Arizona Tribune - Making Your Home Safer for Aging Parents: Accessibility Renovations That Add Value

If larger renovations are on your radar, $10,000 personal loan can provide financing in the form of an upfront lump sum payment, which you repay in fixed monthly installments. That way, you can focus on the project itself rather than worrying about whether each expense is stretching your finances too thin. Here's where to start.

Start with the bathroom

If there's one room that deserves your attention first, it's the bathroom. Wet surfaces and slippery floors can make bathrooms a risk factor for serious falls.

A few changes you might consider include:

• Installing grab bars near the toilet and inside the shower
• Adding a curbless or walk-in shower to eliminate the risk of tripping over a high tub edge
• Swapping in a comfort-height toilet for easier sitting and standing

Improve doors and doorways

Standard doorways can be too narrow for anyone using a walker or wheelchair. Consider widening interior and exterior doorways for better access.

You can also swap round doorknobs for lever-style handles, which are easier to use for anyone with arthritis or reduced grip strength. Changing out hardware is a quicker, more cost-effective project that can still make a big difference.

Improve accessibility in homes with stairs

Stairs can make it tough to get around the house and can pose a major fall risk as homeowners age. Improving accessibility before stairs become a problem can help keep everyone safe.

Here's what to consider:

• Add a stairlift for multi-story homes
• Install a ramp alongside or in place of steps
• Move the bedroom or laundry area to the main floor to eliminate stair use entirely
• At minimum, add sturdy handrails on both sides of every staircase

Brighten the area up

Poor lighting can lead to falls when obstacles are hidden in the dark. That's why well-lit walking paths can help prevent accidents. As a bonus, a bright space feels much more open - which is a major plus if you ever decide to sell the home.

Here are some ideas to improve lighting:

• Add motion-sensor lights in hallways and bathrooms
• Add sconces to boost brightness in stairwells and entryways
• Make sure outdoor paths and entryways are illuminated at night

Smooth out the floors

Uneven surfaces and slippery rugs can be common and overlooked fall hazards. A few simple flooring changes may help reduce some of these risks:

• Ditch the throw rugs that slide or bunch up underfoot
• Replace high-pile carpet with smooth, slip-resistant flooring
• Using nonslip flooring or textured mats in the bathroom and kitchen

Make the kitchen more functional

A full kitchen renovation might not be the most economical option for many families (though it can be great for resale value). But even a few practical tweaks can make your parents' daily lives noticeably easier:

• Lower one section of the countertop for seated meal prep
• Add pull-out shelves to cut down on awkward reaching and bending
• Swap in lever-style or motion-sensor faucets and easy-grip cabinet handles

Which upgrades are worth the investment?

For resale value, ADA accessible bathroom remodels yield a strong 60% average return on investment.Smart home features (like motion sensor lighting) are also affordable upgrades that may be appealing to potential buyers.

For immediate safety, grab bars, ramps, and stairlifts deliver real peace of mind, even if their resale impact is more modest.

You may find a balance between the two - tackling the highest-risk areas first, then chipping away at the rest as your budget allows.

Making it happen on a budget

Helping aging parents stay safe and comfortable in the home they love is one of the most meaningful things a family can do, but the cost can add up quickly.

If you're working with a tight budget, it's worth exploring your financing options, like a personal loan. You may even consider using a vacation loan to cover travel costs when visiting aging parents - freeing up more funds for the renovations.

No matter your approach, balancing safety and budget can provide more comfort and security to your loved ones.

Contact Information:

Name: Nagarameshwar J.
Email: [email protected]
Job Title: Director

SOURCE: OneMain Financial

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

A.Clark--AT