You often hear about homeowners choosing to sell their existing home and buy a new one because a home no longer meets their needs. Sometimes, it’s not that the home is too small or too large. Instead, other features of the home no longer work given changing needs as you age. What if you could anticipate these needs ahead of time and include adaptive home design features? If you are building a new home or thinking about renovating, keep the following in mind.
1. Wide Entrances
Wide entrances are important for wheelchair access and/or machinery for health services. Incorporating it into your home design allows you to stay in the home as you age and need mobility assistance. Additionally, when your home is sold in the future, it can be a selling feature. Wide entrances are also visually appealing and make a home look high-end.
2. Even Thresholds
Another important mobility feature are even thresholds. When entrances and other doorways within your home have no step-up, it accommodates occupants and visitors of various needs. Eliminating a potential tripping hazard is also a helpful safety design.
3. Dual Master Suites
A big selling feature for homebuyers of any age are dual master suites on different levels of the home. When your children are young, you may want to remain on the upper level, near your children’s bedrooms. As your kids get older, relocating to the lower level, away from other bedrooms, can provide added quiet and privacy. A first floor master suite is also helpful as you age and stairs become more difficult to navigate.
4. Adaptive Bathrooms
Among the most important adaptive home design features for aging in place are bathroom safety components. There’s an increased risk for slip and falls for both children and seniors. Incorporating handrails in tubs, non-slip flooring, and shower/tub designs without a step-up are key. With modern products and designs, these safety features need not stick out like a sore thumb.
5. Flexible Floor Plans
Finally, think about your floor plan and how your needs may vary at different stages of your life. Open floor plans are popular right now, but there’s often a need to separate spaces for added privacy. You need not choose one over the other. Flexible floor plans can allow you to section of a space when needed or open it up when not. This also makes your home appealing to a larger pool of buyers when it’s time to sell.
Importance of Adaptive Home Design Features for Aging in Place
Adaptive home design features are so important these days. Even if you don’t plan to stay in a home long-term, is is possible that you’ll have visiting family whose needs may differ from your own? The 2020 pandemic has caused many families to combine households, with occupants of many ages and needs sharing the same space. It reminds us that our needs can change quickly and unpredictably.
If you’d like to incorporate adaptive home design features for aging in place, be sure to mention that to our team when you contact us to schedule a design consultation.
