Retirement & Financial Planning Report

If you decide to remodel your house, consider these improvements to make the house more appealing to elderly buyers–or more liveable for yourself, as you grow older.

* Install kitchen appliances at a convenient height. This will reduce the need to stoop over dishwasher racks or reach up to a freezer.

* When making major alterations, install doorways at least 36 inches across and widen hallways so they are wheelchair accessible. An extra-wide hallway can be lined with bookshelves.

* Install a bench and grab bars in your bathtub, making it easier to get in and out.

* Replace doorknobs, cabinet handles, and faucets with items that have been designed for the elderly. They are easier to grip and turn.

As America ages, such amenities will increasingly add value to your house.