As your loved one gets older, their everyday routine may start to look a bit different. They might need assistance with tasks that used to come easily, such as bathing, cooking, or getting dressed. However, with some simple home improvements, you can make these activities more manageable and less of a hazard. Use the following list to start planning your parent’s or grandparent’s updated living space.

3 Home Improvements to Optimize Your Aging Loved One’s Home

1. Walk-In Tub

The maneuvers required to use a bathtub can be risky for your aging loved one—from climbing over the ledge to get in, to standing up from sitting on a low, wet surface. Eliminate these risks by switching out a deep-set tub or shower/tub combination for a walk-in tub. These look a bit like hot tubs with swinging doors, so there’s no need to climb in. They also feature seats or benches, so it’s not necessary to maneuver to floor-level. Once the door is closed, it’s watertight, so that the compartment can fill up like a standard bathtub.

2. Modified Cabinets

Cooking can be a challenge as your parent or grandparent ages, especially when they need to remove heavy ingredients and dishware from the cabinets. To make things easier, switch out the lower, swinging-door cabinets for sliding drawers, which don’t require kneeling on the floor. In corner cabinets, add built-in Lazy Susans for easy access to rear objects. You could also add pull-down shelving systems to upper cabinets, so it’s easier to access items from high spots without having to reach too high or use a step stool. 

3. Ramps & Railings

If your aging loved one is, or will be using a wheelchair, adding ramps to all entrances and exits of their living space is crucial. Indoors, consider adding small ramps wherever there are ledges, such as within door frames. Even if they’re not in a wheelchair, these small adjustments will make it easier to use a walker. If they’re walking, add railings alongside all ramps in case they need extra upper body support.

To get started on these transformative home improvements, reach out to Feldhaus Home Improvement of Cincinnati, OH. They have over 80 years of experience catering to area clients, and they are committed to 100% customer satisfaction. Whether you need bathroom remodeling or deck installation, visit the website to learn more about their services. You can also call (513) 631-1222 to request a free estimate.