There are a lot of physical and health challenges that come with age. While these challenges affect older people differently, there is a consensus that making their living and recreational spaces easy and safe to navigate greatly improves the quality of life. Whether they live alone or share a home with their families, it is important to ensure that elderly people are in a comfortable and secure environment. There are several elderly friendly home design tips that can help transform and optimize living and relaxation spaces for elderly occupants.
Ensure The Rooms Are Traffic and Hazard-Free.
Trips and falls are among the top causes of injuries and even deaths among the elderly. These accidents are often linked to disorganized and cluttered spaces or ill-placed items around the house. To prevent this, all spaces occupied and frequented by elderly persons should always be clean, organized, and clutter-free. Items like furniture and furnishings should be placed in ways that will not lead to any accidents. Elderly people need as much space as possible to move around freely. Too much furniture is unnecessary and potentially hazardous. What little furniture there are should be cushioned and have rounded edges to prevent bumps and scrapes. Avoid delicate ornaments like ceramics and glass.
Ensure The Bathrooms Are Elder-Proof.
Thousands of people injure themselves in slips and fall while using the bathroom and the elderly make up the majority of this demographic. Bathrooms, with their smooth, shiny, slippery features, are particularly hazardous spaces for elderly people. it is difficult for them to stabilize themselves when they wobble or stagger in such spaces. Thankfully, there is a plethora of beautiful and stylish bathroom fittings and furnishings that provide the necessary comfort and safety the elderly need when using the convenience. Items like floor mats both in and outside the tub can be used. If the floor is all tiled, the tiles should be slip-resistant, not smooth, and slippery. Grab bars should be installed at strategic places to enable them lower, lift and stabilize themselves while moving about the bathroom. A handheld showerhead is often more convenient for someone with mobility issues than a fixed one. And lastly, an alarm bell or emergency phone should be installed in a convenient location in case of an accident or need of assistance.
Install Good Lighting
One of the best elderly-friendly home design tips to employ is to install good lights in their living and relaxation spaces. Older people need good lighting to help their typically poor vision. Good lighting reduces the occurrence of accidents by illuminating the environment around them. Fewer bumps, slips, falls, and breaks occur in illuminated spaces. Several lighting options can provide adequate and secure lighting while also being fashionable. Also, installing multiple lights around the room will not only increase the brightness but highlight potential hazards for the elderly occupant to see and avoid.
Install Slip-Resistant Floors in The House or Living Space.
A final but very important tip is to install slip-resistant floors in every room they frequent. Wet and slippery floors constitute the leading cause of accidents among the elderly. Bathrooms are not the only spaces that should be reinforced with antiskid floors. There is an assortment of fancy flooring options that will provide both safety and style.
Conclusion.
The safety of elderly family members or home occupants is to be taken seriously. This used to mean substituting aesthetics for practicality. However, with the many stylish elderly-friendly home design options available now, there is no need to compromise fashion for safety.