Our March blog covered the concept of a “forever home” and how to build a house that grows with your family. This month, we’re discussing the next item on the “forever home” checklist, designing for aging in place. So, what is aging in place? Simply said, it’s staying put! However, aging in place requires the right setting: a comfortable home that allows you to live independently while staying safe. Unless your home was built with universal design principles, it will likely need modifications to support aging in place. Keep reading below for home design tips that enable safe, responsible aging in place.
- Map it Out
Mentally and physically walk through your home, room by room, searching for areas that could be safety hazards as you age. Take notes as you go; these items will make up your to-do list. - Planning Phase
After evaluating your space and writing your list, it’s time to start planning! Depending on your needs and budget, you could start tackling projects on your own or bring in a remodeling professional. If your list is long, we recommend taking a phased approach, beginning with whichever safety concern looms largest. - Outdoor Safety
Identify potential problem areas outside your home, such as uneven walkways, tripping hazards, poor lighting, entryway access, steep stairs, overgrown landscaping, and other maintenance concerns. - Indoor Safety
This list will likely be much longer, but next consider safety hazards in your home. When searching for potential issues, a good guideline is asking yourself, “Could I do this task or maneuver in this space easily if my physical abilities changed?” For example, arthritis often makes turning doorknobs difficult; lever-style handles are much more accessible to all bodies.
- Kitchen
Install accessible faucets and hardware; ensure cabinets and countertops are wheelchair height; utilize pull-out drawers for easy access; consider appliances with safety shut-offs; make sure smoke detectors are up-to-date and functional. - Bathroom
Use non-slip mats; install shower and toilet grab bars; consider a shower chair, bench, or walk-in tub. - Bedroom
Ensure you can get in and out of bed without aid; install grab bars wherever needed; clear regular pathways; consider smart technology such as lights, fans, and media. - Flooring, Halls, & Stairs
Remove any tripping hazards; add handrails on both sides of staircases; consider automatic or underfoot lighting for nighttime guidance; make use of ramps or lifts as needed.
- Kitchen
- Upkeep Needs
Another crucial aspect of safely aging in place is regular home maintenance. Whether you can manage on your own or need to hire help, staying on top of your home’s upkeep is half the battle – a “forever home” requires consistent love and care. - Smart Technology
Home design and smart technology have grown by leaps and bounds in the past few decades! There are countless ways to incorporate this technology to improve life in your home, such as motion-sensor lighting, automatic shut-offs for electrical devices, energy-efficiency measures to ensure comfort and cut costs, and much more. - Security & Emergencies
Many home emergencies are the result of poor planning. Start on the right foot by putting a security system and emergency plan in place before you need them. Aging homeowners and their loved ones find great comfort, especially in health alert and security monitoring.
Ready to Get Started?
Are you ready to design your forever home? Please, connect with Doug anytime! He’d love to help you cast a vision for your project and turn your plans into reality.
Photo by James DeMers on Pixabay