Is your home future-ready? While it can be easy to focus on the renovations that make us happy today, one of the most important things to consider for your comfort, safety, and value, is how your home will evolve around you as you age. With Canada’s senior population on the rise faster than ever before, universally accessible and senior accessible design has become a hot topic in the home development community. Whether you’re looking to live in your home as long as possible, or for ways to increase your property value, making sure your home is easy to navigate for people facing accessibility challenges is a smart move that will benefit everyone.
At Peak Improvements, we’re passionate about helping homeowners from all walks of life make the most out of their homes. Below, we’ll discuss some of the most common areas of the home that need to be focused on when looking to accommodate accessibility needs. Read on to learn more!
Lighting
It may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of home renovations, but it’s actually one of the more important elements where safety and comfort is concerned. Having enhanced illumination makes it far easier to navigate spaces safely by reducing your chances of slipping and falling, highlighting any hazards, and even just making it easier to see the things you need. Upgrading to LED lights, placing lights at lower levels (i.e. just above baseboards) in hallways or on stairs, and other such upgrades will go a long way to creating a brighter space that has your needs in mind!
Addressing Stairs and Hallways
Stairs can be one of the biggest challenges to navigate if your mobility is compromised, as can narrow hallways that make walkers and wheelchairs difficult to use. A key part of accessible design is addressing these concerns and finding ways to mitigate the difficulty of going from level to level in your home, as well as navigating smaller or awkwardly angled halls. Options like adding ramps, chair lifts, and even removing/walls if needed can go a long way toward ensuring you’re able to stay in your home for as long as possible.
Showers & Tubs
The bathroom is one of the most dangerous areas in the home where accessibility and senior minded alterations are concerned. Without the right features in place, you face a high risk of slips and falls, and potentially even worse accidents occurring. Adding in a large shower with a built-in seat and/or grab bars, or installing bars in the tub as well as adequate flooring and enhanced lighting for safe navigation are essential.
Slip Resistant Flooring
Finally, flooring is one of the most important details of the home overall, thanks to it serving as our day-to-day foundation as we go about our business. While it may not come to mind immediately, when you stop to think about it from an accessibility perspective, there’s a wide variety of challenges that can be present if you don’t have the right options in place. For example, carpets may be great for warmth and insulation, but if you need to use a walker or a wheelchair, you may find yourself frustrated. Conversely, you may also find yourself facing a fall hazard if your floors are too slippery. Working with an accessibility-trained team can make it simple to find the right fit for your space, as well as your specific needs going forward.
Build with Peak Improvements Today
With a little foresight, planning for the future and implementing accessible design doesn’t have to feel like a hassle. The Peak Improvements team is pleased to work alongside our clients to create the perfect home for today, tomorrow, and well into the future. Contact us now to learn more!