More and more families today are choosing “aging in place,” remaining in their homes as they get older rather than moving to assisted living. It’s a decision that preserves comfort, familiarity, and independence, but it also requires preparation.
Everyday features that once seemed simple can become daily obstacles with age. Stairs, slippery floors, hard-to-reach shelves, or dim lighting can compromise safety and quality of life. With thoughtful upgrades, however, your home can adapt right along with you.
At Decades, we bring decades of facility expertise and experience to support families in creating safe, functional, and accessible living spaces. From minor adjustments to larger-scale renovations, here are some of the most critical areas to address and why they matter.
A Guide to Aging in Place
Accessible Entrances and Doorways
The challenge: Mobility often becomes more limited with age. High steps, narrow doorways, and traditional round doorknobs are easy to overlook when you’re younger. However, as mobility decreases, these features can make entering and moving through your home a struggle, particularly with a walker or wheelchair.
The Solution: Entrances should be safe, secure, and easy to navigate with walkers, canes, or wheelchairs. Installing ADA-compliant saddle-type thresholds, ramps, or zero-step entrances reduces the risk of tripping. Widening doorways allows for easier navigation, and lever-style handles make doors less challenging to open for those with arthritis or limited hand strength.
Bathroom Safety and ADA Modifications
The challenge: Bathrooms pose one of the highest risks for falls. Slippery tile, high-sided bathtubs, and low toilets can make simple tasks dangerous. For many, the bathroom becomes a space of worry instead of comfort.
The solution: ADA-compliant modifications transform bathrooms into safer environments. Walk-in or roll-in showers with non-slip flooring and grab bars offer stability and independence. Comfort-height toilets and handheld showerheads reduce strain, making daily routines easier and safer.
Kitchen Accessibility
The challenge: Kitchens are the heart of the home, but they can also become sources of frustration. Bending to reach low cabinets, stretching for high shelves, or working at counters that are no longer the right height can create unnecessary physical strain.
The solution: Lowering countertops or creating multi-level surfaces makes meal prep accessible to everyone. Pull-out shelves and drawers minimize bending, and adjusting appliance placement ensures safety and convenience, helping the kitchen remain a space of joy and independence.
Lighting and Flooring Improvements
The challenge: As vision changes with age, poor lighting can make even familiar spaces unsafe. Uneven or slippery flooring increases the risk of falls, which are one of the leading causes of injury for older adults.
The solution: Brighter, energy-efficient LED lighting with motion sensors enhances visibility and reduces hazards. Slip-resistant flooring provides stability underfoot, while smooth, even surfaces make mobility aids easier to use.
Smart Technology and Emergency Systems
The challenge: In an emergency, time matters. Limited mobility or slower response times can make it harder to reach phones or get help quickly. Traditional locks, alarms, or security systems may also become difficult to manage.
The solution: Smart technology provides added safety and peace of mind. Voice-activated assistants, medical alert systems, and smart security tools allow older adults to stay connected and supported without extra physical strain. Families also gain reassurance that help is always within reach.
How Decades Can Help
As a trusted construction and facilities partner, Decades understands the unique challenges of aging in place. We provide:
• Consultation and Planning: Identifying which areas of your home could present obstacles and developing a tailored plan.
• ADA-Compliant Modifications: Upgrades that meet accessibility standards while maintaining comfort and style.
• Full-Scale Renovations: Managing every step, from design through completion, to deliver safe and functional spaces.
• Ongoing Support: Applying the same maintenance expertise we provide to facilities, ensuring systems continue to serve you well over time.
Ready to make your home work for you now and in the years ahead?
The team at Decades is here to make aging in place a reality. Your home should evolve with your needs, not limit them. From thoughtful ADA modifications to full-scale renovations, we’ll make sure your home is safe, comfortable, and designed to support your lifestyle for years to come.
