There’s nothing quite like the comforts of our own home. If you’ve built a life in your current home and plan to stay, it’s important to think about your future and the safety of your home as you age in place. If this is a new term for you, aging in place simply refers to the ability to live safely and independently in your home as you age, for as long as possible.

Whether you are planning for yourself or as a caregiver for your spouse or other loved ones, there are many updates you can do now so that your home is properly prepared when the need arises. 

While this list may not be all inclusive, the information below is intended to provide recommendations to help you plan and highlight ways that Home Outlet can aid in your effort to make your home a safer place to live as you age.

Easy Aging in Place Home Modifications

Start with small, impactful projects that will enhance your home’s safety and functionality now while preparing for the future. We recommend that you focus on three areas: organizing your living spaces, upgrading to home products that are easier to maintain, and making small adjustments throughout the home to prevent slips and trips.

Organizing Your Home Spaces

Who wouldn’t benefit from a more organized home? Below are a few of our favorite kitchen organization hacks - or read our complete article about Organizing Your Home here.

• Kitchen Organizers - Spice, pots and pans, and tupperware are just a few items in the kitchen that can create either stress or relief. When these areas of your kitchen are well organized, you are better equipped to finish the task at hand. Create a system now to determine how you want your kitchen supplies organized for years to come.

• Built-In Trash Cans - This is an upgrade worth considering if you are undergoing a kitchen remodel. Our semi-custom kitchen cabinet lines like Fabuwood and Kith, among others, offer built-in trash receptacles so that trash cans are hidden and out of the way.

• Lazy Susan - There’s nothing lazy about an efficient use of space. Do you have a corner cabinet or other hard to reach space in your kitchen? Maximize the use of that storage with a lazy susan insert and easily locate the items you need, when you need them!

• Pull-Out Shelves - This is also an excellent way to access the hard-to-reach space in the back of a cabinet or pantry; pull-out shelving allows the homeowner to store and use items without the struggle. A removable basket is an easy update without renovating the cabinet itself.
  

Home Products that are Easier to Maintain

Home Outlet offers a variety of products that are low-maintenance, durable, and functional. Below are a few examples of products you may consider to create a home that requires minimal effort to maintain!

• Vinyl Plank Flooring - This flooring requires little maintenance and offers many years of functionality and durability. Vinyl Plank floor covering is water resistant, scratch resistant, and holds up against the wear and tear that can happen over time. Don’t worry, you won’t need to compromise on style - there are many colors and features available in vinyl plank flooring. Plus, it is a cost-efficient solution! 

• FIberglass Exterior Doors - While exterior wood doors add a certain classic charm to a home, there is no denying the durability that an exterior Fiberglass Door will provide. Is your heart set on the look of the wood door? Emulate that look with a durable Fiberglass door. The options are versatile and the maintenance is low-key.

• Quartz or Laminate Countertops - Countertops could become a pricer upgrade depending on the material that you choose. That’s why it is important to select a countertop that will last for many years to come. Quartz is an excellent, low maintenance solution for your kitchen and bathrooms but can require a higher investment. Laminate, on the other hand, has come a long way and offers great value for a low price tag! There are many colors and styles, plus with the advancements in the printing technology - you may not even realize it’s laminate! Learn more about Laminate Countertops in our blog here.
  

Home Improvement Tips to Prevent Slips & Trips

One of the most common mishaps in the home is an accidental trip or fall. In addition to keeping your space tidy and well organized, there are many ideas you can incorporate into your home to reduce the likelihood of a trip or fall event. 

• Avoid Trip Hazards - While it seems like common sense, rugs and cords that may not bother you today could become a tripping hazard in the future. Walk through your house to identify any cords, clutter, or other items that could become hazardous. 

• Motion-Sensor Lighting - Dark spaces can become jarring and unfamiliar, increasing the risk of an accidental fall. Motion-sensor lighting in key areas of the house, like the bathroom, can help prevent this.

• Voice Activated Devices - As technology becomes more intuitive, voice activated devices are easier to learn and improve quality of life in your home tremendously. Consider adding devices to activate and control things like the lighting, thermostat, security system, television, and more, to avoid unnecessary movement around the house. 

• Slip-Resistant Flooring - Consider replacing slick flooring surfaces with carpet or textured tile to reduce the likelihood of an unwanted fall. Remember, decorative rugs can also become tripping hazards, especially if they do not lie flat.

