Deciding to Remodel or Buy New, More Accessible Home
One of my support group members is a civil engineer. When her husband was diagnosed with IBM, they needed to decide whether to try to remodel their two-story home or if they would instead have a new home built to meet their needs. After getting bids for a wide variety of improvements, some listed here, they found it would cost the same or maybe slightly less expensive to have a home built to suit. Our member gave a presentation in a recent online support group meeting, and I wanted to share some of what I learned with you here today.
People with IBM progress at different rates, but since no cure is known, most of us will eventually need to improve the accessibility and comfort of our homes. Waiting for each new mobility issue to arise before making changes is not necessarily a good method (unless dollars are a serious issue), as it makes life in your home difficult until the work is done, and getting out of the way of contractors might also be difficult. So, planning is the best idea, even though we can’t be sure what issues we will eventually have. Thankfully, there is consensus on the common mobility and accessibility issues throughout the disease process, which we can use to inform our choices. A term that speaks to a house lasting through a lifetime - future proof - hits the nail on the head.
One of the most critical takeaways from the presentation is that it is imperative to find an accessibility specialist when designing your remodel or new build, since most designers and contractors won’t be experienced enough to provide what you need. Nonprofits in communities can often help here, too, such as Ability360 in Phoenix, which has a Home Modifications program. These specialists will measure out your home spaces, learn about the likely needs of your disease as it progressive, and draw up a plan to talk through with you to make sure you get what you need (and want).
Getting bids to make the changes you’ll need in the future is a great place to start. This will help you determine whether staying in your home or looking for a new one will be more financially advantageous. The United Disability Services Foundation (UDSF) website has a list of specifications you’ll want to keep in mind when getting your bids, which you can see here.
Some additional ideas that came up in our meeting are below.
Since you don’t know what wheelchair you will eventually buy, think of the widest when making decisions.
Your doorbell should be chair height (48”) to accommodate visitors using mobility devices. Using a doorbell with video and audio capabilities can prevent you from answering the door when you do not wish to interact with the person on the other side.
Your mailbox should be chair height and have an easy-to-grasp handle.
Don’t forget about ceiling strengthening to manage the possibility of future pulley systems.
Having many electrical outlets is always helpful; making them usable to recharge a chair is critical.
In the meantime, small changes can help, such as remote controls for fans, lights, and other items; grab bars; motion-sensing lighting; appropriate door knobs and faucets; easy drawer pulls; and sliding shelves, to mention just a few. (See some tips and tricks I’ve mentioned in prior posts HERE, HERE, and HERE.) When you do start thinking about bigger changes, it might be a good idea to rent a wheelchair and try to use it in your house. You’ll discover pretty quickly where changes need to be made.
If you make changes to your home, ensure that if you decide to sell in the future, your agent understands the marketability of a future-proof or accessible home. If you can get back some of your investment in the sale, that would certainly be welcome.
Let us know what you’ve done in your house to accommodate your changing needs better, or if you’ve done some remodeling or purchased a new home as your disease progresses. Sharing our experiences and resources can help us all as we navigate IBM. Thanks! See you next time.
“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
We have a bookshop store HERE where you can find books Linda has read or that look helpful for folks dealing with chronic diseases of various kinds. You may see links to those books in the text of our blog posts. We do get a small financial reward if you purchase a book through the shop, but the price to you is the same. It also helps support independent booksellers. Thanks!
This blog post is based on personal experiences and is not meant to provide medical advice.
Always consult your healthcare professional for personalized guidance on your health journey.
