Some 70% of seniors spend the rest of their life in the place they celebrated their 65th birthday. Think about that for a minute. It means that the new home that you are planning to build will most likely be the home you live in for the rest of your life, and that is a good thing.
However, with that in mind, your home should be designed to support the physical and sensory changes that older adults encounter as we age. Our Southern Timbercraft designers can prepare plans that take into account age-related conditions such as reduced mobility or limited range of reach without sacrificing the beauty of a custom wood home elements.
Below you will find a checklist of options to discuss with our designers. You’ll still have the home you’ve always wanted, but forever can be much more comfortable from a place where you can age safely. Get in touch with us to begin the discussion.
Here are some ideas for making your new home safe for aging in place without compromising beauty.
General
Adapt lower floor of home for possible one level living
Increased incandescent general and specific task lighting
Easy garage or parking access
At least one entry is without steps
Doorways 36″ wide with offset hinges on doors
Levered door handles instead of knobs
Electrical outlets at 18 inches instead of 12
Easy to open or lock patio doors and screens
Light switches at 42″ instead of 48
Adjustable controls on light switches
Luminous switches in bedrooms, baths and hallways
Strobe light or vibrator-assisted smoke and burglar alarms
Lower windowsills especially for windows on the street
Programmable thermostats for heating and cooling
Contrast colors between floor and walls
Color borders around floor and counter-top edges
Non-skid flooring where possible
Peephole at a low height
Incorporation of emergency response system installed or wearable
Bathroom
Lever faucets and faucet mixers with anti-scald valves
Temperature controlled shower and tub fixtures
Stall shower with a low threshold and shower seat
Grab bars at back and sides of shower, tub and toilet or wall reinforcement for later installation
Bathrooms with turn around and transfer space for walker or wheelchair (36″ by 36″)
Higher bathroom counters
Installation of medical response device
Kitchen
Kitchen cabinets with pullout shelves and lazy susans
Easy to grasp cabinet knobs or pulls
Task lighting under counters
Adjustable upper shelves and pull out lower shelves
Variety in kitchen counter height – some as low as table height (30 inches)
Gas sensor near gas cooking, water heater and gas furnace
Color or pattern borders at counter edges
From www.seniorresource.com.