Aging in Place? 1970s Ranch-Style Home Remodeling Advice

Ranch-Style Home Remodeling Makes Aging in Place Easier

Today's seniors are remaining more active as they age. In fact, many seniors in the U.S. are choosing to stay in their homes for as long as possible. For many, staying in the homes they love is more appealing than moving into an assisted living facility or nursing home.

For this demographic, the single-story living a ranch-style home offers is ideal! However, many ranch homes built in the 1960s and 70s were not designed with older homeowners in mind. In this post, we'll explore some ranch-style home remodeling ideas that can make your home safe and comfortable as you grow older.

Single-Story Living For Aging in Place

The problem many seniors encounter when choosing to age in place is that many home styles might not be conducive to it. Multi-story homes with stairs can be problematic for older homeowners with mobility problems. This is why ranch homes are a good choice for those seeking to age in place.

Many ranch-style homes have more open floor plans and feature living areas and bedrooms on the same floor. While some may have basements and stairs, they can still be arranged so that everything the homeowner needs is on a single level.

““Abe has always said that he can make this house as safe to live in, as long as possible, and that’s what he’s doing. It’s worked out very well. We have had other contractors that we’ve had bad experiences with, very bad. But not with Abe. We’ve never had a cross word, not a disagreement. We knew that he could meet our needs.””

— Bonnie Hall, Madison WI

Ranch-style homes allow seniors to maintain a similar quality of life in their homes well into their later years, even as new conditions can develop and make it more difficult for them to get around. Ranch-style home remodeling can make your home more easily meet your specific needs. With a ranch home, there is no need to install lifts to get upstairs, and any modifications you need to make are affordable for most homeowners. Ranch-style homes are easier to clean up and maintain, so you can continue to have friends and family over as you age.

Ranch-Style Home Remodeling Tips For Aging In Place

More seniors are opting to age in place than ever before. This is driven by the rising costs of long-term care and a rapidly growing senior population as the Boomer generation ages. Technology and the availability of services, like home meal delivery and grocery shopping services, make it easier for seniors to remain in their homes independently.

The single-level living ranch-style homes offer can make aging in place safer and more comfortable. Here are some ranch-style home remodeling tips that can help keep homeowners in their homes much longer.

Start With an Assessment

A safety assessment will look at your home's current layout and potential problem areas to develop a plan. Consider how your life might change in terms of mobility. Are your doors wide enough to accept a walker? Is your shower wheelchair accessible? Are your kitchen counters low enough for someone in a wheelchair to prepare a meal? These are all issues a design-build professional can help you to identify and remedy. A home safety assessment can help you to make a long-term plan.

Aging In Place Remodeling Exterior Upgrades

A 1970s ranch is a flexible home style that offers plenty of benefits. That said, elements inside and outside the home should be addressed for aging in place. Here are some exterior considerations.

Create at Least One No Step Entry Into the House

It's a good idea to have a no-step entry to your home. If you are interested in this type of remodel, consider some potential additions. You will probably want a covered entryway to protect you from the weather. Because your entry will be level with the walkway, you'll also want to ensure proper drainage moves water away from the entryway. Once through the door, you'll also need some space for maneuvering. 

Install A No-Slip Walkway to Prevent Injuries

Consider some landscaping upgrades to the entryway. Avoid stones like slate that may become slippery when wet. Consider landscaping with grass walkways instead of stone. Most outdoor falls can be attributed to uneven surfaces and poorly maintained walkways. Keep trees and shrubs well-trimmed and off the walkway. 

Upgrade Exterior Lighting

By age 75, most people require twice as much light as the recommended standard. That's almost four times as much as a 20-year-old. Make sure to upgrade your entry lighting for older eyes. Pathway and stair lighting upgrades can make walkways easier to see and safer to navigate.

Lever Style Entry Door Knobs and Keypad Entry Locks

Lever door knobs are easier to operate. They are easier to grip and do not require a twisting motion. This is helpful for older residents with arthritis or a limited range of motion. In addition, an entry that requires a keycard or a code to be entered (use a keypad with large numbers) can make leaving or entering easier. Consider an automatic lock with a phone app as an option.

Build a Ramp

Wheelchair accessibility is one reason to add a ramp, but it's not the only one. A ramp is a good aging-in-place design. Even if you don't need a walker or wheelchair now, you might in the future. With a good design, a ramp can fit into your space as easily as stairs, provide visual interest, enhance function, and be fun!

Aging In Place Remodeling Interior Upgrades

The ranch-style home lends itself well to aging in place because all of the living areas are on one level. In the 1950s and 60s, ranch homes featured separate spaces for the family room, dining room, and kitchen. In the 1970s, the interior style design often times became semi-open featuring wide doorways between rooms. You have many options available to equip your home for aging in place. Here are some ranch-style home remodeling ideas for aging in place. 

Open Up The Space

If your ranch-style home does not feature an open concept, you can remove walls to open up the space making it easier to move throughout the space. Doors and hallways that are too narrow can be widened for wheelchair and walker access. Light switches can be lowered to accommodate someone in a wheelchair. Also, increase the width of the aisles in the kitchen to accommodate a walker or chair.

Install New Flooring to Prevent Slips, Trips, and Falls

To remain safe in the home as you age, consider replacing the flooring. Balance can become tricky, and comfort and safety are the rules of the day. The ideal material is soft, and floors should be easy to clean. Rubber floors are soft, comfortable, and naturally slip-resistant. Upgrade bathroom and kitchen flooring to slip-resistant tile or porcelain. Either tack down carpets or remove them to prevent tripping hazards.

Remodeling the Bathroom

The bathroom is another area where changes are needed to keep homeowners safer as they age. Either install a walk-in tub. A walk-in tub can function as a sit-down or stand-up shower and a deep soaking tub. Or ditch the tub entirely and opt for a roomy walk-in shower. It's much easier to enter and exit. Make the space large enough to accommodate a walker, and add a bench, grab bars, and a hand-held shower head. 

Replace the toilet and include a raised toilet seat. This can alleviate pain and make it easier for aging adults to use the bathroom. Keep essential items accessible. Use open shelving and look for cabinets with easy-close doors and drawers with d-shaped pulls. Lower the bathroom sink and make sure there is proper knee clearance. Avoid ceramic tile to reduce slipping. 

Remodeling The Kitchen 

There are many upgrades possible in the kitchen to make aging in place safer. Replacing your cabinets with drawers and pull-out shelves makes it easier to see and retrieve items without needing to bend down. Glass doors on upper cabinets can help you see what's in them. 

Look for appliances that offer additional safety features that can be helpful for aging in place. Consider an electric cooktop with level burners for safety, keep controls on the front of the stove, and add a downdraft feature to pull heat away from the user. Adjust the locations of other major appliances. They can be raised or lowered to make them more convenient and safer. Dishwashers raised off the floor can make loading and unloading easier, and ovens can be raised or wall-mounted to avoid bending. 

Prioritize Your Home Remodeling Projects

If you have decided to stay in your home as you age, the sooner you remodel, the better. Projects can be broken down over time. For example, remodel the kitchen first, then widen the doorways and hallways, then update the bathrooms.

If you live in a 1970s ranch-style home, making some simple (and affordable) changes can keep you at home aging in place. Work with a design-build professional familiar with aging-in-place remodeling and universal design concepts. 

If you're considering aging in place and live in the Greater Madison area, call the experts at Degnan Design-Build-Remodel. We can help you to take your home to the next level of comfort, safety, design, and function! Ready to learn more? We're always happy to answer your questions.