An Official Publication of the 2009-2010
Greater Houston Builders Association
Remodelors Council
Houston Remodeling Guide 2009
An Official Publication of the Greater Houston Builders Assciation RemodelorsTM Council
design for independent living
A typical home can hold hazards for an older adult
ost people don’t think about the hazards a typical home can hold for an older adult, but the
dangers can become frighteningly evident after a senior moves in.
Adult children who move a senior into their homes, or who choose to move into a
senior
’s home, should ensure that the living space is safe.
Security
Issue: Osteoporosis changes the height of some seniors, making it difficult for them to
look through a door
’s peephole.
Fix: Add an additional, lower peephole to your front door at a cost of about $40.
Glare
Issue: Glare from windows in a living or family room also can be a problem for seniors,
whose eyes are more sensitive.
Fix: Mini, micro or Venetian blinds can be purchased for as low as $35 to $50 and
installed for about $35.
Inadequate Storage
Issue: Wonder what to do with all of your elderly loved one’s possessions when they move in with you?
Fix: Turn your attic into a store room for your senior’s possessions by installing ¾-inch plywood sheets to your attic floor beams. Use screws not nails so they can
be removed to get to wiring and plumbing in the future. Cost for a
150-square-foot storage platform: $900.
Falls
Issue: Seniors may be vulnerable to falls, particularly on or near stairs.
Fix: Remove area rugs on and near the top and bottom of stairs. Make sure railings
are on both sides of the stairs. Cost to add railings on one side: between $200
and $300.
Lighting
Issue: Macular Degeneration and other eye issues can make older adults susceptible to
vision problems.
Fix: Recessed lighting—four lights placed about 4 feet from the corners of the ceiling provides
excellent bedroom light for older adults. Cost installed: about $150 per light
fixture or $600 for a bedroom. Remodeling using contrasting colors (i.e. on
stairs) can help with depth perception.
Tripping
Issue: Changes in floor height between a hallway and bedroom door entry can be a
tripping hazard.
Fix: A low-profile hardwood transition strip can be made and installed to help even
out the difference. Cost: About $100.
Burns
Issue: Older adults with mobility issues can be vulnerable to cooking accidents.
Fix: Ovens on the market now open from the side, making it easier for someone in a
wheelchair or with a walker. Cost: between $800 and $1,000.
Scalding
Issue: Hot water from older faucets and valves in the shower and tub could scald a
senior with neuropathy. Too cold and it can startle a senior, leading to a fall
or other injury.
Fix: A device in newer faucets controls the temperature and equalizes pressure when
someone is showering and another family member flushes the toilet. Cost to
replace older faucets and valves: about $500. Add another $500 if tile work and
repairs are required.
Slick Surfaces
Issue: Bathrooms are the most dangerous rooms in the house because of slick surfaces
that can contribute to falls.
Fix: Install grab bars. Very attractive decorative grab bars are available at home
improvement stores for about $50-$75 each. Cost to install, including the bar,
about $200.
Arthritis
Issue: Older adults with arthritis often cannot easily open round door knobs or
knob-type plumbing fixtures.
Fix: Put lever handles on interior doors and in and out of the house. If you don’t want to replace the entire door knob, lever door knob adapters cost $10 to $20
and can be purchased at online specialty equipment companies.
Entry Hazards
Issue: Seniors coming to the front door with groceries or other packages may be at risk
of dropping their merchandise or, even worse, falling.
Fix: Family members or a contractor can construct a shelf on the outside of the house
on which to set keys and packages.
Shelves and brackets can be purchased at home improvement stores. Cost for
materials and installation, about $75.
Accessible master bathroom remodel by Gryphon Builders offers comfort with the
feel of the outdoors. The open shower was designed with curved walls made of stacked stone, pebble flooring and elite fixtures. The vanities were handmade of select maple and marble countertops to continue the natural essence in the room. A Jacuzzi bath with custom-built base was designed to allow for comfort, relaxation and balance. 2008 Star Award Finalist
feel of the outdoors. The open shower was designed with curved walls made of stacked stone, pebble flooring and elite fixtures. The vanities were handmade of select maple and marble countertops to continue the natural essence in the room. A Jacuzzi bath with custom-built base was designed to allow for comfort, relaxation and balance. 2008 Star Award Finalist
Kitchen Tasks
Issue: Kneading bread and other kitchen tasks that might require sitting are more
difficult for seniors in wheelchairs.
Fix: A rolling island can be safer and more convenient. Cost: about $500.
Carpets
Issue: Thick family room carpet can be a safety hazard for some seniors.
Fix: A low-pile commercial grade carpet is cheaper than conventional carpet, is
easier to keep clean and safer for walkers and wheelchairs. Cost: $20/square
yard
—half the cost of regular carpet and pad.
Doors
Issue: Hinged closet doors may be more difficult for seniors to navigate around and
take up more space.
Fix: Replace hinged closet doors with bi-fold doors that fold back onto the wall for
full access, and add a light to the closet for an estimated cost of $500.
911 Emergency
Issue: Could your senior loved one get help fast in an emergency if he or she were home
alone?
Fix: A telephone is available that prompts the numbers plaque on your house to flash
when a caller dials 911 so the ambulance can more easily locate a house. Cost:
about $450 installed.
Dan Bawden, JD, CGR, GMB, CAPS
Legal Eagle Contractors
The dangers become frighteningly
evident after a senior moves in.
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