Future proof your home
With planning, your home can be a safe and enjoyable place to grow old in, writes
While we’re warned to save, save, save for retirement, it’s not often we’re told to plan, plan, plan to make our homes suitable for it too.
Yet when speaking to those in their senior years – mostly my mother and her friends – two issues always seem to emerge: House layout and furniture.
Many a time she’s been left bruised and even bleeding from our sharp wooden bed frame, and has had to use the strength of our son to help hoist her off our low sofa. Last year, she suffered a fall down her apartment stairs.
Her Danish-inspired chair now has foam coverings over the sharp metal detailing to stop any cuts, and tape has been strategically placed along her swinging shower door for the same reason.
In hindsight, Mum says a onelevel house would have been a better choice, but she never would have imagined how tough things can be on the body when you get older.
‘‘You wait until you’re in your 70s and you’ll see what it’s like,’’ she said.
Geoff Penrose is the general manager of Lifemark, a company that works alongside builders and architects advising on how to build homes for all life ages and stages.
Penrose said most people don’t consider the realities of their living environment in retirement until they are in the moment.
‘‘Generally it’s not considered because we are all very poor at forward thinking,’’ he said.
The best time to start planning for this is now. And more importantly for those thinking of building a new home, it’s at the design stage Penrose said.
‘‘It will put you in a better position as you adapt to your changes,’’ he said. ‘‘For example, you may not need a grab rail to offer assistance when you get up from the toilet, but if you place the additional wood in the wall at the time of construction then there is almost no cost to install it when you need it.’’
Key areas to consider include the home’s access and making sure the entrance is step-free so it’s easy to get into the house.
The bathroom should also be on the entry level and should not include a shower over bath design to avoid unnecessary falls. Wide hallways and good lighting should be installed throughout.
In thekitchen, include more drawers than cupboards and, as much as possible, under-bench drawers.
‘‘Reaching up becomes more problematic as we age,’’ Penrose said.
Flooring choice is important. ‘‘The statistics on home falls are numbing,’’ he said.
The latest statistics show that of people aged 85 and over, 26 per cent had at least one ACC claim due to a fall.
Of those who suffered a hip fracture because of a fall, half were aged 85 and over. Women had twice as many hip fractures as men.
‘‘A home with fewer trip hazards is a safer home – this means no steps, stairs, good lighting, slip-resistant floors in wet areas and removing rugs,’’ Penrose said.
Architectural designer Jason Higham has designed several newbuilds and renovation projects and always suggests people plan for their senior years.
‘‘It’s often the opposite of what most people do, but it can be great not just for their longevity in the home but for resale,’’ he said.
One of his new builds belong to a young Canterbury couple, Melanie and Jeremy Allen, who have two young children. They asked for a home that fitted them now and for their future.
They wanted wide corridors, and spaces between kitchen benches so they can easily walk through the areas, easy-grip cavity slider doors, and level entry on to their deck.
Other small details included choosing drawers over cupboards in the kitchen and bathroom, placing light switches beside the beds, and higher plug points so they are easier to reach.
‘‘They were very forward thinking, but it all makes good common sense,’’ Higham said. ‘‘They are looking to stay in it long term but it’s added that extra benefit if they ever were to sell it.’’
Be retirement ready
Minimise trip hazards such as rugs, electrical cords and clutter on the floor.
Ensure there is adequate outdoor lighting and access to the home is clear.
Add non-slip surfaces to wet areas.
In the bathroom add grab bars, a walk-in shower, and ensure the toilet is not too low.
In the kitchen, favour drawers over cupboards.
Ensure power points and light switches are easy to reach.
Remove or replace any sharpedged furniture.