As you get older, you may begin to notice that your body does not respond and react the same as it once did, especially when you were younger. If you’re a homeowner and living independently, and you’ve recently been diagnosed with a disability at 60, you may be wondering what type of life adjustments you will need to make in order to ensure the quality of your own life day in and day out. Knowing how to alter your home to live with a disability at 60 will allow you to make the most out of the time you have regardless of your physical, emotional, or mental limitations.
Consider a Professional Assessment of Your Property
Anyone who has recently been diagnosed with a disability at 60 should consider a professional assessment of their home and property. Not all disability installations and solutions will look the same, especially if you are working in a tight or limited space. A professional assessment of your property will provide you with valuable insights into what can be changed and updated and which areas of your home are already considered accessible and usable for someone who has been diagnosed with a disability that is similar to your own.
Advantages of a Professional Assessment
Professional contractors who are well-versed in assessments can help to walk you through different areas of your home based on your renovation needs and preferences. Professional assessments will also be extremely thorough, ensuring that all areas of your home have been looked at before coming up with the right solutions. When you have a professional assessment conducted, you can also discover all options you have from de-cluttering to opening up the floor plan or installing your very own chairlift.
Check With Tenant’s Rights as a Disabled Individual
When it comes to living with a disability at 60 as a tenant of an apartment or leased home, you may need to research a bit regarding your rights. Your rights and tenant law may vary based on your location and the type of disability you have recently been given yourself. Checking with tenants’ rights as a disabled individual is not just a way to protect yourself from being taken advantage of, but it’s also a way to ensure that you are fully protected whenever you choose to rent or purchase a new home or apartment of your own.
The Importance of Tenant Rights
As someone who has been diagnosed with a disability, protecting yourself legally and financially at all times is key. Knowing your rights as a tenant can go a long way whether you are leasing an apartment or renting a home with an accessible wheelchair ramp. Understanding the rights you have as a tenant can also help you to navigate the process of purchasing or leasing a new unit that is just right for your disability in the future.
Install a Walk-In Shower and Tub Combo
For those who have recently been diagnosed with a disability at 60, one of the most popular alterations to consider for your home or apartment is installing a walk-in shower and tub combo. For those who struggle physically due to joint paint, Rheumatoid arthritis, or another degenerative disease, walk-in shower and tub combos make it easier than ever to maintain healthy hygiene. Walk-in tubs and showers prevent the prospect of pulling a muscle or finding yourself stuck while trying to bathe.
Create an Open Floor Plan
Depending on where you live and the access you have to maintain and upgrade your home, you may want to consider creating an open floor plan. This solution is ideal if you are the owner of your own home and property already and want to make your space as comfortable and accessible as possible. Open floor plans are optimal for anyone who has a disability, especially if you are over the age of 60 and require additional assistance for mobility purposes. A one-floor open floor plan will allow you to make the most out of the space you have available, regardless of the overall size of your home and the property lot you are on.
De-Clutter Your Home
Taking the time to de-clutter your home is always advisable for anyone who has a disability at 60. Clutter can not only distract you and cause you to lose focus in your own home, but it can also quickly become a health and trip hazard, depending on the amount of clutter you’ve allowed to accumulate in your house. Taking care of the clutter in your home is possible by beginning in one room and making your way through the rest of the house. Enlisting family members, co-workers, and even professional cleaners to help is also a way to expedite the process of de-cluttering when you need it most.
Benefits of De-Cluttering a Home
Spending a bit of time de-cluttering your home will allow you to easily access and use rooms in the house without stepping on personal belongings or furnishings that you no longer want or use. De-cluttering your home will make it much more accessible to all, including yourself if you are struggling with a physical disability at 60. You can also add value and appeal to your home by taking the time to remove all elements of clutter from the entire space.
Install New Flooring
Anyone who has been diagnosed with a disability over the age of 60 understands the importance of excellent mobility and accessibility. If the floors in your home are not suitable for your needs and mobility requirements, it may be time to consider the prospect of installing new flooring, such as wood floors or even carpeting. When you want to install new flooring, take the time to consider the type of flooring you will need based on your mobility needs and the exact disability you have.
Invest in a Chair Lift
If you are living in a home with more than one floor, you may want to consider investing in a chair lift service for the interior of your home. Installing a chair lift inside your home is a great way for you to easily access different floors of your property without feeling physically exhausted or overwhelmed at the prospect. Investing in a chairlift is also a way for you to easily navigate your home in less time.
