Future-proofing the home for seniors
Staying put in retirement or moving in with family, rather than moving to an agedcare facility, allows people to remain close to the communities and support networks they know.
Chances are the home will need some updating, though, such as with a wet-area shower, raised sockets, and cupboards at practical heights. Considering renovations before a person’s mobility or sight declines will make the adjustment easier.
As multi-generational households become more common, an architectural approach known as ‘‘universal design’’ is helping to create environments that provide safety and comfort for people of all ages with no need for later adaptation.
Basic guidelines:
■ Replace door knobs with levers.
■ Swap traditional taps for models with blade handles or motion controls.
■ Eliminate stairs and level changes where possible, for example by using ramps.
■ Widen hallways and doors to about 1200mm. Narrow hallways of about 900mm should be as short as possible because a person on foot will not be able to pass a user in a wheelchair.
■ Lower one vanity sink in the bathroom so it is usable for small children as well as someone in a wheelchair. A slim vanity shelf beneath the basin could replace a cabinet.
■ Consider automatic flushing mechanisms.
■ Install anti-scalding temperature controls in showers.
■ Lower wall switches.
■ Consider wall ovens with doors that open
to the side rather than fold down to the front, and lower the cook top so burners are more easily accessible by a short person or from a wheelchair.
■ Install motion-activated lighting.
If someone in the household has dementia, they may be mobile but likely to forget where they are going.
Electronic door chimes that sound throughout a home offer an easy way to stay alert to movements.
Funding for housing modifications may be available through the Ministry of Health if a resident has a disability.
More information can be found on the ministry’s website, www.moh.govt.nz