Aging in Place: Accessible Houston Kitchen Remodeling

Are you considering Houston kitchen remodeling but concerned about how your aging or disabled parents will be able to enjoy the kitchen?

Then it’s time for aging in place remodeling, a form of accessible remodeling built with aging or disabled residents in mind.

Read on to learn more about how to use aging in place remodeling in your Houston kitchen remodeling project.

If you’re like most Americans, you want to stay living in a familiar setting as you age and mature. According to AARP, older homeowners typically prefer aging in place, which means staying in their current home and being able to live there safely, comfortably and independently, no matter their age or disabilities.

Older homeowners overwhelmingly prefer to age-in-place, which means living in your home safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age or ability level. – NAHB

However, you probably didn’t originally buy your home with accessibility in mind, as that was probably a far-off reality. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” you might have thought. While it’s never too early to plan ahead, many homeowners do not consider “aging in place” features when first buying a home.

Aging in place features are any home features that help elderly or disabled people live in their current home without sacrificing safety or independence.

For example, an able-bodied 34-year-old man can get in and out of the shower easily without help. However, when he starts getting into his 70s, he may need some assistance. It can feel utterly humiliating to ask for help doing basic things, such as taking a shower, or reaching bowls in a cabinet. Hence, accessible remodeling gives aging and disabled residents their dignity back so they may live independently.

In this example, a great accessible remodeling feature would be adding handrails to the shower and a seat. These items would make showering easier for disabled or aging residents or guests.

When it comes to aging in place Houston kitchen remodeling, you may be thinking of ugly metal ramps, plastic hand rails, and the like – but that is not the reality.

Aging in place remodeling gives you the best of both worlds: a gorgeous, functional kitchen and the accessibility you need.

You don’t have to sacrifice form for function; instead, you can have both!

Plus, the typical cost of a Houston kitchen remodeling project – generally under $10,000 – is far less than the cost of moving into a nursing home.

LongTermCare.gov states that the average cost of a nursing home per month is about $7,000 – and that’s for a semi-private room. A private room is typically priced at $7,698 per month.

It really is an affordable way to get a beautiful kitchen while also aging in place gracefully and comfortably.

Before your Houston kitchen remodeling project begins, your contractor will sit down with you to discuss details of the project. Be sure to be thorough with them about what is needed and why. They can also give you ideas you may not have even thought of!

Some of the most common examples of accessible Houston kitchen remodeling upgrades include:

• Adding a wheelchair ramp
• Widening doorways
• Adjusting counter top height
• Widening space to move around in the kitchen
• Changing faucets to levers for easier operation
• Adding pull-down shelves and lazy susans
• Installing pull-out racks in drawers and cabinets to make things easy to reach
• Moving the microwave to an accessible location
• Adding lighted cover plates and outlets to help anyone with vision impairment
• Replacing with glass-front cabinets for better visibility
• Getting a side-by-side fridge and place freezer at bottom
• Opening area beneath stove top and sink for wheelchair access
• Installing looped cabinet pulls instead of knobs

Note that typically counter tops are 36 inches tall. However, in order to be accessible for wheelchair users, the height should be lowered to at least 34″ and at least 28″ off the floor.

In addition, accessible counters should be 30″ wide. Adjustable counters are also an option, with a typical range of 28-36″ tall. Your contractor can use adjustable tables for you to test out to determine the best height for your “aging in place” counter tops.

When setting up a sink, note that the drain should be placed at the back, so as not to hinder wheelchair movement beneath the sink. Furthermore, insulate all pipes to protect legs from heat.

If you’re ready for Houston kitchen remodeling that will allow aging in place, call Premier Remodeling today. We can make your kitchen stunning, functional, and easy to use with our accessible remodeling. Simply call us at 713-532-1100 or click the button below to contact us online and schedule your consultation.