There’s an emerging population of seniors that want to keep their own home and autonomy while still relying on care and assistance as they grow older. A big part of achieving this balance is going to be changing the interior design of their homes to make it both safer and more comfortable.
These homes could still be designed with a personal aesthetic in mind and they can reflect the preference and the interest of the owner as any other home would do.
Floors
Slippery floors are probably the most dangerous features of a home for an elderly person. Most accidents happen in bathrooms and kitchens where floors are often wet, and these injuries could have a long-lasting and devastating effect on seniors. Choosing the proper carpeting material is therefore essential.
It’s best to place non-slippery mats under each rug. They are unnoticeable and using those allows you to choose the size and the material of the rug you prefer. At the same time, try to take out all the thresholds you have in between the rooms. These surfaces should then be covered with rugs, but it’s much safer if the floors are completely flat.
Doorknobs
Doorknobs may not seem that important, but they can present a real problem for the elderly. Traditional doorknob can be rather painful to turn if you have arthritis, which isn’t only a matter of comfort, but potentially of safety as well.
It’s best to use lever-style doorknobs since they require the least effort to be turned. They are also slick and minimalistic in their design which makes them an easy fit for any room. Similar changes could be done to faucets, so that you use levers instead of having to turn the faucet.
Lighting
Every dark room could be potentially dangerous for any homeowner, but especially for the elderly. It’s no surprise then that modern aged care facilities pay special attention to lighting and make their property lit with both overhead and task lights in every room.
It’s important to have a clear idea of how the room will be used before you start deciding on its lighting. It will be easier to add layers of light that way, so that you can modify the room based on its purpose and how it’s used at any given moment.
Stairs
There’s no feature elderly homeowners dread more than stairs. They are painful to use and they are probably the least safe part of the home. Depending on the age and health of the occupants there are a few ways to modify stairs. The simplest thing you could do is to add a handrail, which can be simple and elegant, almost unnoticeable.
It’s also useful to make sure that each step is clearly visible and separated from the next one. Knowing where the edge of the step is makes the climb that much safer. The surface of the steps also shouldn’t be slippery.
A specialist
Most of these changes are a matter of common sense and putting your safety first as your top priority. However, there might be other less noticeable dangerous hidden in your home, that an average owner isn’t able to spot. It’s therefore useful to hire a specialist to help you out.
Many contractors and repair experts offer an audit as one of their services. An expert will inspect your home and find areas that you might have to work on in order to make it safer for an elderly person. Choosing the modifications is still up to the owner.
Elderly homeowners can continue to live on their own and enjoy their autumn years as long as their home is safe. It often takes just a few modifications to make it so.
Read More: Tips for Planning a Home Renovation