Paragon Builders articles are back. We had a great year thanks to you all. Drawing plans, remodels, and new homes kept us busy and we just needed a break. But we are back and ready to work and write. This article is close to my heart. Is your home set up for a caregiver, or do you need to remodel or build for a caregiver? A Caregiver is someone who looks after somone else.
There are different ways to look at your home as a caregiver, new home or remodel. Here are a few questions. Are you building new to care for someone or adding on to a home? Is the current home already handicap accessible?
If you already have a home, but need to add on, will the addition be for the caregiver or the person being cared for? If you have a home that is already handicap accessible and you are just adding another wing, this is much easier. If the house already has full living quarters, you might just need to add another wing that will consist of a bedroom and bath. You can add a loft or additional room if there is space or a need. The caregiver might want an office or additional bedroom in their quarters. The existing house will accommodate both the caregiver and the person being cared for with the kitchen, den, and a possible utility room, and/or bedroom. To do this, you might be looking at spending about $100,000 for an additional wing. Of course this estimate could be more or less, it all depends on what goes into this new wing. If you are adding the additional wing (with a bedroom, closet, and bath) to take care of someone, make sure you add the handicap features in the door ways, bathrooms, bedrooms, etc.
If you are going to build a new home for a person and a caregiver, you might want to consider these items. First you want both parties to be comfortable, so you might want two master suites. Opposite sides of the house can give you some privacy. Each master suite will consist of a master bedroom, closet, and master bath. Definitely create one of the master suites to be handicap accessible. The other master suite does not need all the handicap items. But, I would recommend all wide doorways for sure. You can then have common areas, like the kitchen, dining room, family room, utility room, maybe a spare bedroom and additional bathroom. Make sure the rest of the house has handicap features as well. You will need ramps and hand rails on porches. For more details on building handicap accessible, let me know, we have prior articles and homes with these features.
We never know when the time might come to be a caregiver or add a caregiver. If it does, you will need a home with handicap features or maybe a separate wing for a caregiver. If you are building, you just might want to add some of the basics. If you are thinking about remodeling, it never hurts to add them when you can. Having handicap features is not just for the elder, it can be for the young too. Anyone in a wheelchair will need bigger door ways, walk in showers, ramps and more. Talk to your builder when planning, they always have some good ideas up their sleeves.
For ALL Your Real Estate and Building needs or questions, call Debbie at (830) 833-4249 / (713)818-6658 or debbie@vallonerealestate.net
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