If we live in our homes, what is ‘Livable Housing?’

As our population ages, more and more people are being encouraged to live in their homes longer, which will generally lead to renovations or retro fittings to cope with the needs of aging — expensive in most cases. But it is not just aging, as every person experiencing life in a wheelchair can testify, even if it is just temporary. For those suddenly needing a wheelchair accessible home, the search can be one ‘door stop’ after another. Therefore the most cost effective way of building in allowances for those accessibility needs, is at the design stage. You’ll barely notice any extra costs. With this in mind, what should you consider incorporating?

First, a safe, clear and continuous path of travel from the street entrance and/ or your parking area to a dwelling entrance that is level and step-free. If cases where this cannot be achieved, design in a step-free entrance from the garage into your home through an 870mm wide door.

Internal doors and corridors should facilitate comfortable and unimpeded movement between spaces. Internal doors should be between 820 / 870mm and hallways need to be 1000mm clear for easy access.

In double story homes, a toilet on the ground (or entry) level which provides easy access. Bear in mind you’ll need an allowance of 1200mm between the pedestal and the opened door to accommodate ease of access. One of the bathrooms must contain a hobless shower recess, for walk in or roll in access.

Showers with a strip grate and no door are becoming very popular in modern homes. At frame stage of your construction is the perfect time to install extra nogging into the walls of bathrooms and toilets, to support the safe installation of grabrails at a later date.

In double story homes consideration should be given to stairways to insure they are designed to reduce the likelihood of injury and also enable future adaptation. Other inexpensive ideas that can be implemented, are the likes of installing light switches at a height between 900mm and 1100mm from floor level, for door and tap hardware consider fitting lever handles and specify nonslip floor coverings throughout your home.

By simply incorporating these type of features, your home will be easily adaptable (read cheaply) and future proofed for your golden years.