Proactive Home Renovations for Future Accessibility Needs
Being visionary rather than reactionary in accessible renovations can help homes be prepared before life changes force the issue. This forward-thinking approach transforms living spaces to accommodate future needs while maintaining aesthetic appeal and personal style.
A Home Transformed Through Life's Journey
There's nothing cookie-cutter about Linda Johnson's home except perhaps its original structure. The residence, originally built in the 1990s as a typical Fort Saskatchewan home with three bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms, and blue vinyl siding, has undergone a remarkable transformation through seven separate renovations.
Travis Plamondon, partner at Ackard Contractors, worked alongside homeowner Linda Johnson to create accessible features including a gentle ramp leading from her front door to the living room, lined with artistic pieces that reflect Johnson's vibrant personality.
From Medical Necessity to Personal Expression
The renovation journey began in 2012 when Johnson's husband faced serious health challenges. Medical staff believed they could stabilize his condition, prompting Johnson to seek solutions for making their home wheelchair accessible.
"I was on a quest then to see what we could do to bring him back to the house because this house was not set up in any way for somebody to be in a wheelchair," Johnson explained during her search for potential accessibility solutions.
The comprehensive modifications included:
- Raising the floor in the sunken living room
- Transforming a den into a bathroom with roll-in shower
- Widening every doorway for wheelchair access
- Lowering light switches to accessible heights
- Installing an induction stove for safety
- Incorporating a microwave into a lower kitchen island section
- Adding a main floor bedroom to eliminate second-floor access issues
Tragically, Johnson's husband never returned home to experience these completed renovations, but the foundation had been laid for the home's continued evolution.
Evolution Continues with Personal Style
By 2018, Johnson embarked on another significant phase of her home's transformation. While the house had become accessible, it still reflected her late husband's traditional tastes rather than her own artistic sensibilities.
Johnson's personal style emerged as post-modern eclectic, featuring:
- White, black, and zebra-striped carpet tiles (practical for pet maintenance)
- Shiplap walls replacing standard drywall
- Vibrant paintings by American artist Jenny Foster
- Whimsical animal subjects adding elegant yet playful elements
A welcome mat humorously notes that the house belongs to Johnson's two dogs, with the human merely living alongside them.
Accessibility for Multiple Generations
The renovations continued to serve practical purposes as Johnson's mother required accessible features. Later modifications even accommodated Johnson's pet dog Bernard, who became paralyzed and needed to relearn walking skills.
Perhaps the most significant addition was an elevator connecting the basement, main floor, and upper level—a feature that demonstrates how homes can evolve to meet changing mobility needs across different life stages.
The Importance of Proactive Planning
Johnson's experience illustrates several crucial principles for homeowners considering accessibility renovations:
- Start before emergencies occur to allow for thoughtful planning and design
- Work with experienced contractors who understand both accessibility requirements and aesthetic considerations
- Consider multiple potential future scenarios including aging parents, medical conditions, or pet needs
- Balance functionality with personal style to create spaces that are both practical and emotionally satisfying
The current version of Johnson's home represents not necessarily a final iteration but rather an ongoing adaptation to life's changing circumstances. Her journey demonstrates that accessible design need not sacrifice beauty or personality, but can instead enhance living spaces while preparing them for whatever the future may bring.
