If you or an older loved one's mobility needs are changing, now is the time to think of appropriate interior design for senior living, such as having an open floor plan and widening doorways and paths.
Equally vital is setting up a stair lift, a wheelchair ramp, or both. Such devices can help with safe, independent movement in, out, and throughout your home.
Focusing your senior home renovation project on such accessible interior design elements can help make your abode more conducive to aging in place.
As Realtor.com points out, nearly three in four Americans want to age in place. However, not everyone has a home built to support this goal.
With proper modifications, however, you can transform yours into a living environment that's safer, more accessible, and fosters independence.
What Is Interior Design for Senior Living?
Interior design for senior living spaces focuses on the unique needs of older adults, such as those related to or that can affect their:
- Mobility
- Visibility
- Safety
- Comfort
- Convenience
Reputable retirement villages, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, and nursing home communities, incorporate these modern senior living design elements into their facilities. Their goal is to create a safe, accessible, yet home-like environment for their residents.
However, you can apply the same principles to your own home if you wish to keep living in it independently for as long as possible.
How Do You Design for Senior Living?
Incorporating a mobility-friendly design, investing in assistive devices, and enhancing flooring safety are critical strategies to achieve optimal interior design for senior living. The ease-of-use of essential hardware is also crucial to creating a home that supports healthy and safe aging in place.
Mobility-Friendly Design
Mobility issues are some of the most common challenges many older Americans face.
The National Council on Aging, for instance, states that 51% of seniors have arthritis. The disease, which causes joint inflammation and pain, can make walking and moving around more difficult.
Many Americans also have a mobility disability. Their condition gives rise to the need for devices like wheelchairs.
According to a study published in the journal Science Direct, there are an estimated one million users of wheeled mobility devices in the U.S., aged 65 and older. Many of them rely on manual wheelchairs.
If you or an aging loved one is on the same boat, consider transitioning to a mobility-friendly senior living design that incorporates an open floor plan. It's a layout in which multiple rooms converge into a single, connected space.
An example is combining the kitchen with the dining and living areas. By turning these rooms into one, you can eliminate many walls and cramped hallways, making moving around much easier. Plus, it can give your home an airier, more breathable vibe.
Assistive Devices
Investing in assistive devices like wheelchair ramps and stair lifts is also a wise move. They can be invaluable for seniors who use wheelchairs or have difficulty with transferring (moving from one seated position to another). However, it's vital to consult professionals before installing these devices.
You need to have ramps and lifts installed correctly and ensure they meet specific standards, as the experts at Williams Lift Co. explain. Doing so ensures that the devices work as they should and can keep users safe.
Wider Doorways and Paths
Widening doorways and paths is another way to make your home more aging-friendly, particularly if you or an older loved one needs mobility devices. Their increased width allows them to accommodate not just people on their feet but also wheelchairs and walkers.
Floor Safety
Anti-slip or slip-resistant flooring (e.g., textured tiles with enhanced grip and traction) is paramount to safe and healthy aging, considering that it can help reduce the risk of slips and falls. Per the U.S. CDC, among older adults, falls are the number one cause of injuries (non-fatal and fatal).
Easy-to-Use Hardware
Making your home more conducive to safe and comfortable senior living also involves replacing hardware like traditional doorknobs and cabinet knobs with lever-style handles and D-type pulls.
Typical knobs require more effort from the fingers, joints, and wrists to operate, making them a hassle for seniors, even more so for those with conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis. Levers and D-type pulls, on the other hand, are more ideal for older adults with reduced hand grip, dexterity, and strength.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Adequate Lighting Part of a Well-Designed Home for Senior Living?
Absolutely. Lighting can impact many aspects of seniors' lives, from their independence to safety, mood, and sleep.
Design your home in a way that allows natural light to stream in without exposing you or your older loved one to too much UV radiation (e.g., by installing solar films on window panes). Set up task lighting in kitchens and bathrooms, and get ambience lighting for bedrooms.
Consider night lights, too, which can help improve senior safety further. Aim for motion-activated products that use warm-toned LED lights that won't disrupt sleep cycles. Install these in high-traffic areas like bedrooms, bathrooms, and hallways.
What Are Other Modern Trends for Senior Living Design?
The integration of smart tech into interior design for senior living is one such modern trend. It can make older adults' lives easier, safer, and more convenient, as they act like "personal assistants."
Voice-activated tech, for instance, allows users to control other smart home devices, from the thermostat to the television, even lights. Seniors can also issue hands-free commands (e.g., "Turn the light off" or "Raise the HVAC temperature"), which can be beneficial for those with limited mobility.
Modern kitchen designs that focus on ergonomics are also becoming more popular, particularly custom-height countertops. Having your countertops set lower can help promote safety, comfort, and independence if you or an aging loved one uses a wheelchair.
Age in Place With These Interior Design Tips
Interior design for senior living is not only for aesthetics; it's also for the comfort, convenience, safety, and independence of older adults whose needs evolve as they age. From mobility friendliness to ramps, lifts, and wider doorways, all these can help you age well and safely in place.
Have a look at our website's other categories for the latest news and other informative guides.
This article was prepared by an independent contributor and helps us continue to deliver quality news and information.