Thinking about remodeling or redecorating your home? Why not think make some changes now to ensure that your home suits your needs as you age? Barriers can be found throughout the home and can create challenges. Many simple solutions are available to accommodate people of all abilities.

As people age, they often experience some ability and mobility issues, and though this can become problematic, having the option to live independently in a familiar home and neighborhood is often the preference. In order to accommodate this desire, many homes may require a variety of modifications to ensure that barriers are reduced or eliminated altogether.

Barrier Free Design

Barrier free design refers to the creation of an environment that contains no structural or psychological features that might prevent a person of any ability level from using the environment to its full extent.

As the baby boomers age, contractors and consumers are becoming increasingly interested in the idea of barrier free design. Although government legislation has been implemented to state its responsibility to create environments that are equally accessible to all in the public domain, there is very little to regulate personal home accessibility.

At present, about 12 % of the Canadian population is age 65 or older. By 2021, roughly 19% of the total population will be senior. The need for barrier free design will only increase with time. It is inevitable.

The amount of home renovation or modifications necessary to make a home barrier free is completely dependent on each individual’s level of mobility and the existing design of the home. Listed below are some easy modifications that can make a huge difference in your home’s accessibility.

General Home Access

Many features can create barriers in the home, and many of these can be easily adapted. One of the most important factors to consider is the flooring. Surfaces should be even and undamaged, holes and uneven joints should be repaired to avoid tripping, and a non-glare, non-slip floor finish should be used – this will help prevent falls and slipping. Similarly, decreasing or eliminating thresholds are a great way to contribute to a barrier free environment. Depending on your level of mobility, a ramp might be useful in various places inside and outside of the home.

Ensuring that proper lighting is available throughout the house is another suggestion that is often overlooked. As well, adjusting the height of peepholes, light switches, electrical outlets and phone jacks may be necessary to accommodate family members’ abilities.

Doors can be problematic as well and are often removed or replaced. Bi-fold or sliding doors take up less space and can be opened with less effort. In many cases, doorways are widened to accommodate wheelchairs.

Adding strategically placed railings throughout the house is a good idea, as they offer added stability and support. Railings come in all shapes, sizes and colors these days, so finding one to match your needs and decor is easy! On that note, when considering color schemes for your home, be sure to think about high color contrast on items to make them easier to identify.

Kitchens

The kitchen is the heart of the home. This is where everyone gathers around to eat and chat. But is your kitchen comfortable and accessible for everyone in your family?

One of the most common modifications to the kitchen is the adjustment of the counters and sinks. Usually, this means lowering in order to accommodate sitting or wheelchair access. Lowering the counters and sinks, or even just creating a section of lowered counter top in one area of the kitchen accommodates those who may prefer to be seated and/or are in a wheelchair. Remember, this requires knee space to be factored in underneath as well! Variable height counters and shelving is also available to those looking for the most accommodating option.

Faucets are another item that can often become troublesome. They can easily be made more accessible by simply changing to a lever-type faucet. In some cases, the faucet may need to be relocated to accommodate reach.

Keep in mind that there are so many products for the home that are universally designed, particularly for the kitchen, including appliances, utensils and more!

Bathrooms

Bathrooms are a popular renovation, but can be challenging with space restrictions and tons of barriers. Generally, this space requires more work to make it accessible, but the modifications are often necessary.

In some cases, modifications just don’t work in a particular area for any number of reasons. For example, some bathrooms are just too small or awkward to modify into effectively accessible spaces. In cases such as these, there are often other options, which often require adding an extra bathroom or modifying another bathroom in the house.

Some obvious barriers in the bathroom are the sink, toilet and bathtub. Often these require some renovation. Most commonly, sinks are replaced with a semi-recessed basin, including universal faucets and the bathtub with a modified tub or a roll-in shower. As well, a raised toilet with a modified flush handle is a good accessible replacement.

Some easier modifications include non-slip flooring, level thresholds and tilted mirrors.

These are just a few suggestions to consider when renovating or modifying your home. Barrier free design isn’t about designing an environment for people with disabilities; it’s about designing for all abilities. There are many options available to make an existing home more accessible and comfortable to its homeowners and visitors for today and for the future. For a complete assessment, contact a contractor that specializes in home modifications for accessible living.

This article was provided by Dona Brent. Dona Brent is the communications manager for Barrier Free Construction, a general contractor with expertise in accessible home modifications. For more information, please visit www.bfconstruction.ca , or call 416-335-7406 today.