This past week my focus has been on working with a lovely woman who is looking for a home in Laguna Woods Village. It’s a 55+ community in South Orange County, California. We’ve had the opportunity to look at many homes together. Some have had no improvements since the time they were built in the late 1970’s. But, a few of the ones we looked at had been renovated. The homes we set our sites on were all single level with ground level entry. So, it would stand to reason that these homes would be great for seniors who had difficulty with steps or walking. One might even assume that prospective buyers could be in wheelchairs or need the use of a motorized scooter for mobility.It was interesting to see that some of the “improvements” that had been made to the properties we looked at actually detracted from their livability. Instead of making the homes more comfortable, some of the improvements actually created hazards for seniors.
We saw one home that had just installed lovely ceramic tile in the entry, hallways and bathrooms and a very thick shag carpet with heavy padding in the living areas. Thick carpets can cause tripping hazards, are not walker friendly, and can make moving furniture around nearly impossible. The ceramic tile walkways in this home were a lovely pattern, however, the pattern of small six inch tiles could prove more difficult to move across than a floor with larger tiles or perhaps wood flooring.
Another improvement was new cabinets in kitchens and bathrooms. While aesthetically pleasing, cabinets and drawers that have no handles can be difficult for arthritic hands to open and close. The hardware needs to be chosen with care to allow the hands to slide in and out of the pulls easily. Generally, pulls work better than knobs as knobs can be more difficult for seniors to grip as they may lose strength in their hands.
One of the homes we saw had a lovely new stall shower. While it was very pretty, it wasn’t as practical as it might have been. There was room to make a larger shower that with a small bench. The shower head was one of the new 6 inch types. Although that spa feeling is fun, a shower wand is so much more practical. The etched glass door was lovely, but a better choice would be plastic or clear Plexiglas. It would not have added a lot to the cost to make it a more efficient shower for a senior to use.
We also noted that there were new toilets in some of the bathrooms. While the low profile toilets are trendy and a little more attractive, it’s more practical for seniors to opt for a taller version with grab bars alongside for ease of use and safety.
When making improvements to a senior’s home, it’s important to understand that while the need for accessible showers, toilets and tubs may not be an issue today, it could be a serious need tomorrow. When considering spending money to make improvements it is wise to evaluate future needs and not just cosmetic and aesthetic changes. Consult an expert who can guide you in making wise decisions when making your senior home improvement plans.
Another article of interest is Great Resource For Seniors and People With Disabilities for some great information and excellent resources to assist you in making any changes to your senior home.
By Marlene Bridges, REALTOR®
Seniors Real Estate Specialist®
Certified Residential Specialist®
Real Estate and Home Sales, South Orange County California – Search for homes for sale in Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Laguna Beach, Rancho Santa Margarita, Lake Forest, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo at www.LiveTheCaliforniaDream.com
Orange County Senior Lifestyles 