The pandemic left a negative impression on all of us, but most notably on those 55+. For our seniors in nursing facilities, it was incredibly disheartening with no or limited visitation. No one dreams about living in such a facility. This got me thinking – what features will help us at age at home for longer, perhaps even until the end of our life.
THE SHOWER
Let’s start with the shower. I like to think “spa-like” rather than designed for “old-age.” Either way, that means an awesome seat, great shower heads including a handheld shower head. If possible, it should have a zero-threshold entry that is both luxurious and easy to use.
AMPLE ARTIFICIAL LIGHT
A natural part of aging is the thickening of the lens of the eye. It is a gradual process that starts at age thirty. By age sixty, this buyer needs six times as much light as a 20-year-old. The good news is that adding light is beautiful and uplifting. All houses look better when well lit!
Be thoughtful about lighting. In the bathroom, add lit mirrors and a step light in the toilet room—a great way to easily find it in the wee hours of the morning.
In the kitchen, I like four layers of lighting:
Under cabinet lights for task lighting
Pendant lights over the island as both decorative task lighting
Puck lights in the glass upper cabinets for ambient lights
Recessed can lights in the kitchen for the maximum light
And don’t forget the lighting in the closet. One overhead light won’t illuminate two rows of hanging properly. Add led strip lights above each row of hanging rods. I’m quite sure even a twenty-year-old would love this!
Another area is on your stairwell. Step lights make them safer at night for all ages.
AMPLE NATURAL LIGHT
If you are currently building a home, go ahead and add that extra window in the bedroom or great room. Especially if the extras windows can view something beautiful. Add high glass in the bathroom – above or between the mirror – above the shower and in the toilet room. If there is a room in your existing home, adding a window to a dark room that you spend a lot of time in is worth the investment.
THE PRIMARY SUITE
Having the primary suite on the main level is a nice luxury for any age. But the 55+ individual, who lives in a three-story home, should investigate the possibility of an elevator should the primary be located on an upper floor. Or perhaps you have space to add a small addition to the home or convert a room (or rooms) on the ground floor into a beautiful and highly functional primary suite.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Everyone, young and old, appreciates outdoor living. For many, a backyard to garden in is truly therapeutic. As we age, consider constructing raised beds for growing vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Adding landscape lights will extend the view of the great outdoors into the evening. Perhaps extend your deck or patio making this area of your home more inviting. Few things beat fresh air and warm sunshine—and I swear, as a 55+ person, the great outdoors has a magical force that just makes you feel more vibrant, and yes, even younger.
Let’s face it, we all want to be full of vitality as we age. After our twenties, no one really wants to grow older, but it is inevitable. Nonetheless, thoughtful, wise decisions on design if you are in the process of building or taking the initiative to move forward with a remodel to make your home more suitable for the next chapter of your life, will extend the opportunity for you to age in place. After all, there is no place like home!
Adapted from Housing Design Matters Blog