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Aging in place design

Stay in the home you’ve built your life in

There are plenty of reasons why you might want to stay in your home as you get older. Maybe mortgage rates and purchase prices make moving feel impossible. Maybe you have a strong preference to stay independent through the years. Or maybe you’re just drawn to multigenerational living, where you get to stay at home among your kids and grandkids, among your loved ones.

Whatever your reason may be, there are ways to modify your home so you can live there comfortably for years and years.

What is aging in place design?

Aging in place design is the practice of making thoughtful modifications to your home, so you can stay there safely and comfortably as your needs change over time. It’s a close cousin of “universal design,” which just refers to a space that works for everyone, regardless of their age, size, or mobility.

The two go hand in hand. Making a home more comfortable for someone older doesn’t suddenly make it awful for everybody else. Quite the opposite is true. A wider doorway can accommodate a grandparent using a walker and a parent moving their kids in and out of the house in a stroller. A curbless shower is safer for someone recovering from knee surgery and easier for everybody else to step into.

At Westhaven Architects, we believe that good design shouldn’t single anybody out. It should improve the space for all. Which means it increases your home’s desirability—and, therefore, its value.

What do aging in place remodeling services look like?

Aging in place remodeling services can encompass so many things. But the focus is always on making changes tailored to what you (or your parent) actually need from the home.

  • Single-floor Living
  • Lighting & Visibility
  • Wheelchair Accessibility
  • Multigenerational Design
  • Future Proofing
  • Rehabilitation Recovery
  • Fall Prevention
  • Emergency Preparedness

These are just a few examples of what the team at Westhaven Architects might recommend and/or design for you:

  • Grab bars
  • Comfort-height toilets
  • Curbless showers
  • Wider doorways
  • Accessible counter heights
  • Lever-style door handles
  • Wider hallways
  • Better task and ambient lighting
  • Single-floor primary suites
  • Ramps
  • Accessible pathways

A note from Nathan, Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist

I’ve spent the last 15-plus years as a licensed architect. For much of it, I worked on commercial projects around the world, where accessibility standards are built into the code. Most homes built between the postwar boom and the early 2000s, however, weren’t designed with accessible or adaptable details in mind. Doorways are narrow because nobody was thinking about walkers or wheelchairs back then. Bathrooms can be tight if builders try to max out other spaces in the home.

I became a certified aging in place specialist (CAPS) because I kept seeing that gap, the one between what homeowners needed and what was getting built for them. Good contractors are skilled builders. But they build to what’s drawn and specified. As an architect who’s done this kind of work for years, I ask the right questions up front so your renovations actually work for you long-term.

It would be my honor to help you figure these details out. I can work with homeowners directly, and I can also work with adult children helping a parent think through what’s next. Either is a great place to start.

Get in touch

Contractors & Realtors: If you’d like to partner up or refer clients, get in touch.

How we can work together

Our aging in place services are à la carte. You can start with step 1 and stop there, or bring us all the way through full architectural design and construction oversight.

  • A 30-minute consultation (free)

    This is a getting-to-know-each-other call that can take place over the phone or on Zoom.

  • An on-site assessment with written recommendations ($500)

    We’ll visit your home and walk through it with you, documenting any accessibility issues or opportunities to make your space safer and more comfortable. Then we’ll share a follow-up report with specific suggestions on what you could change and why, some visual examples, and any other ideas that could improve your space.

  • Full architectural design (pricing tailored to your project scope)

    If you want to move forward with renovations, we’ll produce detailed drawings and specifications that a contractor can build from. We also can coordinate construction with weekly site visits.

If you’re ready to talk, contact our team. We’d love to hear more about what you’re thinking.

Frequently asked questions

I’m interested in hiring you on behalf of my parent, but I don't live near them. Can I still be involved in the process?

Of course. We’re happy to work with families spread across the country. Adult children can join the free consultation by Zoom, sit in on the on-site assessment remotely, and read through the written recommendations with their parent. We can also communicate directly with you throughout the design and construction phases if your parent prefers that, or just loop you in on key decisions. Whatever works for your family.

Is this only for people already experiencing mobility issues?

No, not at all. Planning ahead and making changes before they’re necessary is a thoughtful step. It’s almost always easier and less disruptive to modify your home before your needs become urgent. And it won’t make your home feel cold or clinical, either. Aging in place design modifications can (and should) make your living space feel much more comfortable and pleasant to move around in, no matter your current needs.

Why shouldn’t I just hire a contractor?

Contractors are skilled at building. But they’re not trained to assess accessibility needs or design for them. Without an architect involved, you might end up with modifications installed with poor detailing or the wrong specs, so they don’t quite work the way they should. We bridge the gap between what you need and what a contractor can build, providing detailed drawings and specs they can follow precisely.

How is this different from a general home renovation?

Aging in place design requires a specific technical knowledge set that goes beyond standard residential renovation. Nathan brings more than 15 years of residential and commercial architecture experience to every project. And that includes deep familiarity with accessibility standards as well as hands-on practical knowledge.

Will this devalue my home?

Done right, aging in place modifications won’t hurt your home’s value. In many cases, they increase it! Features like wider doorways, better lighting, and accessible bathrooms are helpful at any age and increasingly appealing to a broad range of buyers. We work with universal design principles in mind, so every update feels intentional rather than medical.

Do I need to commit to a full renovation?

Not at all. Some people start with a one-time home assessment and report. They might call us a couple of years later once they’re ready to proceed with full architectural services. Others bring us in immediately to develop full design documentation for a contractor or to oversee construction. You let us know how much support you want.

Are there financial assistance programs available?

Some homeowners might qualify for county loans or senior home renovation programs that help offset the cost of accessibility improvements. We can definitely point you toward resources, but we’re not financial advisors, so we recommend confirming eligibility directly with the relevant programs.