The longer life expectancy of most people today means many of us will be around for much longer, and often will have living parents when we ourselves get old. Home designers these days consider all ages and lifestyle changes in their designs. This permits folks to stay in their homes longer and allows their senior loved ones to age in place.
Busy Buddies, Inc., can help you with caring transitions services. To make your home more senior-friendly, consider our age-in-place design recommendations.
Install Multi-Level Counters
Seniors can work more efficiently and comfortably with multilevel countertops. This design helps increase maneuverability as well, allowing anyone to reach the countertop that’s most convenient at any given time. Multi-level counters also allow room for people who would rather sit than stand, including those in wheelchairs.
Make All Places Wheelchair-Accessible
Walk-in tubs are best suited for the aged, though if showers are preferred, they shouldn’t have a curb. A seat in the shower is a welcome feature for the elderly as well. All passages in the home must be wide enough to accommodate wheelchair movement, and all open areas should have plenty of space for turning. In addition, corridors should be clear of objects that might obstruct wheelchairs. Call on the services of Busy Buddies, and we can help you declutter your home if needed.
Consider Pullout/Pulldown Shelving
Older people find it difficult to access deep cabinet shelves. A pullout pantry takes care of this problem by allowing you to see everything at a glance without having to shuffle items around. Easy access to your canned goods and cereal boxes puts less strain on your back and knees as well. Busy Buddies can point you to home improvement companies that provide such accessories.
Take Advantage of Open Flooring
Seniors in wheelchairs can navigate a combined kitchen, dining room and living area with ease when you have an open concept floor plan. Fewer twisting halls mean more room to maneuver, and allows seniors to monitor their surroundings using a clear line of sight rather than hearing.
