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Home Modification and Home Design

So, part of your retirement plan includes remaining in the home you've lived in for the past 30 years. You know and love your community and your neighbors, you raised your family in this house, the familiarity of this environment is important to you, and this is where you want to stay. Modifications to your home can help you do just that.

Home modifications adapt living spaces to meet the needs of people with physical limitations so they may live independently and safely. Modifications can range from something as simple as replacing cabinet doorknobs with pull handles to installing wheelchair ramps. Think of this as customizing your home-- making changes that allow you to age with dignity.

Or, perhaps you've decided you want to move from your home of 30 years. Your home isn't as manageable as it once was, your kids are grown and the house is too large, and you want to build the place of your dreams. This dream can become a reality and accommodate your aging, thanks to today's technology and principles of what is known as "universal design."

Universal design features are usually built into a home when the first blueprints or architectural plans are drawn. These features include appliances, fixtures, and floor plans that are easy for all people to use, flexible enough so that they can be adapted for special needs, sturdy and reliable, and functional with a minimum of effort and understanding of the mechanisms involved.

Whether modifying your existing home or building your retirement home, it's important to plan for your aging. Planning can make such a positive difference in how you live and manage your day-to-day life.

For more information on home modification and home design:

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