Making accessibility renovations to your home

three people talking
Mark Price
October 17, 2022
linkedin iconfacebook logotwitter logo
three people talking

No matter how much we cherish our abode, it inevitably becomes less functional for our evolving needs as we age. Potential challenges with health and mobility could make some aspects of living in our home difficult in the future. Traditional bathroom and shower setups can pose hazards, and ascending multiple flights of stairs could become difficult. Some retirees decide to sell their home and relocate to a retirement community, but others want to make modifications to their current residence. Your ideal home can still be just that with some modest adjustments, giving you the independence and freedom you've always wanted.

Why should you renovate?

Many elderly people have difficulties maintaining their independence due to health problems. For those who have problems walking or use a wheelchair, a two-story house can provide some challenges. It's possible to slip and fall when entering a wet bathroom. Moving out, though, isn't the only choice you have.

Many modifications and changes can be made to a conventional house to make it considerably more accessible for seniors with accessibility needs, allowing them to continue living in the home they have loved for many years.

Regular accessibility renovations

There is always a simple way to make your home more accessible, no matter what changes may be necessary. The following are examples of the kinds of accessibility enhancements that are frequently requested:

  • Bathroom remodelling - Installing grab bars next to toilets, inside bathtubs and showers, and installing special lighting to make it easier for people with vision impairments to see are all ways to reduce slips and falls. Additionally, special walk-in showers or zero threshold showers can simplify bathing and promote safety while promoting greater freedom.
  • Lower countertops – Standard counters are too high for wheelchair users to use comfortably. You may easily regain access to your kitchens and bathrooms by lowering your countertops.
  • Accessible closets - For anyone with mobility challenges, remodelling your closet by lowering the rods and providing storage options that are simpler to reach is a great solution.
  • New flooring is one of the best ways to make a home handicap accessible. Some flooring can become quite hazardous due to the risk of slipping when wet. Carpets, on the other hand, can be tricky to navigate on if you need a wheelchair or walker.
  • Ramps for wheelchairs are essential because it can be challenging to enter a house with stairs. An entrance ramp can be a huge help if you have mobility issues, whether you use a wheelchair or just have trouble walking.
  • Adjusting the width of door frames is essential if you use a wheelchair and need to get around your home. Even though most door frames aren't broad enough to allow a wheelchair (particularly in older homes), this is a problem that can be easily remedied by re-modelling.
  • If you have hip or knee issues, or if you use a wheelchair for mobility, you may find that ascending and descending stairs is difficult, if not impossible, without the assistance of a stairlift. Despite their high price, stairlifts make getting around the house much simpler for those with mobility issues.
  • Home monitoring gadgets - In recent years, a plethora of useful solutions have become available, such as Help buttons to contact authorities for medical aid in an emergency, and indoor cameras or fall sensor mats to provide an extra sense of security. These devices are simple to set up and can help many elderly people remain independent in their own homes for much longer.

Why are reverse mortgages so common as a method of financing accessibility improvements?

To cover the high expense of making their homes more accessible, many people prefer not to liquidate their assets. Others who are unable to care for themselves at home feel they have no choice but to relocate to a retirement or long-term care facility.

In any case, there's a third possibility to think about. To cover the costs of any home accessibility modifications you may want to make, a Reverse Mortgage is an excellent option.

There is no payment schedule associated with these mortgages. Rather, the debt is settled when the house is sold, or the borrower dies. Reverse mortgages are a great solution for many retirees who don't have a lot of cash on hand and need to make modifications to their homes to make them more accessible.

Renovating a home for handicapped access can be expensive, but it's money well spent if it means the difference between leaving and staying in one's own home.

You may be able to find the care you need for your mobility issues at a long-term care or retirement home, but doing so will require you to leave the house you've loved for a while. However, with the help of a Reverse Mortgage, you can keep your independence and live in your own house by making the essential accessibility modifications and your family can visit you anytime they want.

Share this post
linkedin iconfacebook logotwitter logo
three people talking
Mark Price
Director, Mark Price Mortgages

More Posts

arrow left
arrow right

What is Bad Credit and how does it affect you?

This blog post explores the impact of bad credit on mortgage prospects, highlighting higher interest rates and stricter terms from lenders. It dispels misconceptions by showcasing specialized lenders who cater to individuals with poor credit, providing viable mortgage options. Through personalized assistance and a complimentary credit rebuild guide, the author, a mortgage broker, empowers individuals to navigate the challenges of bad credit and achieve their homeownership goals.
Mark Price
February 28, 2024
family hugging and smiling

5 unexpected uses for Reverse Mortgages

Here 5 unexpected uses for your reverse mortgage.
family hugging and smiling
Mark Price
October 24, 2022
reverse mortgage loan image on computer screen

Taking out a reverse mortgage loan: A guide for 55+ homeowners

A guide on how to take a reverse mortgage for 55+ homeowners.
reverse mortgage loan image on computer screen
Mark Price
October 24, 2022
man paying by credit card reverse mortgage with bad credit

Reverse mortgage with bad credit

Have bad credit but need finance? Here's our guide.
man paying by credit card reverse mortgage with bad credit
Mark Price
October 24, 2022
couple looking at computer

I need to get rid of my Debt!

Need to get rid of your debt? Here's our guide.
couple looking at computer
Mark Price
January 9, 2023
stressed older women

Cash flow issues in retirement

Having cash flow issues in your retirement? Read this...
stressed older women
Mark Price
October 21, 2022
three people talking

Making accessibility renovations to your home

How to make accessibility renovations to your home. The complete guide.
three people talking
Mark Price
October 23, 2022
man thinking about Mortgage stress test Canada

Mortgage stress test Canada

What is Canada dreaded mortgage stress test?
man thinking about Mortgage stress test Canada
Mark Price
October 24, 2022
older couple hugging and happy

In-home care versus long-term care facilities

Is in-home care better than long-term care solutions?
older couple hugging and happy
Mark Price
December 6, 2022
family meeting

Give a living inheritance to your family

Want to give a living inheritance to your family read this.
family meeting
Mark Price
October 24, 2022
older man applying for a reverse mortgage

How to apply for a Reverse Mortgage

How to apply for a reverse mortgage, the complete guide.
older man applying for a reverse mortgage
Mark Price
October 23, 2022
older man holding his hand up

The Home Equity Lender Guarantee

Learn about the home equity lender guarantee.
older man holding his hand up
Mark Price
October 21, 2022
older couple sitting on the sofa

Comparing reverse mortgages to Home Equity Loans, (HELOC) and alternative financing strategies

We compare reverse mortgages to home equity loans, (HELOC) and finding alternating financing strategies.
older couple sitting on the sofa
Mark Price
December 5, 2022
couple happy they read the true facts about reverse mortgages

True facts about reverse mortgages

We discuss the myths vs the facts of reverse mortgages.
couple happy they read the true facts about reverse mortgages
Mark Price
October 21, 2022
couple want to know what is a reverse mortgage canada

What is a Reverse Mortgage?

What is a reverse mortgage? In this post, we explain it all and how it works.
couple want to know what is a reverse mortgage canada
Mark Price
October 23, 2022
© 2022 Axiom Mortgage Solutions
1425 Ellis St, Kelowna, BC V1Y 2A3, Canada