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ACCESSIBILITY & AGING IN PLACE UPGRADES
Accessibility upgrades and incorporating universal design elements are a great way to ensure that you can live safer and more comfortable lives in your home for a longer period of time.
In the sections below we explore bathroom safety, kitchen safety, and general safety modifications that can be made to your home to allow for people of any age or ability level to live in your home. Contact us today to discuss how you can incorporate these elements.
Bathroom Safety
Bathroom safety is something that is often overlooked until it’s too late. Of all the rooms in the home, bathrooms are often the most dangerous.
Research by the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that home repairs and alterations may prevent 30% to 50% of all home accidents among seniors, including falls that take place in older homes.
Let Melton Design Build help you with universal design ideas to create space and achieve health and longevity where you want to live.
Common barriers to independence in most bathrooms consist of challenges in reaching faucets and other controls because of height or type of control (e.g. round knob handles that make gripping and turning difficult). Fixed shower heads may become unreachable and bath fixtures lack grab bars or handles for balance and lifting. Toilets may also be too low and close to the wall.
All of these problems can be modified easily by Melton Design Build. Our 50 point home safety assessment will identify problems and then our craftsman will see that your safety in the bathroom is enhanced.
Bathroom modifications include the following:
- Grab Bars
- Wall Reinforcement
- Raised Toilets
- Walk in Tubs
- Hand held shower heads
- Non slip flooring
- Walk-in shower
- GFI Outlet
Kitchen Safety
The kitchen can be a danger zone for someone with mobility, vision, or flexibility issues. Slick surfaces, hard to reach counters, sinks and appliances and poor contrast make cooking difficult.
Inaccessibility in the kitchen can lead to serious accidents such as a fire or weight loss due to poor access. Kitchen modifications can help a person continue to live independently and safely.
Melton Design Build can help you with the following in your kitchen:
- Pull out shelves
- Accessible appliances
- Adjustable cabinets, counters and sinks
- Hand grips
- Easy grip faucets
- Non slip surfaces
- Install hanging racks
- Install sliding, revolving, pull-down, and/or motorized shelves
- Install lever handles or use knob adapters
General Safety Modifications
While bathrooms and kitchens contain most safety hazards, it’s important to remember that changes in all the other rooms of your home can have a positive impact too. Below are some examples of accessibility upgrades that can be made in other areas of your home.
Bedroom Modifications:
- Flooring changes
- Closets
- Light Switches
- Nightlights
- Ceiling Lifts
Living Room Modifications:
- Non slip surfaces
- Windows
- Switch replacement
- Lift chairs
- Stand poles
- Lighting
- Widen doorways
- Threshold Ramps
- Flooring changes
- Rug tapes
Laundry Room Modifications:
- Appliances
- Work Counter
- Reachable storage shelves or wall cabinets
- Easy Grip handles
- Large print operating instructions for easy reading
- Lighting
- Utility sink
- Adjustable hanging rods
- Adjustable shelving
- Raised appliances
- Threshold Ramps
Doors and Hallways:
- Work Counter
- Reachable storage shelves or wall cabinets
- Easy Grip handles
- Threshold Ramps
Exterior Modifications:
- Modular ramps
- Railings
- Porch Lifts
- Signage and Doorbells
- Package Shelves
- Widen Entrance Doors
- Lever handle
- Lighting