We all want to stay in the homes we love. Whether it's a historic farmhouse in Kennedyville like mine, or a coastal retreat on Kent Island, our homes are filled with memories. But as you get older, the house you bought thirty years ago might not fit the needs of today.
Small obstacles, like a slippery tub, a dim hallway, or a heavy door, can go from minor inconveniences to serious safety hazards.
As a local handyman and an owner of a historic home myself, I know that "Aging in Place" isn't about turning your house into a hospital. It's about making smart, professional adjustments that blend into your decor while providing the independence you deserve.
Here are five essential home mobility and safety improvements every homeowner should consider:
Professional Grab Bar Installation (The Right Way)
The bathroom is statistically the most dangerous room in the house due to slippery surfaces. Most people wait until after a slip to install grab bars, but being proactive is key.
Don't rely on "suction cup" bars. They fail when you need them the most! We anchor professional-grade bars directly into the wall studs. Modern grab bars come in aesthetically pleasing options like nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, and even matte black. They look like high-end towel racks, not medical equipment.
Lever-Style Everything
If you have arthritis or even just a handful of groceries, twisting a round doorknob or a heavy faucet can be a struggle.
Door Hardware: We swap out old knobs for level-style handles. They require zero "grip" strength and can be opened with an elbow if needed.
Kitchen and Bath Faucets: Moving to a single-lever or touch-less faucet makes daily tasks easier and reduces the risk of accidentally leaving the hot water running!
Entryway Transitions and Thresholds
In many of our local Kent and Queen Anne's County homes, there are small lips or thresholds between rooms, especially where carpet meets hardwood or at the front or side door.
Threshold ramps: We can install subtle, rubber or wood transition strips that eliminate the 1-inch trip point.
Double Handrails: If your front porch or interior stairs only have one railing, adding a second one provides much-needed balance for both sides of the body.
Comfort-Height Upgrades
Handheld Showerheads: Adding a sliding-bar shower-head allows you to wash while seated, making the morning routine safer and more relaxing.
The Historic Home Challenge
Living in the Mid-Shore means many of us live in older homes with narrow hallways and steep stairs. These houses have character, but they weren't built with modern mobility in mind. Because I live in a historic home, I specialize in finding solutions that respect your home's architecture. We don't just "bolt things on," we make sure every safety upgrade feels like it belongs.
Not sure where to start? Let's Walk Through Together.
At Price Residential Services, we offer a safety assessment where I'll walk through your home with you and identify the small, high-impact fixes that will keep you safe for years to come.
Serving Kent & Queen Anne's County homeowners. Call Jason at 410-739-7718 or Request a Quote Online today.