What makes a home suitable for aging in place?

• Suburban or near suburban location

• Ideally 1 level with a 2 car garage OR a primary bedroom and bathroom on the main floor

• Adaptability of home to make necessary Aging in Place updates

Preparing to Age in Place can take time, particularly if a home needs to be modified to make it suitable for ongoing living. Below is a checklist for the types of updates one may consider when adapting a home to age in place.  Note that this list is comprehensive and not all updates will be necessary.  The cost of updates will be largely dependent on the home and changes to walls, plumbing or electrical work:

Bathroom:

• Tub and shower controls offset

• Light in shower stall

• Shower stall with low or no threshold, trench drain

• Fold-down shower seat

• Hand-held shower head with 6’ hose

• Lift or transfer seat for bathtub

• Lower bathtub for easier access

• Grab bars at back and sides of shower, tub, and toilet, or wall- reinforcement for later installation

• Adapter to raise toilet seat 21⁄2”–3” higher than standard

• Turnaround and transfer space for walker or wheelchair (36” x 36”)

• Knee space under sink and vanity

• Counters at sit-down height

• Emergency alert or call button 

Faucets Switches and Controls:

• Temperature-controlled or anti-scald valves for faucets ˆ Lever faucet handles

• Easy-to-read, pushbutton controls

• Lever door handles

• Loop drawer handles

• Easy-to-read, programmable thermostat

• Rocker light switches at each room entry

• Lighted switches in bedrooms, bathrooms, and hallways ˆ Light switches at 42” from floor

• Electrical outlets 15”–18” from floor

• Front controls on cooktop 

Entry and Stairs:

• At least one entry without stairs

• 36”-wide doorway with offset hinges

• Side window at entrance or lowered peephole

• Handrails on both sides of stairs

• Outside stair height below 4”

• Contrasting strip on stair edge

• Ramp slope of no more than 2” per 12” in length, 2” curbs, 5’ landing at entrance

• Low (maximum 1⁄2” beveled) or no threshold

• No mats or throw rugs

• Exterior sensor light focused on door lock

• Surface inside doorway for placing packages

• Audible doorbell

• Flashing porch light 

Kitchen:

• Cabinets with pull-out shelves and turntables

• Wall cabinets set below (about 3”) standard height

• Glass cabinet doors or open shelving

• Easy-to-grasp cabinet knobs, pulls, or loop handles

• Task lighting under cabinets

• Electric cooktop with front controls and hot-surface indicator

• Microwave at counter height

• Wall oven or side opening oven door at counter height

• Counter space for transferring items from refrigerator, oven, sink, and cooktop

• Contrasting color strip on counter edges

• Side-by-side refrigerator/freezer with adjustable upper shelves and
  pull-out lower shelves, or a freezer drawer on the bottom

• Raised dishwasher

• Variety in counter height—some at table height (30”)—under-counter seated work area

• Gas sensor near gas appliances 

Home Design and Layout:

• Easy-open windows with low sills

• Color contrast between walls and floors, matte finish wall coverings

• Adequate, accessible storage

• Wide halls and doorways (interior doors and hinges can be removed)

• “Flex room” for family visits or live-in care provider

• Attached garage with opener or covered carport, room for wheelchair loading

• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

• Low-vision adaptations:

  • Anti-glare glass

  • Stick-on, tactile markers on controls ˆ Contrasting color switch plates

  • Electrical-plug pullers