ½”) carpet floors
- Large bathtubs with plenty of grab bars
- Curb-less roll-in showers with plenty of grab bars
- Slide bar for showerhead
- Hand-held, flexible shower fixture
- 17-19” high toilet seats
- Adjustable hanging closet rods and shelves
- Front loading washer and dryer
- Open knee space under all sinks