With parents aging ,it becomes a huge responsibility to pay attention to their evolving needs, comfort, safety and security and modify their living space accordingly. It requires proactive thinking and planning to anticipate any issues they would arise with their demographic shift and satisfy their growing demands. Let us look at a few ideas on designing a room that caters and cares for elderly parents!
1) Priorities comfort and safety
Making the floor slip resistant and installing grab bars to support their movement should take the front seat. This way their mobility becomes easier and can avoid tripping over loose carpets and scattered paths. Especially in the bathrooms separating it into wet and dry areas with rubber or vinyl mats and a shower chair to support them while showering can be a huge privilege. For extra convenience a handheld shower, raised toilet seats and even hardwood benches can be added
2) Varying lighting to the rescue
Likewise proper lighting and ventilation is also needed to ensure easy breathing for those with respiratory problems and also creates an atmosphere of freshness and vitality. Adjusting the level of brightness of lights depending on the time of the day helps in improved visibility without straining the eyes. By using guide lights augmenting task lighting doing specific tasks gets less strenuous and challenging. Subtle contrasting shades can be added to increase visibility and reduce mishaps.
3) Selecting suitable furniture
Furniture items that are ergonomically designed with proper cushions,backrest ,sturdier hold can be a huge relief for elderly people. Using rounded edges with smooth finishes can avoid any accidental cuts or injuries. Buying multifunctional furniture of ideal measurements like a raised bed at around 25 inches with attached night lamp drawer and cabinets can provide easy accessibility. Sliding doors , doors with lever handles installed at the right height help in accessing doors with minimal effort. The whole furniture array must be placed strategically so it
allows navigation and access flow
4) Soothing flora and hues
Gardening is believed to provide a sense of nurture, relaxation and a bit of excitement in looking forward to the plants’ growth. Indoor plants such as Aloe Vera, snake plant, potholes and jade plant mini are excellent choices for a green aesthetic look and also act as air purifiers. A separate mini garden constructed on the balcony helps elderly parents tending to them easily approachable. Also using earthy and subdued tones of olive green, beige ,cream and khaki moss exudes a comforting and harmonious environment to live breezily. Similarly, wooden furniture like oak wood, brown maple, cherry and cedar forms an intimate connection with nature leading to
tasting true freedom and joy within the confines of their home.
5) Smart choice of smart technology
Seamless integration of smart technology like voice activated assistants, motion sensor lights and emergency alarms can offer an additional layer of security physically ,mentally and emotionally. With the circle of life elderly parents become no different than little children needing constant care and attention which can provided by a relaxing and safe habitat to live in!