Albuquerque is home to many snowbirds, or people who spend their winters here and summers up north. Many of our friends who spend their winters here are age 65 or older. They live in the Albuquerque are for several months out of the year while their northern home is cold and covered with snow. We regularly work with these senior homeowners to make their home more comfortable and senior-friendly. Let’s take a look at several ways we can help renovate your winter home to make it more accommodating during your senior years.
The Kitchen
- Adjust the height of the countertops to make them a comfortable height.
- Install a shallow 6” deep sink for ease of washing dishes or cleaning foods.
- Install a motorized sink if needed to accommodate someone in a wheelchair as well as someone standing.
- Install an anti-scald device to prevent hot water burns.
- Add pull-out shelves to lower cabinets to make them more easily accessible.
- Add a pull-down mechanism for upper cabinets if necessary.
- Change hardware on cabinets and drawers to make it easier for arthritic hands to open them.
- Install appliances that incorporate universal design elements.
- Install non-slip flooring and remove small rugs that may become a trip and fall hazard.
- Remove the kitchen island to open the room up for ease of mobility.
The Bathroom
- Make sure there’s at least one full bathroom on the primary level of the home, and that it is large enough to accommodate a wheelchair or walker if needed. Remember to plan for the unexpected; if you don’t currently have mobility issues, you may in the future.
- Remodel the bathroom to include a curbless shower with an adjustable shower head.
- Install decorative grab bars and a bench seat in the shower.
- Install a new toilet that accommodates people with mobility issues. Consider a toilet with a bidet option to improve personal hygiene.
- Install a toilet paper holder designed for one-hand changing of toilet paper rolls.
The Laundry Room
- Make sure the laundry room is easily accessible on the primary level of the home, and that it is large enough to accommodate people with mobility issues.
- Adjust all shelving, countertops, and cabinets to ensure that everything is in easy reach.
- Install a front-load washer and dryer to make the entire laundry process easier.
- Install a hanging rack so you can hang clothing immediately as it comes out of the dryer and transport it to the closet as needed.
- Install lower cabinets for storage of laundry detergents and other cleaners, and a countertop to assist with folding laundry.
Make all Rooms Safe
We only focused on 20 things you could do to three separate rooms in the home to make them more convenient for seniors in this particular blog post. But you really need to focus on the entire home. Install nonslip flooring, remove small rugs that could become trip and fall hazards, install updated lighting with easy-access controls, and make sure that thresholds from one room to the next are not a fall hazard.
Hendren Construction has been in the home building and renovation service since 1987. We fully understand Albuquerque’s requirements and the demands placed on homes, and we are very familiar with the concept of aging in place. Allow us to show you how we will work with you to ensure that your home is senior friendly. Call us at 505-991-0063 to schedule a consultation.