7 Ideas to Design Homes That Are Senior Citizen Friendly and Safe

7 Senior Citizen Friendly Home Design Ideas 

A recent estimate indicates that the percentage of the old population in India has climbed from over 7% in 1991 to over 9% in 2016 and is anticipated to reach almost 15% by 2035. There are a lot of Senior Indian citizens coming up and we should be ready to take care of them in all aspects including having elderly-friendly homes.

When you have older or senior folks living in your house, you must incorporate interior design solutions that prioritise their safety, comfort, and accessibility.

While considering our future, we take care to invest in long-term assets, which includes purchasing a house.Our dwellings must also be prepared to accommodate the needs of the elderly.

Here are a few suggestions for creating a senior-friendly house that accommodates the demands of elderly family members without sacrificing beauty.

A clutter-free living room

The living room is where everyone congregates to enjoy a movie, celebrate an occasion, or unwind after supper. It is crucial for the elderly members of the family to be able to move about the living room without banging into furniture. It is advisable to use mobile furniture in the living room in order to give comfort and flexibility. Your house should be structured to facilitate simple navigation and mobility for the elderly, since they often become less mobile with age.

Design a safe & secure bathroom

A well-designed bathroom is perhaps the most essential element. Simple actions, such as rising from a chair or mounting stairs, become more difficult with age. Adding a few design features and paying careful attention to the details may simplify a great deal.a. Use non-slip flooring for the bathroom.c. Leather-finished flooring is a possible alternative.c. Add grab bars to offer support.d. If feasible, provide a suitable-height concrete slab in the bathing area so that senior family members may sit while bathing.

Well-illuminated bedrooms 

Bedrooms should have sufficient lighting and ventilation to promote both physical and mental health.The bedrooms must have wide windows and enough space for natural light to enter.Also, you may install motion sensor lights beneath the bed and in the bathrooms to detect and facilitate their nighttime activity.

Design functional & user-friendly kitchens

To facilitate mobility in the kitchen, the design should be practical and user-friendly.If your kitchen is spacious, avoid utilising all of the space for storage. Create instead a tiny breakfast nook where one may sit while cooking.Use materials and goods that are simple to maintain.Ensure that appliances such as the microwave and oven are conveniently accessible.

Install slip-resistant floorings

The anti-slip properties of vinyl flooring, porcelain or ceramic tiles, and hardwood flooring are shared by all three materials.

Make electrical outlets availableSo that it is easy to plug and unplug equipment, electrical outlets should be installed at the optimal height.Introduce two-way switches for bedroom lighting and fans to make them more accessible.

Provide comfy furnishings around the residence

It is essential to choose furniture that gives support and comfort.Low-height furniture might make it difficult for the elderly to sit comfortably; consequently, the elderly should choose furniture that is easier on their knees.A well-padded headboard may function as a comfy backrest in the bedroom.The chair should ideally be of normal height and have a balanced tilt.Beds must also be at an appropriate height.

Install home automation and security devices

To safeguard the safety of older folks at home, the finest security devices, including app-based ones, may be installed to monitor their well-being. A decent safety door equipped with a video phone and cctv cameras at key entry points may assist monitor visitors and notify worried family members in the event of unwelcome intruders.

Many individuals, regardless of the circumstances, prefer that their elderly relatives live with them. The aforementioned home design tips for seniors will undoubtedly assist them in making their parents' and grandparents' daily life safer and healthier.