Home Products Designed for Aging in Place

Home Outlet is committed to providing solutions that improve home safety for seniors. Through our Spend Less Express special order program with MAAX Bath, we offer a wide selection of products for aging in place. In addition, there are many other products in-stock and available through special order that make your home a safer place for you and your loved ones.

Explore the products we recommend for aging in place for your bathroom, kitchen, floors, and more.

Bathrooms

All MAAX products are designed to help you adapt your bathroom to your needs with features like their Stabili-T anti-slip floors, low thresholds, built-in seating, sturdy support, and optional accessories.

• Bathtubs - In addition to anti-slip and fall features, you may benefit from a spa-like tub. MAAX, among others, offers a line of bathtubs offering air massage, water massage, combined massage, and Chromatherapy, to turn your bathroom into your personal spa. A few special order bathtubs we recommend include:

• MAAX Bath air and water massage bathtubs

• American Standard Walk-in Bathtubs (more options coming soon!)

• Jason Hydrotherapy Bathtubs

• Showers - Accessible shower options provide minimal thresholds, anti-slip flooring, and built-in or add on seating and grab bars to make the shower experience as safe as possible. For low accessibility needs, the standard shower door may be fine. For greater accessibility, a shower curtain would create a safer environment. A few accessible shower options offered by MAAX include:
  
  

• MAAX Camelia 4834 Shower - with optional S grab bar & built-In seat

• MAAX Camelia 6034 SHower - with straight grab bar & built-in seat
  
  

• Toilets - A comfort height toilet offers a taller seat height and elongated bowl that makes it ADA compliant and increases accessibility. For example, the Cato Berline White ADA Toilet sold by Home Outlet rests at a height of 26.29 inches, compared to a more standard height of 16 inches that can be found in other toilets, like the Baltic Elongated Bowl Toilet.

• Vanities - An ADA compliant vanity with wheelchair accessibility ensures you can comfortably reach everything you need in the bathroom if you are wheelchair bound.

Accessories

As mentioned above, accessories in the bathroom and other areas of the house can provide peace of mind as you move independently around your home. There are several easy updates you can do to improve safety.

• Grab bars are the ideal accessory in the bathroom for helping you maneuver the space. They can be used inside and outside the shower/tub units, as well as next to the toilet. MAAX grab bars are offered in lengths ranging from 18” to 32” and can support up to 300 lbs.  

• Consider swapping your faucet handles to a lever-style handle. This style offers improved functionality for homeowners who may have arthritis or other conditions that impact the use of their hands.

• The door handles on your exterior and interior doors can also be swapped for a lever style handle. Many older homes  have heavy, round knobs for door handles. While the vintage look is beautiful, they may not be as practical if you experience issues with grasping/

• A touchless faucet can also eliminate the need to turn the faucet handles and reach across the sink. Bonus - the touchless faucet is a simple convenience when you are cooking and need to wash your hands. You may also consider an LED mirror in your bathroom with a touchless LED light.

Flooring

The floors installed in your home are equally important in creating a safe environment and decreasing the likelihood of trips and falls. A low-maintenance floor is also ideal for those who may not be able to provide the care and attention needed for other types of floor coverings, like hardwood.

• Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) offers many benefits for creating a safe and independent living space - such as slip-resistant and textured options, durability, water-resistance, and low maintenance. This floor covering is compatible with wheelchairs and walkers. We recommend using LVP flooring in kitchens, entryways, bathrooms, dining rooms, and living rooms.

• Tile isn’t completely out of the question for bathrooms, laundry rooms, and entryways; however - you will need to be more selective in the style and finish of the tile if your goal is to create a safe environment. Look for tiles that are matte finish, low-gloss, or even textured to help prevent slipping. 

• Carpet can be more high-maintenance than LVP, but can still be a great choice, especially for bedrooms. We recommend looking for a tight, low-pile carpet that won’t obstruct wheelchairs and walkers. Carpet provides extra cushioning in case of falls, added comfort, and noise reduction.

Kitchen

Updates in the kitchen may require more extensive planning, but if you spend a lot of time in the kitchen, the benefits may outweigh the investment of time and money that could be required.

• Opt for more pull-out drawers over doors in the lower cabinet area to create storage that is more convenient to access and easier to navigate around in the kitchen.

