Tag: Bathroom Remodeling - page 6

The baby boomer generation is one of the largest segments that create the population today.  In fact it is estimated that everyday ten thousand baby boomers turn sixty five.  This is a huge shift that is being seen in America.  Although the senior population is growing it does not mean that the nursing home population is growing as well.  In fact over eighty three percent of baby boomers are preparing to age in place instead of moving into an assisted living facility. The older population is looking to age gracefully while continuing to live independently within their homes.

If you are part of this population or are helping to care for someone who is aging and hoping to live at home as they age it is important to start making small changes to keep their homes safe, comfortable, functional and easy for them to use.

One of the first recommendations that age in place contractors give to the aging population is to avoid a home that requires you to access areas via stairways.  Stairs are difficult to maneuver as we age.  Our knees don’t bend well and balance is at premium.  For some this may mean relocating while for other it may mean adjusting the current space.  Some homes have bedrooms only on a second floor.  If this is the case it may mean turning a formal dining space into a master sweet and adjusting the current space a bit.  For others it may mean that the addition of a handicap ramp.  Stairs leading into and out of the home can be tricky for seniors to navigate as well.  It is in the best interest of individuals looking to stay in their homes to have an access that is handicap modified.  Adding a handicap ramp eases access of wheelchairs, walkers and canes.

It is important that homes where seniors are aging in place are as maintenance free as possible.  This doesn’t mean that the home will not have some maintenance but it is possible to lessen the responsibilities of the individuals as they grow older.  Vinyl siding, metal roofing and composite decking are three easy exterior modification to homes where seniors wish to age in place.  Choose landscape materials that come back each year on their own as well as varieties that do not require yearly trimming.  Install automatic sprinklers as well.  These are all great options for keeping the curb appeal while allowing independence and aging in place.

It is also important that you look into the rooms within the home.  Remove all throw rugs, baskets sitting on the floor, cords in areas that individuals will be walking and easy the simple things like light switches and cabinet door pulls.  In the bathroom many choose to do age in place remodeling such as installing entry free showers with a built in seat.  Grab bars are also an important feature.  Lighting should be bright throughout the home as well.  Install rocker switches at all the entry and exits of a room to avoid having to walk into a room in the dark.

Creating a safe, comfortable space for the senior in your life is fairly simple.  Always hire contractors that are certified in handicap remodeling and age in place remodeling.  They will be the best guide to analyzing the current space and offering suggestions on what areas could use some improvement to create a space that is as safe as possible.

The Home Doctor, based in Livingston County including Brighton and Howell Michigan, offers a variety of home renovations to clients ranging from bathroom remodeling to age in place home modifications.  Contact http://glenmillerthehomedoctor.com/ today all of your home renovating needs.

It is incredibly difficult to grasp that our parents are not as young as they once were although they remain as stubborn.  For the most part aging individuals will want to stay in their homes.  If they can fix their own meals, bathe on their own and continue to dress themselves and don’t need personal one on one care you can ensure that they will want to age in place.  With this in mind it is important that as many hazards as exist within the home are alleviated to avoid accidents that can occur.

The number one concern in age in place renovations is to prevent falls.  Do an assessment on the home and begin to look for areas that look like they present further risks of falling.  This means that all throw rugs and clutter need to be removed from the home.  Areas within the home that should be double and triple checked include stairways, showers and kitchens.  As well as making sure there are no throw rugs or clutter present be sure to increase the lighting in these main areas.  A well lit area goes a long way in preventing falls throughout the home.

The bathroom is the most dangerous area with the home for all of us not just the elderly.  The bathroom is the location in which most slip and falls occur.  If you are going to completely gut and renovate any one room in your parents home while they choose to age in place it should be the bathroom.  A bathroom overhaul should include the addition of a barrier free shower with a zero entry.  Grab bars and seats should be installed within the shower.  Grab bars should also be placed near the toilet.  Another highly recommended addition is a toilet that is elevated higher than a normal household toilet.  A bathroom that is ideal for seniors aging in place should also include slip resistant flooring and levered handles on all cabinet drawers and doors.

The cost of a new bathroom can be upwards of six thousand dollars or more depending on the exact renovations that are done as well as the labor fee that is charged by the age in place renovation specialist you choose to hire.  It is advisable to look into hiring a contractor that specializes in age in place renovations or ADA remodeling.  General contractors don’t necessarily know or understand the needs of clients with limited mobility or balance concerns.

The Home Doctor, based in Livingston County including Brighton and Howell Michigan, offers a variety of home renovations to clients ranging from bathroom remodeling to age in place home modifications.  Contact http://glenmillerthehomedoctor.com/ today all of your home renovating needs.

