It’s no secret. You see it in the news all the time: America is aging. The number of people turning age 55 each year will increase to 37.4 million by 2010. Not only that, but people are living longer as well. The average life span is now just below 80 years. Yet, as the senior segment of the population grows, they still want to maintain their independence and their own living environments. Let’s face it, very few people go to assisted living facilities willingly.
It is this reason that is prompting many consumers to think about designs that make their lives easier, now and in the future. Here are some options for the future worth considering before undertaking your next remodeling project.
In the kitchen: single lever faucets; easier to grip handles instead of knobs for cabinet doors and drawers; appliances mounted at heights that don’t require bending; countertops at a variety of common heights; roll-out shelves in lower cabinets; side-by-side refrigerator; rolling carts; a pull-out step stool; varied light sources with adjustable controls; and sufficient clear floor space for work and traffic flow.
In the bath: multi-level vanity heights with flexible knee space; support rails that compliment the aesthetics of the room; no-threshold entries for showers; easily accessible storage; plenty of floor space for maneuvering with walking aids; and heat in the floor and toilet seats, as well as towel warmers.
All of these examples are designed to make caring for yourself easier, to help remove the obstacles that come along with aging, and allow you to age in the place you’ll be most comfortable - in your home.
So if you intend to live out the remainder of your life in your home, make sure you contemplate these suggestions and others as you plan your remodeling endeavors.
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