Upgrade Your Home’s HVAC System
As a homeowner, maintaining and upgrading your HVAC system is key to ensuring comfort and longevity in any home. If you are disabled, but you want to inspect, repair, or replace your HVAC system in any capacity, you can do so by seeking professionals who specialize in HVAC services, such as independent contractors or entire HVAC companies, depending on where you are currently located. Working with professionals in the HVAC industry is also ideal if you are interested in learning more about your current HVAC system and whether it is advisable to upgrade your system in its entirety. HVAC professionals can walk you through each step to determine which systems and solutions are right for your needs and in some cases, even the potential limitations you face each day.
Benefits of Upgrading a Home HVAC System
Whether your home was built in 1910 or 2005, your HVAC system should be inspected and upgraded from time to time. With today’s technologies on the market, HVAC systems are more advanced and sustainable than ever. If you want to invest in HVAC technologies that will help to extend their lifespan and provide energy-efficient results, you can do so by working with a professional who specializes in residential HVAC systems and services.
Install Artificial Landscaping
As a homeowner, maintaining your home’s landscaping is essential to ensure your property does not lose value and that it preserves its appeal at all times. If you are no longer able to tend to your own yard or garden, you may want to consider investing in artificial turf solutions. Astroturf and artificial turfing solutions are optimal for homes that are in difficult ecosystems and for homeowners who are unable to take care of the landscaping in and around their own yards over time.
Advantages of Artificial Landscaping
Investing in artificial landscaping is highly recommended for anyone with a disability over 60 who is also a homeowner interested in preserving their investment’s value. Rather than tending to traditional landscaping needs each year, you can easily ensure the protection of your turf with a quick inspection. Artificial landscaping will help you to preserve the curbside appeal of your home while simultaneously making it much easier for you to manage your property over time, especially if you are someone who is dealing with a new diagnosis of a disability after the age of 60.
Use Ramps and Wall Bars Throughout the Home
Making your home as accessible as possible can make all the difference. If possible, consider investing in wall bars and wheelchair ramps that can be easily used at any time in your home. Depending on the type of disability you have been diagnosed with, wheelchair ramps may be more suitable than wall bars. Consider the disability you have been diagnosed with and the limitations that come along with the disability itself to determine which solutions and integrated equipment will work best for your needs.
Work With Professional Contractors
Anyone who has been diagnosed with a disability at 60 can understand how tricky it can be to complete a home renovation project. If you are interested in a kitchen remodeling project and you are looking for help, you may want to seek out professional contractors, such as a building company or even an asphalt contractor, depending on the work you intend to have done around the house. Working with a professional contractor is a way for you to rest assured knowing that your property is in the hands of a qualified, insured, and licensed builder.
Hire Reputable Electricians for Inspections and Upgrades
Anytime you are working on electrical upgrades, repairs, or replacements around the home, you should only do so with a reputable and certified electrician by your side. Hiring a professional reputable electrician who is licensed and insured will protect you as a homeowner from potential damages, losses, or even injuries that may be sustained while they are working on the job. A qualified, certified, licensed, and insured electrician will also help you to maintain your peace of mind as you work to fix the electrical wiring throughout your home.
Use a Trusted Waste Disposal Service Provider
As a homeowner or property investor, working with a trusted waste removal service provider is key. A waste removal or disposal service will prevent your home and property from becoming overwhelmed with garbage and debris you are unable to throw out yourself. A trusted disposal service can also be scheduled to pick up belongings and waste on a schedule each week or month to make managing your household even easier.
Consider a Storage Solution
After you’ve been diagnosed with a disability at 60 and you are working towards de-cluttering your home, you may want to consider turning to local storage services. Renting a personal storage unit is an affordable alternative solution to managing and maintaining your personal belongings. Investing in a storage unit will allow you to store your prized possessions and personal belongings without putting yourself at risk of tripping over them when navigating your own home.
Why Use a Storage Solution
Storage solutions are optimal for those who have disabilities and are over the age of 60. Storage solutions can be temperature controlled and purchased based on the amount of space you will require to store your furnishings, belongings, and collector’s items. You can also find local storage solutions which can be accessed 24/7, providing you with the ability to handle your items and belongings at any time of day or night.
Anyone who has been diagnosed with a disability at 60 may feel overwhelmed and emotionally and mentally vulnerable. This is especially true for those who have gone most of their lives without any ailments or serious health issues that require attention. The more familiar you become with a potential disability at 60 you are at risk for, the easier it will be for you to prepare yourself on a mental and physical level.