Creating
an elder friendly home environment is a choice many homeowners are using as
against moving to the impersonal surroundings of assisted living. Many elders
prefer to stay in their familiar surroundings at home as home renovations for
seniors are designed to increase comfort and safety. Due to age related
limitations seniors should have the ease to move around and use their home
facilities without risk of falling or injury in their day-to-day life.
Remodeling
and renovating homes to accommodate the elderly should be carefully thought out
and executed according to the needs of the senior residents. Construction
companies have now improved methods and designs due to the increased demand for
elder related remodeling work. Families that have elder family members moving
in with them choose home improvements that focus on the health and comfort of
seniors.
These
renovations can provide certain degree of independence, help avoid injuries and
make the surroundings more accessible and improve the quality of life for the
elderly.
Senior Residences
Ideally
seniors should reside at ground level but if their homes are situated at a
higher floor the elevators, hallways and lifts should be well lit, accessible,
with handrails provided. Flooring should be made from slip resistant material,
and closets and storage should be easy to use and access.
Lighting
Seniors
require brighter lights but minus the glare so adding sufficient lighting including
areas such as the stairs with additional flashlights provided during power cuts
should be provided. Switches should be placed at lower levels and operate
easily.
Bathroom
Bathrooms
are among risk prone areas for slipping and falling so should ensure safety for
the elderly. Faucets should be lever controlled; there should be thermostats
for controlling water temperatures to prevent scalding, commodes should be at
low levels and sinks and curbless showers or tubs should be easily accessible
without any floor level differences. Grab bars should be provided and hand held
showers should be installed. Flooring should be level and slip resistant and
handrails should be installed at regular intervals.
Kitchen
Kitchen
renovations for seniors should include modifications that make appliances, countertops,
sinks, and cabinets easy to use and access. Cupboards should be easy to open
and close or reach.
Exteriors
Home
improvement for senior friendly residences should include easy maintaining
vinyl materials for sidings and the deck and entry should be on the same level
or just about half an inch lower. Landscape should have low maintenance plants
and the access pathway should be even. Front door should have space for keeping
packages and equipped with sensor lights, peepholes and no steps.
Windows and Doors
Senior
friendly homes should be equipped with hardware and locking systems that are
secure but easy to operate. The sills should be placed at a lower level and the
windows should allow plenty of light during daytime. As dexterity decreases in
the elderly and as some have painful arthritis it is worthwhile to change
doorknobs and handles with lever types that are easier to handle and operate.
There
are many additional ways to manage safety and comfort of senior living that can
be included such as alarms, security switches to alert help for ambulance or
police and so on. Including energy efficient methods in home renovations can
also improve the health and comfort of the elderly and increase property value.
No comments:
Post a Comment