How to Design an Accessible Home for Older Family Members

Posted on March 27, 2025

Your home is your sanctuary—your comfort zone, your safe place. With the demographic scale rapidly tilting towards an aging population, the need for secure, accessible homes has never been stronger. Studies show that aging in a place where seniors have spent significant portions of their life journey brings greater well-being and happiness. So, take care to create an accessible and secure home for your aging family members when designing your dream house. Whether you’re undertaking home renovations in Oakville or building a new one, ensure the comfort and independence of seniors with accessible and safe home designs.

Designing an Accessible Abode

accessible bathroom renovations With age, the earlier mindless processes like navigating stairs, reaching for or seeing things, and even hearing can become difficult. An accessible home design can help aging family members be comfortable, safe, and independent in their homes. Contrary to what many think, an accessible home design needn’t be utilitarian. Universal design principles for building or basement renovations in Oakville can be a beautiful blend of aesthetics and practicality. So, plan for current and subsequent accessibility requirements with thoughtful home designs to keep seniors mobile, happy, and safe at home.

Essentials of an Accessible Home for Older Adults

Easily Navigable Layout: Opt for open floor plans with wide hallways and doorways that allow easy movement. Clear pathways to bedrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms with enough room for walkers or wheelchairs ensure mobility and convenience. Plan for at least one bedroom plus an additional bathroom on the ground level for seniors.
Step-Free Entrances, Ramps, & Handrails: If you’ve seniors at home, install ramps at entryways instead of stairs. Handrails along the ramps, hallways, and stairs ensure added support. A momentary slip or loss of balance can be less damaging and hurtful when your loved ones can grab a handrail to prevent a fall. Constructions and home renovations in Oakville should factor in non-slip walkways with wider doors to accommodate walkers and wheelchairs.
Accessible Bathrooms: Bathrooms are notorious for slips and falls. Install handrails or grab bars near the toilet and the shower for balance and extra support when planning bathroom renovations in Oakville. Use anti-slip tiles and try walk-in showers or the new walk-in tubs. Raised toilets with comfortable seating height and lever-style faucets for easier handling are also worth considering.
Easy Use Kitchens: Make kitchens accessible with pull-out shelves to reduce bending and stretching. Lower countertops for easier reach or wheelchairs, and use comfortably accessible appliances like raised-level dishwashers or front-opening ovens. Home and basement renovations in Oakville should definitely consider the above for easy accessibility.
Hi-Tech Home Features: Choosing voice-activated systems for lighting, temperature control, blinds, windows, and security systems makes life simpler for seniors. Smart doorbell systems and security cameras enable remote monitoring and added peace of mind. Adding fall detection technology to the mix ensures timely help and makes your home a safe sanctuary for older members.
Better Lighting: Vision deteriorates with aging, so install bright, adjustable lighting along corridors and throughout the house. Motion-sensor lights in hallways, stairs, and on the way to the bathroom are a must. Reduce harsh glare with soft or diffused lighting.

Safety Features for Seniors

Use anti-slip flooring options in your home and install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms at accessible heights. Easily reachable emergency numbers and medical alert systems are almost mandatory for homes with older family members.

Renovate Your Home with Accessibility Enahncements and Rose Building Group

Designing homes for seniors goes beyond standard safety measures; it’s about enhancing wellness, independence, and quality of life. Partnering with professional contractors guarantees top-tier construction quality while meeting legal compliances, budgets, and timelines. Rose Building Group has been your trusted resource for construction and home renovations in Oakville for over 18 years. We’re dedicated to crafting homes that blend style with practical adaptability. Give your elders the gift of aging gracefully, cocooned in the safety of their homes.

Speak to an Rose Building Group construction expert today!

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What Our Clients Say

Our Oakville project with Rose Group was 3+ months and the overall experience was categorially outstanding. The entire Rose team, including sub-trades are patient, communicative, responsive, and professional. While any major renovation is stressful, Team Rose seem to have a calming way about them, for which we very much appreciated. The project was on time, on budget, and Rose is flexible to make sure you receive value add along the way.

The end result of our project is beyond our expectations, and we have no doubt Rose will be engaged again.

Many thanks to Matt, Neil, Alisha, Matt, Brittany, Andrew, Adam, Chris, and the entire Rose team!!!!

Dan. Oakville, ON

Matthew and his team at Rose Building Group have completed 2 projects for us. A couple of years ago we completed a main floor renovation, which included a complete kitchen reno. Just recently we completed a master bathroom renovation. The work for both projects was impeccable. Really high quality workmanship, and incredible attention to detail.

