One hopes that future generations will seamlessly inhabit spaces that naturally accommodate all stages of life, eliminating the need for home reconfiguration for ageing. Traditionally, our living environments have often overlooked considerations of ageing and accessibility. But the design concept is changing. The future is promising with durable, sustainable, and scalable design concepts. The day may come when we do not have to change our spaces to suit our age and limitations. But until then, the reality is that whether independent houses or apartments, most spaces will need a bit of change to make them more comfortable for older adults. That is also why we have so many seniority products in the market now. It’s all about living independently in your own house in your old age.
Let’s take a quick look at how we can reconfigure our living spaces to age happily and comfortably in them. These will mostly cover accessibility, safety and comfort.
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Entrances, doors and corridors
Keep the approach to the doors and entrances, doorways, and any corridors outside or within as wide as possible to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers comfortably. You could discuss this with the stakeholders even if you do not have a mobility issue. You never know when things can turn for the worse, and it should not happen so you cannot enter or move around in your house freely. Some of these changes are easily done. However, a few changes may be tedious and expensive. In such cases, you could take a call on whether to go for the changes or shift to a better and more comfortable house.
Flooring
Please ensure that the flooring is anti-skid, and if you decide to have carpets and rugs, fix them firmly. Tripping and falling due to such obstacles is common in old age. But with some thought, you can avoid the same. Avoid keeping furniture, cabins, potters, etc., where you move around often. Avoid keeping anything that has sharp edges anywhere in the house. Sharp edges can hurt you badly if you have a fall. Use age-friendly furniture.
Lighting
Please ensure proper lighting across the house, including outside your entrance. If you need to upgrade or augment your lighting fixtures, it’s worth spending for safety and security. You can also explore the smart lighting in bedrooms, corridors and bathrooms if you want to.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms must get extra focus, with anti-skid floors and mats, accessible fixtures and bright lighting. You must install grab bars in a few places and replace overhead showers with a hand-held one if you feel more comfortable. To be safer, use bath stools or chairs to ensure you don’t fall while taking a bath. Sit while bathing, use a grab bar to get up and keep your towel nearby. That way, you take maximum care to avoid falls.
Kitchen and wardrobes
Please ensure easy access to everyday items while standing with easily reachable overhead cabinets. Avoid storage cabinets where you have to bend or stretch to pick things. Or you could keep stuff in those you do not have to pull out often. A simple yet impactful change would be to install or change the handlebars of the cabinets to D-shaped ones for easier grip. Consider this change for doors also, where possible.
In wardrobes, see if you can start using storage bins where you keep daily-use studs easily accessible. You could consider pull-out drawers or pull-down rods to make it easier for you to access things.
Overall, a little thought can help us make our homes more comfortable and liveable in old age. The best part is to ensure that we do it when we do not need it and can afford it. That way, we won’t be in trouble should the need arise. Some of the changes may not be easy and may take time. We may not be able to get it done fast when there is a need. Hence, a proactive approach to ageing changes to reconfigure your space helps.
