According to the AARP, nearly 90 percent of adults over 65 want to remain in their current homes as they grow older. (They just don’t want any tell-tale modifications drawing attention to their age.)
The good news is: Universal Design Principles are truly becoming universal. Design features which accommodate a variety of physical abilities are increasingly being incorporated into both new and remodeled home designs. A home designed with safety in mind can also be aesthetically pleasing.
If you’d like to age in place, or are looking for a home where you can, here are some things you can start thinking about/planning for now.
- Easy access
- Room to move
Excess furniture creates obstacles and impedes mobility. Decluttering is the simplest way to make your home significantly safer. Remove things that are easy to trip over — or bump into.
- Light at the right height.
Placing light switches at wheel-chair height makes it easier to turn the lights on. You’ll also want to think about adding automatic night-lights in bedrooms, hallways and bathrooms.
- Bed + bath on the main floor.
Plan to have the master bedroom and a full bath on the main floor. Create it as a guest suite now, and you’ll appreciate having it when you need it.
Whether you’re thinking of aging-in-place in your current home or downsizing to a new one, things always works best when you start early – and get space-planning help. As a Certified Senior Move Manager/Interior Designer On The Move can design a space you’ll love to live in.
