Has Your House Become the Enemy?
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If people are unprepared, there can come a time when the house becomes the enemy! The steps we used to take with ease, we can no longer navigate. When people are aging, it’s a good idea to pay attention to those signals that say, “time to make some changes.” Here’s the story of one couple who saw the signs and, instead of buying a time share in the land of denial, decided to act.
Jim and Sue Hudson, originally from the St. Paul, MN and Milwaukee, WI, came to the West Coast to pursue Jim’s acting career. Jim’s talent led him to performances in Die Hard 2 (1990), Joe Versus the Volcano (1990), and Bachelor Party (1984), as well as in sitcoms and commercials. Likewise, Sue’s career as a technical writer kept her busy.
The couple also enjoyed their social life with a fun dinner group. However, as time went by, older friends in that group started to experience illnesses and injuries, and two of the men died suddenly in a single summer. Those events would immediately change life as they knew it for those involved. They realized that staying functional was a key component that many people just don’t give much thought to until someone falls, gets sick, or has surgery.
Sue narrowly escaped a life-changing moment herself when, while home alone one day, she fell down several steps, hit her head on a table and lost consciousness for a few moments. She wasn’t seriously hurt, but later reflected that she fell simply because she was trying to do too many things at once. Thinking about what she was going to do next, she lost her footing on stairs she had always maneuvered with ease.
These experiences made Sue and Jim realize they needed to make some changes while they still could. They decided to sell their beloved home of 40 years and look for a single-story house in the same community. They chose a single-level house with an open layout and a small backyard.
The Bathroom Remodel
The Hudsons decided they would immediately remodel the master bathroom to make it accessible for any physical challenges that the future might present. They began a long search for a contractor who combined an understanding of accessible design with the hands-on construction expertise required to deliver a functional, beautiful result. The magic started when they saw a Gamburd (now Lifeway Mobility) truck on the freeway and checked into Gamburd’s licensing and reviews.
Visiting the Showroom
The Hudsons decided to visit the Gamburd showroom and were impressed before they ever got inside the door! They remember seeing a Gamburd employee having his lunch outside; when he saw the Hudsons arrive, he jumped up, leaving his lunch, to walk them into the showroom, introduce them to the team, and make sure they were all set for a wonderful tour! They were able to ride, try, and experience firsthand the quality products and the staff dedicated to helping families make their homes more accessible. The visit to the showroom helped them to understand all the possibilities that were available to them.
The next step they took was to schedule a consultant to come to their home, take measurements and offer ideas for solutions. The Hudsons appreciated the fact that there was no pitch and no pressure, and they were impressed with not only the knowledge and experience of the staff but the way they worked together, respectful of one another and of the Hudson’s home. Another big plus in Sue’s eyes: all the construction workers were Gamburd employees and not individual contractors to whom work was outsourced. Sue and Jim chose tile, cabinets, countertops, and fixtures for the remodel, with Gamburd advice regarding design, materials and construction considerations.
The Bathroom Before Remodeling
The bathroom was too small to be comfortable, with the toilet enclosed in a small closet. Zip walls were used to contain dust during the remodel.
The Bathroom After Remodeling
The master bathroom was opened up; a tub that was too small was removed to give the Hudsons more room. An accessible, barrier-free shower was installed with a beautiful folding, wall-mounted teak bench and other modifications for optimal height, comfort, and safety. Schluter products were used to crate a maintenance-free, watertight shower.
A pony wall was also added around the toilet, and new flooring, countertops, cabinets & double vanity medicine cabinets, and light fixtures were installed. Grab barswere put in at the toilet and in the shower area.
The Kitchen Remodel
The Hudsons also asked Gamburd to update their kitchen as part of the overall project. Kitchen elements included a quartzite island and countertops and new kitchen floor tile. Gamburd also retiled the small front entryway and laundry room floors to match the kitchen.
Jim and Sue felt that everything was done professionally from the beginning. They raved about the care the team took in determining the placement of walls, lights, cabinets, grab bars and the shower bench to be certain that all modifications were well located and at the best height for their comfort and safety.
The Hudsons Offered These Words of Advice:
- We may all have been multitaskers in our younger years, but as we age, make a concerted effort to only do one thing at a time. That in itself can prevent home accidents!
- Look critically at your house and start to explore how it can be made safer and more accessible.
- Don’t wait to make changes. Act while you still have the ability to plan carefully. If you wait for an emergency to thrust change upon you, you may be forced to choose quickly from limited options. Decide for yourself while you have the opportunity to be in control of the choices you have.
- Figure out what you want and what you can do within your financial limitations. Functional, attractive modifications can be modest or elaborate, with prices to match. Moving is hard work and costs money, but a smaller home with lower utility and maintenance costs may be a good decision in the long run.
A home is supposed to be a place of refuge, providing an atmosphere of rest and rejuvenation. But if your house has become your enemy, perhaps it’s the season to re-evaluate your priorities and make some home modifications that would suit your needs.