Of all the modifications to make for successful aging in place in your home, the kitchen retrofit is probably the most extensive and potentially costly. Most homeowners will only undertake a kitchen remodel once or twice, which means you may need to think about retrofits for aging in place long before you reach retirement age.
Many of us will need to consider making wheelchair retrofits to our homes if we plan to remain in them as we age. According to a 2014 U.S. Census Bureau report, about 10 million people – 66.5 percent of the country’s population over age 65 – have difficulty walking. The number climbs with age, and
To kick off our aging in place series, I want to talk about housewide retrofits for aging in place– those items you’ll want to take care of around your entire home to make it ready for a time when you or a family member may have physical disabilities associated with aging. This week, we’ll cover
Aging in place is poised to become the new black. The U.S. Census Bureau projects that by 2030, one in every five people in our country will be retirement age. Increasingly, older Americans say they prefer to stay in their homes as they age–known as “aging in place” – rather than relocating to retirement communities
Every three years, the California Energy Commission (CEC), which is responsible for developing the state’s energy efficiency standards, updates regulations for buildings in California. Changes made in 2019, which took effect January 1, 2020, bring some big changes in the requirements for new construction. Most New Homes Must Have Solar Systems California is the first
Since I last wrote about accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in 2018, the California legislature has enacted new laws intended to make it even easier for property owners to build these useful units. Quick Refresher on ADUs An ADU is a small, separate housing unit built as an addition to a main home on a lot
If you, like me, are a certain age, smoke curling from chimneys and the earthy smell of woodsmoke from fireplaces and stoves represent the glories of winter. Unfortunately, they also represent a threat to health and safety, which is why it may be time for all of us to think about replacing our woodburning fireplaces
This post first ran in 2016. How much construction waste did your last remodeling project generate? Chances are, it was more than necessary. According to California's 2008 Statewide Waste Characterization Study, 29 percent of the state's solid waste stream comes from the "Inerts and Other" category, which includes construction and demolition. But with a little planning,
This post first ran in 2017. You recycle, you compost, you turn off lights when you’re not using them, but have you ever wondered what else you can do to improve your home’s “green quotient?” One way to make sure you’re doing everything you can to save energy and water and protect our environment is
If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area or follow housing and real estate news, you know that the Bay Area Housing crisis continues to put the crunch on low- and middle-income families and threatens to stifle economic growth in the region. The causes are multifactorial, with economic and demographic issues contributing to the
