Busted! Don't Believe These Aging in Place Myths!

Though we would all love to stay forever young, aging is inevitable. Eventually, everyone has to go through the aging phase, and it’s always better to think about it sooner than later. Proper planning will help make sure you and your family are ready to face anything that might arise.

While most people invest in pension plans during their young years to help them stay financially stable when they’re older, very few of them prepare their house for old age. It’s essential to consider the minute details of aging in place and plan ahead of time so that it will not only make your life comfortable and convenient but will also allow you to ease worries about your loved ones. However, while preparing your home for the autumn of your life, you may fall prey to some myths. We’ve debunked three myths to make you aware of what the reality is.

MYTH 1: Only seniors need to make home safety changes in their homes.

Many people would prefer to live in their own homes for the rest of their lives. Confusion about when and how to make adjustments to continue to live in your home safely, comfortably and independently as you age is common. Aging in place design is a universal design that allows those folks who are currently able bodied, to live into their best years starting now. It is important to make adjustments before you need them such as no step entries, handrails, non-slip tiles, elevated toilets and vanities and touchless faucets. Making these changes and purchases now in your higher earning years will serve as an advantage both physically and financially later on in life.

MYTH 2: Showers with glass doors and built in seats are the best options for universal design

Sliding doors can block half of the shower entrance creating an accessibility problem. Also, built-in seats are often at the far end of the shower which is too far from the controls. Options such as door-less shower entrances and drains at the shower entrance can address accessibility and functionality. Portable seats are much more flexible and often cost less.

MYTH 3: Universal Design lowers your home's resale value.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Remodeling your interior to make it usable for people of all ages and physical abilities enhances the value and resale value of the home by creating a larger pool of likely purchasers. Also, there are far more attractive and well-priced options for handrails, grab bars, flooring options, plumbing fixtures, ergonomic hardware, and construction materials than ever before.

At Donna J. Barr Interior Design, I design comfortable and functionally correct personal spaces for clients of all age groups. And I bring my extensive experience of forty years to the best use of my clients. I assist my clients in customizing their home to meet their changing needs and lifestyle. For more information on Aging in Place please request the special report from my website here. For a complete list of interior design services that I offer, please click here. If you have any questions about Donna J. Barr Interior Design, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us here.