Elderly-Friendly Spaces for Loved Ones who Live on Their Own
Here's how you can help your ageing loved ones future-proof their home without breaking a sweat
If a full-on renovation is not possible or necessary, these simple tips will help elderly loved ones age independently while giving you peace of mind.
Do you have elderly parents or grandparents who insist on living in their own homes? While you may worry for them, here are some tips from Aamer Taher, principal of Aamer Architects, that are relatively easy on the pocket, and yet could help your loved ones live comfortably on their own for as long as possible.
Bedroom
Aside from clearing the clutter from their main room of rest, Taher suggests “moving the bed against the wall [to create] more space to move [around in]”. This would also prevent potential falls from bed, he says.
Aside from clearing the clutter from their main room of rest, Taher suggests “moving the bed against the wall [to create] more space to move [around in]”. This would also prevent potential falls from bed, he says.
Colours are important when decorating for older people, shares Resene, manufacturer of paints, coatings, wood stains for decorating purposes. “Studies carried out in nursing/rest homes indicate that soft pinky-beiges contrasted with soft blue/greens are soothing and peaceful.”
If a coat of wall paint seems too much, start making small changes with the bed linens, bed throws, and/or add decorative accents of the new colour (for e.g. lamp base and curtain tie backs).
Just a note: the ageing eye perceives colours a little differently so it’s important that your elderly loved ones like what they see.
Colours can affect your well-being
If a coat of wall paint seems too much, start making small changes with the bed linens, bed throws, and/or add decorative accents of the new colour (for e.g. lamp base and curtain tie backs).
Just a note: the ageing eye perceives colours a little differently so it’s important that your elderly loved ones like what they see.
Colours can affect your well-being
Bathroom
Grab bars are a must-intall feature in bathrooms. These give the user something secure to hold onto to getting in and out of the shower, and also double up as a towel rail.
Add a wooden or plastic stool for sitting on while they shower or to hold your shower necessities so these are within easy reach, says Taher.
Grab bars are a must-intall feature in bathrooms. These give the user something secure to hold onto to getting in and out of the shower, and also double up as a towel rail.
Add a wooden or plastic stool for sitting on while they shower or to hold your shower necessities so these are within easy reach, says Taher.
Alternatively, a wooden bench like this takes up very little space while toiletries and other necessities are tucked into the recessed area above it – all within easy reach.
To further prevent accidents, avoid those metal or glass shelves that protrude from the wall, shares Taher.
For extra safety, add grab bars outside of the shower stall too. They’ll help safe navigation from the wet area to dry.
To further prevent accidents, avoid those metal or glass shelves that protrude from the wall, shares Taher.
For extra safety, add grab bars outside of the shower stall too. They’ll help safe navigation from the wet area to dry.
Another option is this simple and clean-lined fold-against-the-wall bench; with the shower head at an appropriate height that makes it easy to reach while seated.
Future-Proof Your Bathroom Design for Your Golden Years
Future-Proof Your Bathroom Design for Your Golden Years
Toilet
If this is separate from the bathroom, grab bars are a must too.
If this is separate from the bathroom, grab bars are a must too.
Look for a double duty fixture, such as this grab bar and toilet roll holder.
Kitchen
To avoid accidental slips and falls, consider laying down perforated rubber matting, suggests Taher.
Or perhaps consider rubber flooring! This might sound unusual but it’s practical. With its soft, springy underfoot feel, rubber is also durable.
To avoid accidental slips and falls, consider laying down perforated rubber matting, suggests Taher.
Or perhaps consider rubber flooring! This might sound unusual but it’s practical. With its soft, springy underfoot feel, rubber is also durable.
Lighting is just as important to prevent accidents from happening in the kitchen. Install under-cabinet lights, which is great for food prep work and cooking, while brightening dimly-lit corners.
Open shelves are preferred over solid doors. “They [visually] remind you where things are placed,” shares Taher.
And while those shelves are being installed, Taher suggests attaching a small disposal bin to the wall by the sink for easy disposal of items during cooking instead of having to bend over too often to reach below the sink or bins placed on the floor.
And while those shelves are being installed, Taher suggests attaching a small disposal bin to the wall by the sink for easy disposal of items during cooking instead of having to bend over too often to reach below the sink or bins placed on the floor.
Living room
Avoid glass-topped coffee tables and ensure seating is at a comfortable height for getting up from, says Taher.
The fragile bones of the elderly will be happy to ease themselves into soft upholstered furniture too. If there are rugs in the home, ensure they are firmly anchored down and without curling edges that are tripping hazards.
Here are more ideas to help you future-proof your home
Avoid glass-topped coffee tables and ensure seating is at a comfortable height for getting up from, says Taher.
The fragile bones of the elderly will be happy to ease themselves into soft upholstered furniture too. If there are rugs in the home, ensure they are firmly anchored down and without curling edges that are tripping hazards.
Here are more ideas to help you future-proof your home
Dining room
Lightweight, stackable chairs allow for more space to navigate a wheelchair or walker around.
Lightweight, stackable chairs allow for more space to navigate a wheelchair or walker around.
More tips
Avoid transparent (glass) doors - it’s easy to walk straight into one! Choose a solid door and paint it a colour that’s a contrast to walls next to it. That’s a great help to the elderly who have deteriorating eyesight.
Choose electrical equipment that have built-in sensors, offers Taher. For example, swap out the open-fire stovetop (gas) with auto-cutoff induction cookers. These are easier to clean too.
Avoid transparent (glass) doors - it’s easy to walk straight into one! Choose a solid door and paint it a colour that’s a contrast to walls next to it. That’s a great help to the elderly who have deteriorating eyesight.
Choose electrical equipment that have built-in sensors, offers Taher. For example, swap out the open-fire stovetop (gas) with auto-cutoff induction cookers. These are easier to clean too.
To minimise the chance of being scalded by hot water, get a water heater unit that cuts off automatically when a preset temperature is reached.
And choose furniture with no sharp edges, reminds Taher.
TELL US
Share your tips on elder-proofing in Comments below.
MORE
9 Thoughtful Tasks to Help Your Elderly Parents Downsize
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And choose furniture with no sharp edges, reminds Taher.
TELL US
Share your tips on elder-proofing in Comments below.
MORE
9 Thoughtful Tasks to Help Your Elderly Parents Downsize
How to Plan For an Elder-friendly Home
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