A person in a brown sweater types on a laptop at a wooden table next to a window with potted plants. The words BLOG POST appear in bold white text across the center.

Banner with a blue gradient background. White text reads, FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA FOR MORE UPDATES: followed by @crbhanational in brown.

Planning Home Renovations for Aging in Place: What to Consider

Many people want to remain in the same home for many years to come, but our homes aren’t always conducive to aging in place.

Fortunately, there are options to help people adapt to changes in their daily lives. Adaptiv Home Renovation is an approach to home modifications for individuals who want to stay in their home for as long as they can, regardless of their age or physical condition.

Qualified Adaptiv Home Specialists are renovators, designers, occupational therapists, and other professionals who have successfully completed the Adaptiv Home Renovation Course developed by the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA). The course provides training for renovation professionals in accessible design and building practices. They’re also trained in client communication, empathy, and privacy considerations. The directory on this page connects homeowners with Qualified Adaptiv Home Specialists in their area.

Accessible bathroom with a glass-enclosed walk-in shower containing a mounted shower seat and grab bar, alongside a toilet with removable armrests.

The above image shows a curbless shower featured in the Adaptiv Home project called "Church Residence", which was completed by Pinnacle Group Renovations by Design Ltd . This project was the inaugural winner of Canada’s First-Ever "Best Adaptiv Home Award" at CHBA's National Awards for Housing Excellence.

Planning Home Renovations for Aging in Place

Qualified Adaptiv Home Specialists, working alongside other professionals, help guide you through planning for a home renovation for aging in place. They’ll work with you to evaluate your home and identify areas that are causing difficulty. Are dishes stored on the counter because cabinets are too high or low? Have you started to find using stairs difficult?

To help plan for a home renovation, make a list of items that need improvement or give you concern. Think about what elements you enjoy about your home’s design, and what changes need to be made to suit your current and future needs. This will help you strike a balance between necessary changes and treasured elements in your home.

When choosing a renovation company, it’ is a good idea to look at examples of projects similar to what you’ are hoping to accomplish and ask for references from past clients. It’s also very important to make sure the company you hire provides a written contract.

RenoMark professionals abide by a strict code of conduct, and agree to always provide a written contract.

Helping an Aging Parent Plan Home Renovations

Adult children often help parents plan and execute renovations for aging in place. Sometimes they have different perspectives on which changes are most needed, but all viewpoints should be taken into consideration. For example, an adult child may be very concerned about safety on the stairway, without knowing that the aging parent struggles daily with tasks in the kitchen.

It’s helpful for all family members to be on the same page before renovations begin by having an open and honest conversation. In addition to discussion what changes will support independence and aging in place, they should also decide who will communicate with the renovation company, how progress and updates will be shared within the family, and what a successful end result should accomplish. It’ is also helpful to have the parent speak to the renovation company about what information is okay to share with family and what is personal information.

In CHBA’s article on The Church Residence, an Adaptiv Home renovation in Calgary, the renovation company, Pinnacle Group Renovations by Design Ltd., worked with the homeowners and their adult child, who lived out of province, using a clear communication plan throughout the project.

Common Adaptiv Home Renovations to Consider

A bathroom vanity with a white countertop, a Lasko heater on the left, and a window with a toilet paper holder mounted below on the right, showcasing an aging in place renovation.

The above image shows a wheelchair friendly sink in the Adaptiv Home project called "Church Residence", which was completed by Pinnacle Group Renovations by Design Ltd . This project was the inaugural winner of Canada’s First-Ever "Best Adaptiv Home Award" at CHBA's National Awards for Housing Excellence.

There are many ways to make a home more accessible and comfortable, and Adaptiv Home Specialists can help identify which are most fitting for the occupants’ current and future needs. Some common home modifications include:

Bathrooms: Curbless showers (with no lip to step over), shower seats, grab bars, space to turn with a walker or wheelchair, and roll-under vanities are just a few ideas to consider for your bathroom. Think about your future needs and choose accordingly.

Kitchens: Slide-out drawers, lower shelving, or pull-down shelving in upper cabinets can all help reduce bending and stretching.

Hardware: Lever-style door handles instead of knobs can be helpful for individuals who have difficulty gripping.

Lighting, Hallways and Stairs: Look at your floor plan. Where are the pinch points or tight turning areas? Are there changes in floor levels? How is the lighting? Are there solid walls that could accommodate a stairlift?

Exteriors: Being able to get in and out of the home is equally important. Railings, no-barrier entries, or ramps can all help.

These are just a few common renovation items. With an Adaptiv Home renovation, you can balance accessible features with finishes to create a welcoming, warm space. See the before-and-after bathroom photos in CHBA’s Church Residence article for an example of how accessibility and design can work together.

Find a Qualified Adaptiv Home Specialist

Every home and homeowner has different needs. Planning ahead and working with a qualified professional can help you identify renovations that make your home more comfortable and accessible, both now and in the future.

Visit chba.ca/adaptiv-home to learn more and find a Qualified Adaptiv Home Specialist who has successfully completed CHBA’s Adaptiv Home Renovation Course.