"Aging in Place" Conversion

When looking to make your home more user-friendly for walkers, wheelchairs or scooters, several things need to be considered.

The easy but time-consuming part is rearranging furniture, securing loose rugs and/or flooring, replacing thick carpeting or rough ceramic tiles, replacing light switches with rocker switches and door handles with lever handles, installing grab bars, etc.

In most homes, doorways and hallways may need to be widened, ramps may need to be installed, bathrooms and kitchens may need to be converted, and a stair lift may be necessary.

There are companies that do all of this for you. In almost every case, converting your home is far less expensive than moving into an Assisted Living Community.

When considering any type of contractor, it is always advisable to call at least six of their references. Ask for details about the experience each had with the contractor. If it is all good, continue by saying, "Please tell me of any little problem you may have had with this person." This last question tells the person called that it is okay to talk about any minor problems, which may or may not be minor to you.

If money is an issue, you may want to investigate obtaining a Reverse Mortgage, especially if you need some home improvements to be able to stay in your home as long as possible.

As always, call the Better Business Bureau to make sure there have been no reported complaints. (This number is located in the Quick Guide of your SRD). Depending on the job, it is advisable to ask to see certification that the contractor is bonded and insured.