Author: Elaine Martin

Aging In Place: Creating Your Plan to Stay in Your Own Home Long Term.

Authored by Elaine Martin, co-owner Far North Craftsmanship

Getting older presents us with challenges. While we can’t turn back the hands of time, we can take the reins and get a strategy for making our golden years more enjoyable. One of the services we provide to our clients here at Far North Craftsmanship are “Aging in Place” home modifications.

What is aging in place? It is a comprehensive plan to modify your home so you can live independently in comfort for the long term. As we get older, many of us are starting to worry about how we will be able to negotiate stairs, cook, clean and perform our bathroom routines when mobility becomes an issue. Most of us would prefer not to have to move into an assisted living center simply because we can’t live safely in our own homes anymore. Not to mention that the exorbitant cost of such facilities, often with long waiting lists are a major hurdle for most people.

Getting a plan for Aging in Place involves improving the functionality of all the areas of your home to accommodate your changing needs. So, what kind of changes help you stay in your own home long term?

  • Widening doorways to allow wheelchair access to rooms (36 inch doorways are necessary for wheelchair access and most homes do not have doors this wide.)
  • Removing the standard tub and shower and instead creating a curb-less shower for wheelchair access in addition to fold down bench, grab rails and handheld shower wand for independent bathing
  • Updating the bathroom with grab rails by the commode for easy transfers and enhanced balance
  • Installing a vanity that accommodates wheelchairs for easier morning grooming routines.
  • Lowering kitchen countertops for meal preparation from a seated position.
  • Installing chair lifts for safe negotiation of stairs
  • Building ramps for wheelchair access to home
  • Re-purposing rooms on the main level to create ground floor master bedroom
  • Removing walls to create open floor plan for better flow using a wheelchair

The list continues as you think about where the trouble areas will be as you go about your day. Of course, these types of modifications are also needed in any type of mobility issues for those of us dealing with injuries, illness, vertigo and more.

With rising interest rates people who planned to sell their multilevel homes and purchase a ranch style home for better mobility may be questioning if that’s the right move. In addition, the inventory for these highly desirable ranch homes is low right now in Alaska. When comparing the price of modifying your existing home for ADA improvements it often proves much more cost effective than selling. When comparing the price of moving into an Assisted Living facility, the improvements to your home are far lower than the ongoing cost of facility living. Not to mention, most of us prefer our independent living, privacy, adequate space for our possessions, yards, neighborhoods, and the simple comfort of home.

While in the past ADA (Americans with Disabilities) modifications often looked clunky and hospital-like, leaving you feeling like a patient instead of a homeowner, we create attractive spaces that also work for your practical needs. The above photo is an example of an ADA shower that we created for our clients that has all elements of Aging in Place without advertising that it is anything but a beautiful custom bathroom. Whether you have been thinking about this for yourself or have older parents that might need this type of update in the future, it is an important topic that is facing many Americans right now. If you would like more information, give us a call, Far North Craftsmanship 907-373-2400, https://farnorthcraftsmanship.com and we would be happy to help you get a plan or refer you to other trusted partners in the community to meet your needs. A few strategic changes of your home can make all the difference for your or your loved one’s long-term quality of life and independent living.

Countertops 101

Countertops 101

Some Things You Should Know Before Selecting Your Countertops:

Kitchen counters have come a long way in the last 50 years. Today’s options have become more high-tech and luxurious looking. The different materials have also become more versatile and easier on your budget. There’s something for just about everyone, which means you get to hand select the look and feel of your kitchen from the floor to the ceiling. If you’re thinking about renovating your kitchen, then the countertops are one area you shouldn’t overlook.

Open that kitchen space up for family and friends to enjoy!


This is by far one of our favorite projects to do for customer’s! The “open floor concept” lets in so much more light and who wants to be closed off from family and friends while preparing amazing food in the kitchen?
We get asked all the time if this is possible and in most cases yes! The biggest question of course being…is it load bearing? Many times we can answer this question on the spot and in some cases an engineer can help and are not as expensive as most people think. In most cases electrical/plumbing can easily be relocated and if it is load-bearing there are many things that can be done to still open up your kitchen space. 
See below…

Common Sense Strategies for Remodeling your home during Covid 19

Working on your home during Covid 19 presents challenges that we have been working hard to overcome, but we have we have developed a system to protect both our clients and our team that have been working extremely well. Here is Gene Martin, owner of Far North Craftsmanship to explain the new measures we are able to implement to keep your important projects moving forward.

Craftsman’s Corner: How to keep your home functioning in -20 degrees!

*First of all make sure to close any foundation vents under your house and windows to basements, cover if necessary with poly sheeting. For vents you can use good old cardboard and duct tape! Window coverings like heavy drapes can be drawn at night to help keep heat in as well.