Homeowners who want to age in place have a range of options. Some opt to live with family, move into an assisted living facility or purchase a new home that is equipped for aging-in-place design. The latter is an increasingly popular choice, as baby boomers and Gen X prepare for the twilight years and older seniors are willing to spend more money on a home that accommodates their needs rather than moving into a nursing home or relocating.

For this reason, accessible housing features are a growing trend among homeowners of all ages, according to Seattle area architect Aaron D. Murphy. He says his clients frequently request aging-in-place designs for their own future homes or for multigenerational living. “Whether they’re looking at a forever home or caring for a parent with mobility issues, the requests are pretty similar,” he says. “They’re asking for features that are functionally adaptable, but also discrete and low maintenance.”

While many aging-in-place remodels focus on kitchens, bathrooms, entryways and bedrooms, some are more expansive than others. For instance, a full-home elevator can cost more than $100,000, but the installation of a ramp might run up to $10,000. Also read https://www.sellmyhousefasthoustontx.com/we-buy-houses-van-alstyne-tx/

Aside from budgetary considerations, it’s important to understand how these modifications affect resale value because not all of them are created equal. In fact, some can actually hurt a property’s resale potential.

For instance, exterior metal ramps look unattractive and are often mistaken for a hospital-like feature that could scare away potential buyers. Other aging-in-place design options that might not make the cut are interior stairways with no railings, narrow doorways or kitchen islands that are difficult to navigate.

Fortunately, there are plenty of affordable and discreet aging-in-place designs that can be included in either a new home or an existing remodel. Many can be easily and inexpensively incorporated into the initial design phase by working with a senior design architect, who is expert in this field.

A physical assessment of the current structure can also be performed to determine if it’s suitable for accessibility upgrades. For example, a home can be built to accommodate a future elevator by adding wide doors, installing lever handles on faucets and showers and creating open floor plans with lower benches in kitchens. In addition, a basement can be finished for additional storage or to create a first-floor suite with a bedroom and bathroom that can be easily adapted to future mobility challenges. An alternative to building a new home is converting the backyard into a separate living space, called an accessory dwelling unit (ADU). These smaller units share the same lot as a primary residence and can be used for caregiving or incomegenerating purposes. They’re becoming more common as a way for aging adults to age in place while keeping their families close.