When you start to remodel your home for aging in place, it may seem like work. There are many things you can do to make the process easier. Our guide to aging in place home remodeling and design will show you how to make your home safe for you to live in for as long as possible.
Make sure you understand the age in place.
Age in place home is when a person stays at home as they get older, rather than moving to a retirement home. In time, things that were easy and quick when we were younger can become much more time-consuming and harder. This is mostly because of the development of certain medical conditions, such as:
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- Balance issues
- Hearing is lessened
- Mental abilities have been reduced.
- Mobility is less
- Loss of power or endurance
- Vision is reduced
These problems can make it hard for you to do everything you need to do every day. If you need to get around your house, run errands, keep good hygiene, and do yard work, this could be your job! Aging in place planning and design considers these problems before they happen by making changes to your home that account for and support your limitations.
Decisions about growing old in the same place should not be made lightly. It’s important to make a detailed plan in advance that covers all of the possible problems with aging in place.
Enhance Your Home with “Smart” Technology
Smart technology is perfect for those who are aging in place since it enables users to operate linked equipment from smartphones or applications. Rather than getting up to change the temperature or switch on the lights, you may do so with the press of a button while remaining seated. You can link a broad range of gadgets, sensors, or appliances to your home’s Internet of Things (IoT). These are some examples:
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- Lighting
- Thermostats
- Carbon monoxide/smoke detectors
- System of home security
- Door locks
- Home appliances (e.g., stoves, refrigerators, or laundry machines)
Family members may also use smart technology to monitor persons aging in place. Installing motion sensors, for example, can measure movement and inform caretakers if you haven’t moved in a while. Finally, smart technology and the Internet of Things provide increased security and safety, important components of aging in place design.
Lighting
A change in our eyesight, including greater susceptibility to glare, is one of the most typical impacts of aging. As a result, it is beneficial to have glare-reducing window coverings and lighting. Although they are widely used, CFL light bulbs may not be the greatest option for elderly eyes. It may take some time for them to warm up and shine.
A dynamic lighting system based on LED lights may be designed such that the color of the light varies gently throughout the day, beginning with stronger blue light in the morning and transitioning to red light towards the end of the day. This may be used as visual assistance and to support the circadian system, which helps us align our sleep and alertness cycles with the sun.
Fresh Coat of Paint
Change the color of your home’s decor to something lighter, brighter, or more contemporary. To get the best results, match the color of your home to its architectural style; for example, on Victorians, upgrade to a somewhat darker paint color; on Arts and Crafts buildings, use a saturated color palette; and on Tudors, use a natural color palette. A bright color might accent the front door, shutters, trim, or decorative woodwork. Assemble colors that complement the rest of your home’s exterior, and use accent colors sparingly to avoid overwhelming the rest of the palette.
Lighting for Aging in Place
Slipping in the bath is frightening at any age and sources several injuries. Fortunately, a bath constructed for safety may nevertheless seem opulent.
Who says a handicapped-accessible bath cannot be stylish? Curbless showers with huge niches are accessible to the elderly and resemble boutique hotels—especially when paired with a hand shower that glides on a rail, a cozy seat, and warm air from a ceiling heater. Bidet toilet seats, lever-type faucet knobs, and pocket or sliding entrance doors that open like a barn door enhance both aesthetic and utility.
Kitchen design
A kitchen that is easily accessible benefits everyone—who doesn’t want basics within reach and appliances and prep space at a back-saving height? Open layouts are already popular because they promote social interaction, keep the chef informed, and optimize light and sightlines. Layered illumination is both aesthetically beautiful and age-friendly in Kitchen Design. Prep space at several heights and a peninsula supported by a chair-accommodating pedestal further add airiness to a room.
Furniture
Choosing furniture for aging-in-place design requires consideration of ergonomics and the ways and locations in which an older body may need support. For instance, dining chairs with arms are an excellent choice since they allow for easy lifting, lowering, and weight distribution when seated or standing. They help you regain your equilibrium, a typical problem among older folks. Cushioning on upholstered furniture, such as couches or side chairs should be firm.
Hire specialists that are knowledgeable with ageing in place home remodeling, such as Nailed It Builders. In Santa Clara, we provide home interior design and remodeling services.
