Aging-in-Place Ideas for Bathrooms and Kitchens

The aging-in-place design is basically future proofing your home for when you get older and things are less accessible to you. While your end goal is to ensure that your entire home is more accessible, you should prioritize the two most problematic areas for seniors – the bathroom and the kitchen. HC McKinney discusses aging-in-place ideas for bathrooms and kitchen spaces.

Aging-in-Place Bathrooms

The bathroom’s naturally slippery surface makes it a dangerous place for seniors. To make it more accessible, we suggest installing handles you can grasp on to in strategic places, such as near the shower area or toilet. You can even go further by installing dual-duty grab bars that double as shelves.

We also suggest replacing your tub with either a shower or a walk-in tub. Walk-in tubs are better since they allow you to sit and you don’t need to climb over a slippery surface just to get in. As the name suggests, you simply walk in.

Finally, you can go a step further by replacing your floor tiles with non-slip tiles. The key here is to find the most textured floor tile since the more texture the surface has, the less slippery it gets. Vinyl floors are also a good replacement since they resist moisture and have a “natural” grippable surface.

Aging-in-Place Kitchens

The kitchen is easier to future proof since it only requires a few adjustments. For the sink area, we recommend elevating it a bit so that you don’t have to slouch. If you’re completely remodeling the kitchen, our recommendation is to install a motorized counter or sink so you can adjust the height as you see fit.

It’s also a good idea to lower the height of your upper cabinets and shelves to make it more accessible. Finally, consider moving the appliances in easier to reach and more accessible areas of the kitchen.

Need help creating an aging-in-place bathroom or kitchen? Fill out our form or give us a call at (972) 752-6985 for more information on our services. We’ll be happy to give you an estimate as well.