The quality of the work is truly second to none. What impresses me the most about this company, however, is the people. They are all kind, warm, genuine, and professional. I enjoyed having them in my home, and was very comfortable. It is clear that they are committed to delivering a very high level of customer service and satisfaction through both the work they do, and they way they engage with the client. It's really impressive.

Kim. Burlington, ON

We recently completed our home renovation with Rose Building Group, which included a full renovation of both the interior and exterior of our house. We feel that we could not have picked a better company to do this extensive project. When Matt first came to our house to give us a quote we could tell instantly the professionalism and attention to detail he has when looking at a project. Throughout the entire renovation, Matt was easy to get in touch with, either by phone or email, which made it less daunting on my Wife and I whenever we had questions or wanted to add something. Matt was always upfront whenever issues arose (this was bound to happen during a full renovation of an old house) and always came prepared with possible solutions for us.

His staff always presented themselves as professionals. They were very respectful when speaking to us, and with taking care of our property by cleaning up the interior and exterior before going home every night. We even had neighbours on our street comment on how well our place looked, even during the construction. It was obvious that they are a very hardworking company, dedicated to ensuring a smooth and timely renovation. Rose building group was on schedule, and completed our project by the date discussed by Matt, prior to them beginning.

If you are looking to complete a renovation of your home, rest assured that if you choose Rose Building Group, that you will not be disappointed. You will have a professional company, that will make your home beautiful!

Paul S. Burlington, ON

We decided on Rose Building Group for our main floor renovation that started earlier this year. We have nothing but great things to say about RBG and the team.

At the beginning of the renovation we were provided with a renovation schedule so that we knew what would be happening on each day and we were most impressed at the adherence to this schedule. We were also provided a Scope of Work at the beginning of the project and any changes made along the way were clearly outlined.

Their communication during the renovation process was top notch and someone always got back to us very quickly.

Matthew, Settle and entire team were so professional and Alisha, the selections coordinator, was especially helpful and went out of her way to help with some of the finishing choices.

Other than a few things that were delayed beyond their control, this renovation was completed in a very timely manner and is absolutely beautiful. They made our vision come to fruition and we hope to use them again when we are ready to renovate our main bathroom. They made the process of doing a major renovation relatively low stress and I would highly recommend them to anyone looking to do a major renovation.

Great job RBG- you were all awesome!

Katie & Mike

Positive

Responsiveness, Punctuality, Quality, Professionalism

Katie. Burlington, ON

Matthew and his team were amazing to work with. They recently completed a full basement renovation for my personal home. I work for Baudit Interior design and have worked with several contractors and was very impressed with their professionalism, correspondence, organization and can do attitude. The whole crew worked efficiently and diligently. They were kind, respectful of us and our home and kept a very tidy work space. The quality of the workmanship and attention to detail was impressive. I would and have recommended them for any future projects.

Sylvia. Oakville, ON

Matt has a great company with a team of highly skilled craftsmen. We originally contemplated a bathroom renovation project and expanded the scope to include new staircase, hardwood flooring, crown moulding, recessed led lighting throughout and painting top to bottom. Matt’s experience was extremely helpful in that he was able to guide us in making the right choices upfront to help modernize the look of our home. His detailed approach and project management thru his team ensured we got the results we were looking for and the highest quality or workmanship and finish. We are extremely happy with the results and feel like we are in a brand new home but better. Definitely a company to talk to about renovations.

Additionally, Matt and his team adhered to all COVID protocols at all times which was very reassuring given the scope of the project with most of the work over eight weeks occurring during the third wave while we continued to live and work from our home.

Responsiveness, Quality, Professionalism, Value

Paul. Burlington, ON

Our kitchen renovation is nearing completion and we are so happy with the work completed by Rose Building. Matt and his team were 100% engaged and had ideas to share right from our initial meeting. Everyone has been a pleasure to deal with - they are friendly, clean and their attention to detail and quality is top notch! I highly recommend Rose Building Group and we will have them back for future renovations.

Responsiveness, Punctuality, Quality, Professionalism, Value

Julie. Burlington, ON

Rose Building Group completed a living room renovation for me. Matthew and his team were a pleasure to work with and very professional.

Matthews team were patient with any questions or concerns I had and took the time to explain what was happening during the project and addressed any concerns. They are very professional and CLEAN.

I really enjoyed working with Matt and his team and I am very pleased with the workmanship from the trades they used.

Matts team also took the time to do some repair work for me that had some damage.

I will use Rose Building Group for my next home renovation

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Tile work installation, Install flooring, TV mounting, Paint indoors, General repairs & maintenance, Drywall repair