05/2019 KIPLINGER’S PERSONAL FINANCE 69The debt will be repaid after you
leave the home permanently and
the house is sold. For more in-
formation on reverse mortgages,
visit the websites of the Consumer
Financial Protection Bureau (go to
http://www.cfpb.gov and search for “re-
verse mortgage”) and the National
Reverse Mortgage Lenders Associ-
ation (www.reversemortgage.org).
WHERE TO GET HELP
For help designing and construct-
ing larger projects, look for a
(^1) Rocker-style wall switches. Replace toggle-style wall switches with easier-to-use rocker-
style ones ($420 to $1,000 for 10 switches, installed). 2 Doorway. Replace a narrow interior
doorway with one that’s 36 inches wide ($1,800 to $2,000). 3 Washer and dryer. Switch from
top-loading to front-loading models installed on pedestals to lessen back strain. Look for doors
that swing to the side, not down ($2,000 to $2,800 apiece, or $2,000 for a space-saving combi-
nation unit). 4 Non-slip flooring. Replace deep-pile carpet and a thick pad with low-pile carpet
and a firm pad, or install non-slip flooring ($4 to $18 per square foot, installed). 5 Custom
closet organizer. Outfit closets with multilevel shelving and hanging units that are accessible
whether you’re sitting or standing ($1,000 for a reach-in closet to $6,500 for a walk-in closet).
4
5