Aging-in-Place & Accessibility Remodels in Bend

Start with an assessment, not a product

Walk through a normal day: getting out of bed at night, the bathroom, the shower, the kitchen, laundry, getting in and out of the car and the front door in January. Note every step, reach, low light and slippery spot. If there is a specific health condition, an occupational therapist's home assessment is worth it before any remodel.

Then sort what you find into what can be done this month and what belongs in a remodel.

Quick wins (days, not months)

The bathroom: where most of the money and risk is

• Curbless (zero-entry) shower in place of a tub or stepped shower. The floor needs to slope correctly and be fully waterproofed; this is not a job for a rushed crew.
• Comfort-height toilet and space beside it for a caregiver or transfer.
• Wall blocking everywhere you might ever want a grab bar.
• Slip-resistant tile and a linear drain to keep water from running out of the shower.
• A wider doorway (32 inches clear or more), or a pocket or barn door that does not swing into the room.
• Sink with knee space if a wheelchair or seated use is likely.
• Thermostatic or pressure-balanced valves to prevent scalding.

For full bathroom remodel options, see our Bend bathroom remodel guide.

Main-floor living in a two-story Bend home

A lot of Bend homes built in the last 30 years put every bedroom upstairs. Options, from least to most work:

1. Stair lift on the existing staircase. Fast and reversible.
2. Convert a main-floor den or office into a bedroom, ideally near a bathroom you can upgrade.
3. Add a bathroom to the main floor in a closet, laundry or part of the garage.
4. Add a main-floor primary suite. See our home additions guide.
5. Convert the garage into a suite or a separate unit for a parent or caregiver. See garage conversions and ADUs.
6. Home elevator if the layout allows. Expensive, but sometimes cheaper than moving.

Bend winters: the entry is a safety issue

Ice is a real fall risk here. Most of the danger is between the car and the front door.

• Cover the entry so snow and meltwater do not refreeze on the steps. See our porch and patio cover guide.
• Fix where roof water lands. Downspouts and drips that dump onto walkways create ice sheets every night.
• A no-step entry from the garage or front, with a ramp or graded walkway, makes life easier with walkers, wheelchairs and strollers.
• Snow removal plan. Line up help before the first storm. See our snow removal guide.
• Good exterior lighting on steps and paths for short winter days.