Aging in place renovations

Most people spend their entire lives working towards their dream home. Once they do finally settle into the house they’ve always strived for, it suddenly seems like it’s time to think about the next phase of life.

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It feels unjust to spend all the time and energy pouring your heart and soul into your home, only to downsize or move into a retirement home later in life. After all, you’ve raised a family and built memories inside those four walls.

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What are the benefits of aging in place?

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More Canadians are choosing to go the “aging in place” route by staying in their home nest, renovating their home to accommodate their changing needs as they get older.

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According to research performed by the National Home Modifications Survey, 67 per cent of Canadians believe that renovating their home is more effective than living in a retirement home or long-term care facility. And 70 per cent of people agree that aging in place helps seniors keep a sense of dignity.

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As we get older, that original dream home needs to be modified to help with safety, security and overall ease of use. The Canadian Homebuilders’ Association estimates 80 per cent of homes could be modified to allow seniors to age in place.

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The overwhelming majority of Canadians would prefer to live at home for as long as possible. Retaining a sense of independence is key for these folks looking to keep their roots planted at home.

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By performing aging in place renovations, these seniors get the best of both worlds; they can keep all the comforts and benefits of home, and renovating their home gives them the space and tools they need to live comfortably and with ideal accessibility.

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Aging in place renovation ideas and cost

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Remodelling your home to make it more senior-friendly could mean many things. Perhaps it’s something as simple as installing grab-bars and hand-rails in the bathroom. Or it could mean a major accessible home renovation, like a main floor suite addition or wheelchair accessible home renovations.

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Even in the case of major remodelling projects, renovating may be more cost effective than moving to a new location. When you factor in the costs of moving, selling your home, and buying a new one, things can really add up.

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Not to mention, that process could take months, if not years, to find a new home that suits your needs. Transforming your place into an accessible barrier-free home will not only improve your quality of life, but it has the potential to add value to your property.

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