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How to Design Your Home When You Know Grandma is Moving in

July 30, 2018

A great benefit of designing your own home is that you get to tailor everything for your family’s specific needs. When you know an elderly relative is going to be living with you, there are steps you can take to make your home accommodating. Consider following the concept of universal design, which is becoming more and more popular in new housing developments. This will make your home safe, secure, and comfortable for people of all ages. As you’ll soon see, there are a lot of great options for every space in your home. Accommodating Doors and Entryways Wider doors are recommended, especially for anyone who needs to use a wheelchair or a walker. Often when designing doors and entryways, new housing developments just may not take this into consideration and homes end up with doors that are too narrow. Entryways should be at least three feet wide. Wider doors also help if you have young children as they’re easier to push a stroller through. You should try to make the stairs and hallways wider as well. Be mindful of giving others a comfortable amount of space. Another thing to consider is the choice of door knob handle. Don’t just be concerned with how the options look. Certain door handles are more difficult for people with arthritis. In these scenarios, door levers are recommended instead of round door knobs. The lever is simply easier to use. These also come in handy if your hands are slippery, or when you're carrying too many things, such as grocery bags. This is because you can use your arm instead if your hands aren’t free. And think about having a gentle slope leading up to the front door, instead of a porch step. This makes things easier for wheelchair or walker users, as well as for strollers. It’s more likely for people to trip up or down a step, or miss the step and fall. Also, think about putting something like a bench near the door in case someone wants to set things down after they walk in, or if they need to sit down to tie or untie shoes. Install Slip Resistant Floors You want to do whatever you can to avoid slips and falls. Put non-skid mats under area rugs throughout the house. If you want carpeted floor, low-pile carpeting is the safest choice for walkers. You want to make sure the walker doesn’t get caught on carpeting. Be Mindful of Stairs Make the stairs in your home as safe as possible. Absolutely install a handrail, preferably on both sides if possible. It also helps to have the edge of each step clearly marked, either by using a contrasting color or design. This will prevent anyone from tripping. And design the stairway so it has a gentle incline, which will be much easier to use at any age. Add Plenty of Light Poorly lit areas can lead to bad trips and falls. Older eyes need brighter light to increase visibility. But you want to make sure it’s not too bright, either, so you don’t hurt anyone’s eyes. For those with arthritis, illuminated rocker-type light switches are preferred over a traditional toggle light switch. Or you can add a motion sensor for hands-free lighting. Consider night light options in case someone needs to get up at night. Be sure to have emergency lights in case of power outages as well. You can also look into your options for taking advantage of natural light. Sunlight helps with depression in elderly people. It’s the best source of vitamin D and also makes it easier to absorb calcium. And, of course, taking advantage of natural light also makes your home more energy efficient. Energy efficiency is a priority at New Tradition Homes. We are the Northwest’s leader in energy efficient home building, and ensure each home is Energy Star and Built-Green certified. We know, the more sustainable your home, the healthier it is for your family, and are here to help you execute this lifestyle. Focus on Bathroom Safety No matter your age, wet floors in a bathroom can be dangerous and lead to slips and falls. So slip-resistant floors are especially useful here. You can buy a non-skid bath mat, and look into non-slip floor tiles. Install a grab bar or a handrail in the shower, as well as by the toilet, which will also help prevent slips and falls and a step-in shower is typically safer than a tub. Also consider a hand-held shower head instead of, or in addition to, a fixed showerhead. A hand-held shower head is much easier for those with limited mobility. You can also look into lever handles for faucets in both your bathroom and kitchen sinks. Consider Kitchen Convenience Since you have to use so many electronic appliances in the kitchen, install outlets where it makes the most sense. If someone has a bad back, don’t force them to bend over to charge a phone. Similarly, add lower outlets if your family member is in a wheelchair and needs to be appropriately accommodated. Also, try to have a good number of outlets throughout the house. If you have too few, you’ll end up relying on extension cords, which are easy to trip over. The kitchen should have reachable shelves as well. Overall, storage for everyday items should also be in easily accessible places throughout the house. You don’t want your elderly relative to have to rely on a step stool. Under the cabinet lights are a great option for better visibility in the kitchen counters and cooking areas. For the cooking area, consider an induction stove, which stays cool to the touch. A traditional stove could be too much of a burn hazard. Also think about the option of an open floor plan, which is very popular in new housing developments. It really opens up the space, eliminating hallways, and allowing more room for extra comfort. And it keeps everyone within view of each other. For example, you can keep an eye on your relative in the kitchen while you’re in the living room. Overall, the top priority when designing your home should be to make life as simple and safe as possible. Living in a comfortable, accommodating home will be a great privilege, and allow your relative to still feel a sense of freedom. By taking grandma’s safety and needs into consideration during the design process, she will be so much happier. And, if this is the home you plan to grow old in, you’ll be set for the future too.