How to Plan For an Elder-Friendly Home
Future-proof your home for your ageing family members... without breaking the bank
There will come a time when you will need to start thinking about what you need to do to prepare your home as your family grows up (and age – yes, you!) or perhaps your parents or in-laws need to move in with you because they are unable to look after themselves. Here are some basic pointers to kick off the planning process as it takes time to execute these measures. Being senior-ready may not be as daunting or money-draining as you think, especially if you have young children as you would have already considered some of these home safety measures anyway.
A ‘home away from home’ requires a few adjustments to the physical space says Aamer Taher, principal of Aamer Architects. His firm’s Future-Ready Home for the Aged was selected for its winning scheme in a nationwide design competition. Here, Taher shares a few tips on what young families could do to make it more comfortable for their elderly folks who move in with them.
1. Easy access
To reduce the incidents of tripping or falling among the elderly or the less mobile, like those in a wheelchair or require a walker, “Remove clutter for better access [to main areas in the home] and to prevent accidents from happening,” Taher advises.
To reduce the incidents of tripping or falling among the elderly or the less mobile, like those in a wheelchair or require a walker, “Remove clutter for better access [to main areas in the home] and to prevent accidents from happening,” Taher advises.
2. Flooring
Work with the existing flooring (especially if it’s prone to being slippery) by laying down carpets and rugs “but bond the edges to the floor” to prevent the elderly from accidentally tripping on the carpet edge, says Taher.
Carpets also reduce the chances of the elderly slipping, and cushion their fall when they do.
More flooring types to consider
Work with the existing flooring (especially if it’s prone to being slippery) by laying down carpets and rugs “but bond the edges to the floor” to prevent the elderly from accidentally tripping on the carpet edge, says Taher.
Carpets also reduce the chances of the elderly slipping, and cushion their fall when they do.
More flooring types to consider
3. Slippery when wet
If the bathroom is large enough, consider separating it into wet and dry areas. Add non-slip mats. Just remember to check frequently that they do not curl at the edges as this is a tripping hazard.
Grab bars are important features that must be added to help the elderly move around and to steady themselves.
If the bathroom is large enough, consider separating it into wet and dry areas. Add non-slip mats. Just remember to check frequently that they do not curl at the edges as this is a tripping hazard.
Grab bars are important features that must be added to help the elderly move around and to steady themselves.
4. Lighting
Keep often-used areas – stairs, bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchen – well-lit.
When choosing new lighting or thinking about what to remove from the home, Taher says, “No fussy standing lamps,”. These might get in the way (be in the path or have long wires) and cause an elderly person to trip and fall.
“Wall lights or normal down lights will do.”
Keep often-used areas – stairs, bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchen – well-lit.
When choosing new lighting or thinking about what to remove from the home, Taher says, “No fussy standing lamps,”. These might get in the way (be in the path or have long wires) and cause an elderly person to trip and fall.
“Wall lights or normal down lights will do.”
5. Little touches
Visible (in other words, large) and easy-to-reach switch points are a boon.
Visible (in other words, large) and easy-to-reach switch points are a boon.
6. Soft spots
Furniture (throughout the home) should have no hard and sharp edges, including transparent glass tops for coffee tables, shares Taher.
If you have young children in the home, you’d probably have considered this point anyway, so it’s just a matter of tweaking some of the furniture, such as the bed and wardrobe, specifically for your parents or in-laws.
Furniture (throughout the home) should have no hard and sharp edges, including transparent glass tops for coffee tables, shares Taher.
If you have young children in the home, you’d probably have considered this point anyway, so it’s just a matter of tweaking some of the furniture, such as the bed and wardrobe, specifically for your parents or in-laws.
7. Start planning for yourself
These are just a few tips to get you thinking about future-proofing your home.
Adding new members to a household will require adjustments form both sides – physically and emotionally. Think of it as planning for your future as well, as you enjoy quality of life through all stages and ages.
These are just a few tips to get you thinking about future-proofing your home.
Adding new members to a household will require adjustments form both sides – physically and emotionally. Think of it as planning for your future as well, as you enjoy quality of life through all stages and ages.
Taher says that his company’s housing for the elderly seeks to “improve the quality of life by providing the feeling of ‘home away from home’…” and of “crafting an ambiance that one seeks which is conducive to the mind, body and soul; a new home.”
“From the intimate spaces within the ward itself to the bigger common areas, conducive environments laced with lush greeneries were created to cater for every level of the development of self-esteem,” Taher says.
More information about the project here
TELL US
Have you incorporated changes in your home to accommodate elderly folks who have moved in with you? What are they? Please share in Comments below.
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More information about the project here
TELL US
Have you incorporated changes in your home to accommodate elderly folks who have moved in with you? What are they? Please share in Comments below.
MORE
How to Future-Proof Your Favourite Decor Fads
Houzz Tour: This Future-Ready Home is Designed for Lots of Family Time
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