Buying, building, and remodeling a home is a huge undertaking for anyone but the challenge is real when you are in need of making it suitable for your aging parents, your spouse with a chronic illness or physical challenge, or if your planning for your own future.
There is a growing trend toward people aging in place, coming home from hospitals sooner, and with more significant challenges in terms of illness or physical limitations. This trend will be growing as we progress through time. You may be facing this challenge right now? I would love to hear more specifically about it and you can send me your story, your challenges to my website https://www.caregiverbydesign.com/contactme or DM me on IG https://www.instagram.com/caregive_bydesign or FB https://www.facebook.com/caregiverbydesign
I have been in many many homes that were very challenging for people to navigate with their newly compromised LO and they were scrambling at the last minute to make changes. Sometimes, when the hospital would call and say, "your mom is coming home today?” The CG is often a bit frazzled with last-minute changes to be made.
Matt, my husband, and architect answered some questions for us :
Q: What are some of the biggest mistakes made or missed opportunities when people are modifying a home for an aging or disabled family member?
A: 1. Overcomplicating the widening of doorways.
2. Using cheaper materials or taking shortcuts suggested by the contractor. 3. Not contacting the building inspector in your area for the clearances you may need
Things to consider : seek a local home modification specialist. Consider making quality improvements that have a longevity factor. Consider asking an architect to do a consultation for your situation. Allocate your money to the most used parts of the home.
Q: When looking at a new home build, what are some things to consider?
A: Be aware of the updated international residential building code. For example: you no longer need to have a 6" step from garage to home entry.
A: consider future use and placement of an elevator in a 2 story home. It's not as much of a luxury as you might think. it is more possible than it once was.
A: consider the use of a kitchen that allows your LO to use it, socially at least
A: make kitchen mobility as safe as possible, consider railing
A: more space, less clutter, is very valuable
A: Bathrooms with built-in railing . The layout that would accomodate a wheelchair.
Standard bathroom is 5 feet by 7 feet deep. Consider making this more spacious. Layout is very important. Consider making a bathroom connected to the bedroom for them to minimize fall risks.
A: you could have a home designed so that the entire floor could be gutted and be left with supporting structure that would allow for changes you will need in the future.
A: Consider laying out bathrooms with room for vertical grab bars
A: Flooring is an important investment and carpet is not ideal.
A: think carefully about entry and exit access for someone in a wheelchair
Subscribe and leave a review on apple iTunes and share with your caregiving friends and family.
If you need more help/support on your caregiving journey, you can find it over at https://www.caregiverbydesign.com/coaching
Free training now : watch a short free video I created on coaching vs caregiving https://www.caregiverbydesign.com/freetraining
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By Angie
4.8
44 ratings
Buying, building, and remodeling a home is a huge undertaking for anyone but the challenge is real when you are in need of making it suitable for your aging parents, your spouse with a chronic illness or physical challenge, or if your planning for your own future.
There is a growing trend toward people aging in place, coming home from hospitals sooner, and with more significant challenges in terms of illness or physical limitations. This trend will be growing as we progress through time. You may be facing this challenge right now? I would love to hear more specifically about it and you can send me your story, your challenges to my website https://www.caregiverbydesign.com/contactme or DM me on IG https://www.instagram.com/caregive_bydesign or FB https://www.facebook.com/caregiverbydesign
I have been in many many homes that were very challenging for people to navigate with their newly compromised LO and they were scrambling at the last minute to make changes. Sometimes, when the hospital would call and say, "your mom is coming home today?” The CG is often a bit frazzled with last-minute changes to be made.
Matt, my husband, and architect answered some questions for us :
Q: What are some of the biggest mistakes made or missed opportunities when people are modifying a home for an aging or disabled family member?
A: 1. Overcomplicating the widening of doorways.
2. Using cheaper materials or taking shortcuts suggested by the contractor. 3. Not contacting the building inspector in your area for the clearances you may need
Things to consider : seek a local home modification specialist. Consider making quality improvements that have a longevity factor. Consider asking an architect to do a consultation for your situation. Allocate your money to the most used parts of the home.
Q: When looking at a new home build, what are some things to consider?
A: Be aware of the updated international residential building code. For example: you no longer need to have a 6" step from garage to home entry.
A: consider future use and placement of an elevator in a 2 story home. It's not as much of a luxury as you might think. it is more possible than it once was.
A: consider the use of a kitchen that allows your LO to use it, socially at least
A: make kitchen mobility as safe as possible, consider railing
A: more space, less clutter, is very valuable
A: Bathrooms with built-in railing . The layout that would accomodate a wheelchair.
Standard bathroom is 5 feet by 7 feet deep. Consider making this more spacious. Layout is very important. Consider making a bathroom connected to the bedroom for them to minimize fall risks.
A: you could have a home designed so that the entire floor could be gutted and be left with supporting structure that would allow for changes you will need in the future.
A: Consider laying out bathrooms with room for vertical grab bars
A: Flooring is an important investment and carpet is not ideal.
A: think carefully about entry and exit access for someone in a wheelchair
Subscribe and leave a review on apple iTunes and share with your caregiving friends and family.
If you need more help/support on your caregiving journey, you can find it over at https://www.caregiverbydesign.com/coaching
Free training now : watch a short free video I created on coaching vs caregiving https://www.caregiverbydesign.com/freetraining