With over half of the boomer generation planning never to sell their homes and Gen Xers hoping to live in their homes until the end, future-proofing has been a hot renovation trend for the past few years. It is trending for 2025, and for years to come. Future-proof renovations are made up of the features that make aging in place easier for older and handicapped people.
Future-Proof Renovations That Pay Off
Future-proofing renovations are essential to help older people navigate their homes and remain safe and comfortable. Only about 10% of homes are fully prepared for age-in-place occupants. Future-proof homes usually have a 5% – 10% increase in resale value because they appeal to recent retirees and multi-generational families.
Bathroom Renovations
As people age, bathrooms can become an obstacle course full of danger and frustration. Remodeling or renovating a bathroom can cost up to $30,000.00.The good news is that you can realize a 70% return on investment and increase your house listing price by up to 3%. Some things to consider for your bathroom for safety and comfort include:
- Curbless Shower. No curb or track to step over.
- Shower Bench. Reduces the need to stand.
- Handheld Shower Head. Works well with a bench.
- Walk-In Tub. Equipped with a seat and available with water jets.
- Grab Bars. Suction cup grab bars can be located wherever needed and moved if necessary. Less than $50.00 per pair.
- Raised Toilet.
- Bidet.
- Lower Vanity. Lowering a vanity by even a few inches provides better and safer access.
Wider Doorways
Any doorway under 36” wide presents a navigation problem for wheelchairs and walkers. A 30” doorway only has a 28” opening because of the door slab and door stop. Many wheelchairs are close to 28” wide at the wheels. They can be maneuvered through 28” openings at the risk of bruised hands. Installing offset hinges on the door gets the slab completely out of the way when it is open–adding about 1 ½“ to the opening.
Widening the opening and installing a 36” door makes getting around easier and makes the house brighter and feel more open. Interior door replacement costs around $700.00 per door–supplied and installed.
New building codes require 36” wide exterior doors but some older houses still have 32” and 34” doors and 5’ wide sliding patio doors with about a 26” opening. Replacing exterior doors can cost around $1500.00 for labor and materials. Doors are available for under $1000.00 but can cost many thousands if you are looking for fancy glass, exotic wood, or pricey sidelights and transoms.
Level Transitions
New exterior door frames are available with wheelchair door sills that can be installed level with the flooring but are usually not low enough to eliminate the need for a ramp from the outside. Doorway threshold ramps are available in multiple sizes and shapes. Many are adjustable to achieve the exact height needed for smooth transitions between landings and door sills.
Interior transitions between rooms or flooring types can be made much smoother by installing transition strips. They are available in multiple sizes–height, width, and length–from home improvement outlets and most flooring stores. The multiple colors and sizes are made to match hardwood, laminate, and LVL. Even smoothing out small half-inch elevation changes inside the house makes walking and wheelchair use easier and safer.
Ramps
Wheelchair ramps from ground level to landings at doorways are long and sturdy. Every one-inch rise requires twelve inches in length. A 3’ rise requires a 36’ long ramp. Every ramp should be sturdy enough to hold 600 pounds. They should be a minimum of 36” wide–between railings–and have non-slip surfaces for safety when using wheelchairs, walkers, or motorized mobility scooters. Exterior ramps increase independence.
Stair Lifts
The most dangerous room in the house for older people is not a room. It is stairs–inside the home and exterior steps to entrances. Falling breaks hips and other bones. Falls also cause sprains and bruises. Installing stair lifts eliminates most falls and allows seniors with mobility problems the full use of their home–instead of being confined to the ground floor.
Stair lift costs range from about $2500.00 to $25,000.00. Pricing is very dependent on stair configuration and total length. Some dealers offer reconditioned used lifts and rentals to lower the cost.
Improved Security System
Home security systems cost $200.00 to $2000.00 to supply and install–depending on what kinds of extra add-ons you choose. A good system for an average home can be had for under $1000.00. Monthly monitoring is approximately $20.00 – $60.00. Seniors living alone often feel unable to protect themselves. Monitored security systems provide peace of mind and a more comfortable lifestyle.
Smart Home Technology
Smart home technology makes senior living easier and safer. Some of the products include:
- Voice Activation. Control lights, thermostats, music or order groceries and much more.
- AI Personalization. AI can learn your preferences and control house temperatures and lighting according to your bedtime rhythms. And much more as AI improves.
- Phone Apps. Things like furnace filters now have chips that communicate with your phone to let you know when to replace them. Apps can lock and unlock your doors, control air conditioning and dehumidifiers, operate robot vacuums, control ceiling fans, and bathroom fans, open and close skylights and windows–if they are properly equipped, etc.
More and Better Lighting
Have more and brighter lighting installed to make seeing easier as eyesight declines. Just replacing incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs increases the amount of light and saves money. Staircases are often dark with one light at the top and one at the bottom. Install more lighting to make the stairs safer and add LED reading lights and area lighting.
