More homeowners in Montgomery County want to stay in the homes they love as they get older. Aging in place remodeling makes that possible. With a few smart changes, a house that feels hard to get around today can stay safe and comfortable for many more years. Best of all, most of these upgrades look like any other modern remodel, not like a hospital.
What Is Aging in Place Remodeling?
Aging in place remodeling means updating your home so it’s easier to use at any age or ability level. The goal is simple: fewer trip hazards, easier access to the rooms you use every day, and less strain on your body. It’s also a smart move for families with a parent moving in, or for anyone recovering from surgery or an injury.
Start With the Bathroom
The bathroom is where most falls happen at home, so it’s usually the first room we update. Popular changes include:
- A curbless walk-in shower instead of a tub you have to step over
- Grab bars by the toilet and in the shower, installed into blocking so they hold weight
- A built-in shower bench and a handheld shower head
- Slip-resistant tile on the floor and in the shower
- A comfort-height toilet that’s easier to sit on and stand up from
Today’s grab bars come in finishes that match your faucets, so they blend right in. See more of our bathroom remodeling work.
Make the Kitchen Easier to Use
In the kitchen, small changes reduce bending and reaching. For example, pull-out drawers in lower cabinets are easier to use than deep shelves. Lever-style faucets are easier on sore hands. In addition, a counter section at a lower height gives you a place to sit while you prep food. Good under-cabinet lighting helps too. Learn more about our kitchen renovation services.
Create a First-Floor Living Option
Stairs become harder over time. If your bedroom is upstairs, it may make sense to plan a main-floor bedroom and full bathroom. Sometimes we can convert a den, office, or dining room. In other homes, a small addition or a finished walkout basement works better.
Doors, Floors, and Lighting
Wider doorways
Standard interior doors can be too narrow for a walker or wheelchair. Widening key doorways to about 36 inches makes moving through the home much easier. Lever door handles are also easier to use than round knobs. Explore our door installation options.
Smooth, low-threshold floors
Throw rugs and raised thresholds are common trip hazards. Continuous flooring, like luxury vinyl plank, removes the bumps between rooms and is easy to clean. Browse our flooring installation options.
Better lighting
Bright, even lighting in hallways and on stairs helps prevent falls. Motion-sensor night lights and light switches at both ends of a hallway are simple upgrades that make a real difference.
Help Paying for Accessibility Upgrades
There are local programs that may help. Montgomery County’s Design for Life program offers property tax credits for certain accessibility features in a primary residence. In addition, the State of Maryland’s Accessible Homes for Seniors program offers low-cost loans or grants to qualifying homeowners age 55 and older, based on income. Rules and funding change, so check with each program for current details.
Plan Ahead, Even If You Don’t Need It Yet
The best time to add these features is during a remodel you’re already planning. For instance, adding wall blocking for future grab bars costs very little while the walls are open. Choosing a curbless shower now saves a second remodel later.
Talk to a Local Remodeling Contractor
Real Time Home Improvement is a licensed (MHIC #162705) and insured contractor serving families across Montgomery County. We’ll walk through your home with you, point out the biggest safety concerns, and suggest changes that fit your style and budget. Learn more about our home remodeling in Montgomery County.
Schedule your free estimate or call (240) 485-8797.