How to Build Housing for the Elderly

As people age, some aspects of residential houses, such as steep stairs or high-sided bathtubs, become inconvenient or even dangerous to them. Home designers redesigning housing for the elderly must take the age of their clients into consideration. The clients' needs should be accommodated whenever possible by keeping accessibility and convenience in mind.

Instructions

1. Make the home wheelchair-accessible by providing ramps and elevators. Also expand hallways and doorways, and make sure that even small spaces contain enough room that a wheelchair can turn around without difficulty. Doorways should have 32-inch-wide clearance.

2. Do not include stairs, if possible. If the house is not a ranch and stairs are needed, design them with as gentle an incline as possible, and use double-width steps. Make sure there are sufficient handrails.

3. Modify bathrooms by replacing toilet seats with higher models to accommodate limited hip movement. Enlarge the shower and include a hand-held shower head. Bathtubs should have grab bars and feature faucets with a lever control so they can be easily operated.

4. Create a kitchen that accommodates wheelchairs by lowering sinks and counter tops. Storage space should be low-set, with rounded corners. Faucets should have lever controls.

5. Provide sufficient lighting throughout the house. Older people are more susceptible to glare and also require up to three times the amount of light that younger people do. Natural lighting should be drawn on when possible to increase exposure to sunlight.

References

• Trends in Japan: Building For the Golden Years
• American Occupational Therapy Association: Modifying Your Home For Independence
• SeniorJournal.com: Lighting an Important COnsideration for Senior Citizens' Homes

Resources

• Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access: Accessible Appliances
• DHCare Networks: Guidelines for the Planning of Housing for Senior Citizens