Where are you going to live as you age?  This is a question many baby boomers are facing right now.  When given a choice between living at home or moving into an assisted living situation most seniors would choose to stay at home.  The difficult part is left to their providers.  How can we create a space within their home where they are free to live independently while continuing to be safe?

Bodies change throughout the aging process.  The needs your parents have at seventy are different than what they will be at eighty.  This makes remodeling for the needs of aging parents a bit trickier than most home remodeling projects.

There are two main places where seniors have problems that need to be addressed before any others, the entrance and exits of the home and the bathroom spaces.  Most homes have stairs that are used to enter into and exit out of a home.  This can be extremely difficult on aging backs and knees.  When your parent decides they would like to stay in their home you need to consider having a handicap ramp installed on all the exits and entrances.

Create an entrance and exit without a lip.  The ramp should be wide enough to accommodate walkers and wheelchairs.  It should offer enough support for those needing stability from a handrail to maneuver.  Designing a ramp that functions with the home without sticking out is an art.  There are many contractors specializing in age in place remodeling and handicap ramp design and installation.  Work with someone who specializes in the needs of seniors.  They have the experience and knowledge to know what works and what doesn’t with every type of need.

A bathroom contractor that specializes in ADA accessibility is what you are looking for when designing a bathroom to be safe for the needs of aging bodies.  Their needs change often as they grow old and the last thing you want to do is remodel every time their needs change.  This is why it is crucial to work with a contractor that specializes in age in place and ADA accommodations.  They know and understand the changes that a person will go through and will be able to address those concerns in their design.

Safe bathrooms require more than an additional light, taller toilet and a few grab bars.  There are details that need to be addressed in the design.  Specialists will look at all areas of the space from seating in the shower to the storage of incontinence pads.  An age in place specialist has unique methods to create a space that looks as elegant as any modern bathroom renovation with the needed benefits required to keep seniors safe and able to live independently.

The Home Doctor, based in Livingston County including Brighton and Howell Michigan, offers a variety of home renovations to clients ranging from bathroom remodeling to age in place home modifications.  Contact http://glenmillerthehomedoctor.com/ today all of your home renovating needs.

Making any home improvement is exciting.  When you fix, replace or freshen-up the spaces in your home it takes the space from dull and lived in to clean and new.  If you take on a home renovation without the right tools or incorrect information, this exhilarating time into a stressful situation for everyone involved.  In the article below you will find a variety of tips that can help turn all of your household projects into successful ones.

When you are first considering a home improvement project be sure to think about where to start.  Not every renovation needs to be taken on at one time.  Instead start with one room at a time.  Plan ahead so that you can keep your eyes open for deals.  If a kitchen contractor or flooring specialist is running a summer special then it may be time to make adjustments to your time line. Take advantage of low prices on both materials and labor when you can.  Don’t however start on one project and jump to another mid renovation just because you are looking to get a deal.  The disturbance of two home renovations at one time is a lot for your family to handle.

When you are looking to do any home improvement project that involves electricity, plumbing or your homes structure you will need to secure permits.  Many times renovations requiring a permit are better managed using a licensed contractor.  Hiring a professional often ends up saving homeowners money and time in the end.  The discount contractors receive on materials as well as the ability to do the work right the first time adds up to savings on the homeowners end.

When you are taking on something simple like a fresh coat of paint try to schedule the update over a long weekend.  This will give you additional time encase everything does not goes as planned.  If you are looking to paint rooms as quickly as possible try and stick to painting during the day when you are able to use the natural light.  Artificial light gives off shadows and can cause you to miss areas.  When painting a ceiling work from the outside in.  Start around the edges and finish in the center.  Walls should be painted from top to bottom.  If you are going to hire a painter ask to see examples of their work in person especially when looking to hire them to paint more than one room.  Technique is crucial when it comes to painting to prevent an uneven paint job.

When tackling complete room renovations such as bathroom or kitchen remodels plan your renovation out from start to finish. This is important whether you are working with a contractor or attempting it on your own.  Having a plan in place of when specific progress points are helps to prevent delays common in home improvement projects.

Another tip when remodeling is to take the clutter out of the process.  Simplify the space and don’t go overboard with too many patterns, colors or materials.  Stick with a theme and work on complimenting it in a manner that improves the space.

There is a lot to think about when it comes to sprucing up your home.  Working on one room at a time will allow you to wrap your head completely around one project.  This focus will help prevent time delays as well as improve each renovation.  When you can devote time, energy and finances on one space it allows you to take into consideration each and every detail so that the space is truly something unique and useful to your home and family.

The Home Doctor, based in Livingston County including Brighton and Howell Michigan, offers a variety of home renovations to clients ranging from bathroom remodeling to age in place home modifications.  Contact http://glenmillerthehomedoctor.com/ today all of your home renovating needs.