As you approach retirement, it’s natural for your priorities and lifestyle to shift, especially when it comes to your home. Perhaps you’re dreaming of giving your interiors a refresh, implementing new technology, or simply want to make your home easier to maintain. Whatever your vision entails, the idea of transforming your current home into your forever home can be exciting—especially if you’re one of the many seniors hoping to take advantage of the numerous benefits of “aging in place.”
In our “Home Sweet Home” blog series, we’re traveling room by room to address age-related home modifications and improvements—and how home equity solutions can help fund them. In this installment, we’re heading to the kitchen.
Finding Fitting Upgrades for Your Kitchen
Aptly nicknamed “the heart of the home,” the kitchen is one of the most utilized and loved rooms in the house. Whether you’re preparing meals, grabbing a quick cup of coffee, or lending a hand to a family member, chances are you spend a good amount of time there each day.
That’s why it’s especially important to make sure your kitchen is properly outfitted for durability, safety, and ease of use as you age. The good news? You don’t need a complete remodel in order to make a meaningful impact. Even small changes can go a long way toward making your kitchen better suited for your needs—so you can continue to live in your home with comfort and confidence.
From adding a few helpful gadgets to considering more significant upgrades, there are plenty of options to explore.
7 Ways to Improve Safety and Comfort
Here are seven ways you can make your kitchen more aging-friendly in the long term, without sacrificing what works best for you and your home today.
- Lay Floor Pads: Hard floors may be easy to clean, but they can also be slippery and unforgiving. Placing anti-fatigue mats or rubber-backed rugs in front of high-use areas—like the sink, stove, or prep counter—can help reduce the risk of slips while providing support for your joints and back. Just be sure any mats or pads you use have flat edges and are secured in place to prevent them from becoming a tripping hazard.
- Reorganize Your Cabinets: Bending or stretching for kitchen essentials can become more difficult (and dangerous) over time. Rearranging your storage can make a big difference in keeping cooking tasks manageable.2 It’s a good idea to keep your most-used dishes, spices, cookware, and pantry items on lower shelves—ideally between waist and shoulder height. Pull-out drawers, lazy Susans, and tiered organizers can make access easier and help you avoid unnecessary strain. And always get some help with the heavier lifts!
- Embrace Energy Efficiency: Energy-efficient appliances with smart technology do more than save on utility bills (though they do this too!)—they also offer features that can enhance safety and convenience. Look for ovens with front-mounted controls and automatic shutoff, induction cooktops that stay cool to the touch, or refrigerators with easy-to-open doors and ample lighting inside. Many of today’s smart appliances can also be controlled remotely by voice or app, making kitchen tasks easier to manage from anywhere.
- Implement Bright Lighting: Proper lighting is essential for safe cooking and cleanup. A layered approach—similar to your living room—works well here too. Bright, shadow-free overhead lights are key, but don’t overlook under-cabinet navigation in early morning or evening hours when you want to avoid fumbling for the light switch!
- Reconsider Your Kitchen Tools: There is an impressive array of options available today for anyone facing constrained mobility, particularly for those struggling with hand strength concerns. Tools with ergonomic handles, easy-grip jar openers, one-handed cutting boards, and rocker knives are great options for reducing strain on your hands and wrists. Even lightweight pots and pans or electric can openers can make meal prep feel more manageable and enjoyable—without giving up your independence in the kitchen.
- Amplify Your Accessibility: Implementing a few changes can make a big difference in day-to-day comfort and control. A lower counter can serve as a comfortable workspace for food preparation and can be used for seating. A shallow, wide sink can make everyday tasks like rinsing produce or washing dishes easier and less taxing on the joints. If you want to start with a smaller swap, lever handles are easier to grip and operate than traditional twist knobs and faucets.
- Upgrade your Appliances: Appliances with aging-friendly design features can dramatically improve safety and ease of use. Counter-depth appliances reduce protrusions, making it easier to move around—especially if you rely on a walker or wheelchair. Side-opening ovens may be safer and easier to access than traditional ovens, while placing a microwave at counter height reduces the need to lift heavy items. Look for refrigerators with illuminated water and ice dispensers, slide-out shelves, and clearly labeled controls to simplify both visibility and access.
Financial Backing for Your Home Improvements
With 88% of adults aged 50-80 believing it’s important to remain in their homes as they age,3 it’s easy to see the benefits of implementing aging-ready solutions across your home. And for seniors, you’re in luck! An often-overlooked source of cash is right under your roof: your home equity. The cumulative home equity owned by those 62 and older stood at nearly $14 trillion at the close of 2024.4 That’s a lot of potential kitchen upgrades!
Integrating home improvements—in the kitchen and beyond—often requires an upfront investment before reaping the long-term benefits. While many changes can be done on a tight budget, you may benefit from access to additional funds in order to take on larger projects, tackle all of the rooms in your home, or simply use the extra cash however you wish.
While people have traditionally turned to savings accounts or invested assets, tapping into your home equity may offer a better way to access your funds—without depleting your retirement nest egg.
Of course, making sure you’re finding the right financial solution for you is essential.
Looking Ahead with Longbridge
At Longbridge Financial, we understand the importance of making informed decisions when it comes to utilizing your home equity responsibly. This is why we will get to know your unique situation and learn what you want to achieve, so you can proceed with confidence and clarity. There are multiple options to explore, and understanding your circumstances—from a financial standpoint and beyond—can give clarity on the best path towards a secure financial future for you.
A Home Equity Conversion Mortgage, also known as a reverse mortgage, is one way tap into a portion of this equity and turn it into cash, all without the burden of monthly mortgage payments (as long as you meet your loan obligations, keeping up with property taxes, insurance, and maintenance).
Also designed with seniors in mind is Longbridge’s HELOC For Seniors™. This first-of-its-kind Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) offers key benefits over traditional back HELOCs, like lower, interest-only payments. This means you can keep monthly costs manageable throughout the life of the loan.5
With both of these options, you can use the funds however you like! Whether you’re interested in using this extra cash to cover home improvements, rising healthcare costs, pursuing your passions, or simply covering day-to-day expenses, tapping into your home equity can be a smart way to age in place and enjoy your retirement with less financial worry.
To learn more about how you can use your home equity to support your aging in place goals, alongside other financial desires, contact the Longbridge team today!
Up next in our “Home Sweet Home” series: the bathroom! With a few smart upgrades and fresh designs, you can transform this often-overlooked room into an at-home oasis fit for your long-term needs. Check back in to see how you can apply our tips—all with the backing of your home equity.