• If you or a loved one is wheelchair bound, ask about lowered cabinets to create a more convenient counter height for food prep.

• A simple yet impactful update is replacing cabinet hardware. Choose sleek, rounded handles or recessed pulls to prevent clothing from catching and reduce the risk of bruising or discomfort if bumped.

Major Home Renovations for Aging in Place

Early preparation is key to successfully creating a safe home for aging in place. It’s never too early to think about the renovations that may be needed to improve your home. In fact, we recommend the following projects be considered well before they will be necessary for you and/or your loved ones.

Thresholds & Entryway Accessibility Requirements

While many newer homes may already be built with standard accessibility needs in mind, most older homes were not.  A good first step is to measure areas like doorways, hallways and other areas you may eventually need to maneuver around your house with a wheelchair.  The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines has provided universal principles to ensure smooth transitions between rooms and thresholds.

• Threshold Height - The recommendation is ¼ inch maximum for an unbeveled threshold and ½ inch maximum for a beveled threshold, with a slope of 1:2 to prevent tripping hazards and to allow for smooth wheelchair movement.

• Doorway Clearance - The minimum opening width for a door clearing that allows wheelchair accessibility is 32 inches (measured from the door face to the stop, when open at 90 degrees). It is recommended that you utilize a 36 inch-wide door for comfort.

• Threshold Ramps - For those already in a wheelchair, consider removing the threshold and installing a ramp for an easier transition. If the threshold is greater than ½ inch, a small ramp or transition strip should be installed. The slope requirement is 1:12 (1 inch of rise for every 12 inches of run).

Open Spaces for Ease of Mobility

An open floor plan can greatly increase mobility within your home and decrease the chance of an accidental fall. While many newer homes feature open floor plans, older homes may be more boxed off and feature a multitude of design elements that could create issues for mobility including:

• Split-level features like sunken living rooms and multi-level homes

• Narrow hallways and doors

• Steep or narrow staircases

• Uneven flooring or transitions between rooms

• Small bathrooms that limit the ability to maneuver around traditional bathtubs (that can also be difficult to climb in and out of!)

• Difficult to reach cabinets and storage areas

• Islands or other features that do not have the necessary clearance between walls and other cabinets

While anything can be updated, changes to the layout of your home can be a greater home remodel undertaking. We recommend consulting a professional to discuss the ease of mobility within your current footprint and what options you have for improving the space. If you are looking for professional installation help, browse the Home Outlet Installer Directory on our website! Simply go to your store location page and click “Find a Local Installer” to see if there are any pros signed up in your area.

Convenient Layouts for a Safe Home

While there are some accessibility features within your home that are required, others are strongly encouraged for aging in place. If you have the ability to undergo a major renovation or are buying a new forever home, there are key considerations to keep in mind.

• Home Layout - Location of primary bedrooms, living spaces, etc. is key - all primary living spaces should be on the first floor. Avoid layouts or homes in which all of the bedrooms are upstairs. 

• Extra Space - Discuss plans with your family. If you plan to be a caregiver or ask a family member to move in as a caregiver, consider what may be needed to create a welcoming environment. This may include a private bedroom and bathroom - or possibly even a private entrance or separate guest house.

• Exterior Steps - If your home has exterior steps at any of the entrances, you will want to look at the option of adding a ramp for accessibility. If you are building, this should be a consideration for the house plan and lot you select.

Whether you are the caregiver or are planning now to prepare your own home for aging in place, there are many factors to consider. After addressing basic safety concerns like fall hazards, functional products, and accessible spaces – it’s important to keep in mind that this is your forever home and it should be a place that you enjoy. The products and home decor that you choose should be a reflection of you and what makes you happy. 

Home Outlet provides expert guidance for every step of this journey - from product recommendations to free project estimates to kitchen planning. Find a nearby store location and get started on your next aging in place project today.

 

About the Author

With over 15 years of experience in marketing and sales, Danial R. specializes in crafting strategic content for both online and offline audiences, driving internal communications, and staying ahead of industry trends. For the past six years, she's focused on the building materials industry, attending national design shows annually to bring fresh insights and inspiration to her work. Having recently built her own home, she brings a hands-on perspective to home improvement projects and shares practical advice based on real-world experience. She holds a degree in Marketing Management and a Master of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing, blending academic expertise with industry know-how to help homeowners and professionals achieve their goals.