Why Aging-In-Place Matters

Repeat after me, “I am not getting older.  I am not getting olderI am not getting older!!!”   There, did that feel better?  Denial works for me, but only for a while.

All kidding aside, we are getting older.  And we want to stay in our homes.  Why?  Selling is hard in many ways and the market isn’t helping.  Relocating and leaving friends is not easy either.  And moving is expensive,  a cross-country move for a three-bedroom home can cost as much as $8,000, which is just the tip of the iceberg.

If you remodel your home to support you as you gracefully age, then you have a choice of remaining in your home.   You retain control over your situation and you have more choices. 

There are three key areas to think about when designing your home for longevity:

  • Level Entry–  The pathway from the car-parking to the interior of the home should be level or use ramps.
  • Kitchen-  A kitchen that has rollout storage cabinets, counters with seating, and easy to use appliances and sinks can go a long way towards continued enjoyment preparing your food and cleaning up after.
  • Bathroom- At least one bath in the home should have a safe way to bath with seating; seating at the counter and plenty of grab bars.    The look can be very clean and classy with a walk-in shower.

There are more details to consider, from widen doorways, all the way to adding a suite for a potential caregiver. You could take this step by step, or develop a master plan with your spouse or family.  First you must decide how long you intend to occupy your home.  Sometimes a crisis will force a short term home modification, which may be temporary.

If you would like a consultation, give me a ring at WrightBuilt 272-6657 or email andy@wrightbuilt.biz
 
Andy Wright
Certified Aging in Place Specialist
Certified Remodeler
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Soapstone Countertops

Kitchen remodel by WrightBuilt with soapstone and butcher block counters

What is the perfect counter top?  The home improvement boom saw a multitude of solid surfaces with granite and man-made quartz counters leading the charge.  Out with tile and grout, in with granite!  But there’s another choice:  soapstone.

Soapstone is a natural, metamorphic rock also known as “steatite”.  There is artistic grade soapstone, commonly found in California, which is softer and can be used for carving.   Architectural grade soapstone is much harder and suitable for countertop usage.

Continue reading

Posted in Kitchens, Remodel | Leave a comment