Good Lifestyle

An increasing population segment is aging, and with this demographic change has come a renewed interest in the Elderly needs . According to a 2021 AARP survey , 75% of adults aged 50 and over hope to stay at home as a long -term choice. “Multi-generational” houses are in increasing demand, leading to an increasing objective of architecture and design which considers elders with limited mobility as well as private life and ease of life for everyone.

Of course, not everyone can design their own house. Some elderly plan to reduce or move to a condo or senior community . But if you plan to stay at home in the foreseeable future, you may want to consider making changes so that you - and your friends and family - you can stay safe and active at home, even with physical limitations which can have a more advanced age. Read the rest to hear the house and senior experts on the 10 upgrades of the house you should do if you are over 65 years old.

Read this then: 5 bedding improvements you should make if you are over 60 years old, according to experts .

"Smart Home Tech is a great way to make your life easier in the house, because you can control domestic devices with a tablet or a smartphone," said AARON GREEN , owner at Essential house and garden . "Domestic systems to light the lights or heating allow you to be more independent. In addition, medical alert systems such as autumn detectors and environmental surveillance systems could be crucial."

Lucia Chang , owner and founder of Senior wing , which provides information to help the elderly to live independently, suggests installing a smart domestic security system or a bell so that you can see who is at your door wherever you are. "Make sure that the doorbell is strong enough to hear all the parts. Some smart locks allow you to give a caregiver a temporary code to enter by themselves, if you wish," she said.

Whole systems like Alexa have options that work well for the elderly. Amazon Alexa Together The subscription, for example, uses a combination of wireless vocal technology, GPS monitoring and advanced sensory components to detect falls and provide hands -free access to an emergency response. It is a powerful medical alert option for a disabled person.

Lighting may not be what you think first, but if you are over 65, you will want to make sure that your space is very well lit.

"Really, I have never met any space that was also brilliant, "said Robin Burrill , certified specialist in aging in place with the National Association of House Manufacturers and the CEO / Principal designer for Signature home services . "This is particularly true where there is a change of height, stairs from top to bottom inside or outside. We tend to make ourselves, and as we age to do not Not collect our feet as much, so having this light can be a reminder. "

Burrill also recommends the lighting of motion sensors, you will therefore avoid groping the lighting switch in the dark. "It is particularly ideal for gateways outside or even in the areas of the house which say that you are not going often. And that these lights arrive outside when you leave the pets is a plus Added. "

Read this then: The 6 best small towns to retire . AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

The kitchen is another area that we can neglect, but it is a space with several barriers to comfort and function.

"Depending on the height of the individual, increasing or lowering the height of the counters in the kitchen is very popular," explains Burrill. "For those who choose to stay at home, they are not concerned about resale, so they just make their own." People in wheelchairs or who must sit during cooking may require lower counters, while larger people can have fewer mastered with higher meters.

The devices are also important. "Considering different types of ovens is essential. Being able to place ovens at different peaks - this can make the difference in the world," notes Burrill. "Obtaining dishwasher drawers instead of full-height dishwasher is also an option for those who have bad back or who do not need it." And today, refrigerators and freezers are available in all different configurations, so it is easy to find one that suits your needs.

The storage spaces that do not require lifting of items in aerial cabinets, as well as drawers and snatch trays, also make the kitchen easier to taste.

The bathrooms are sadly famous causing falls Due to wet soils. The bathroom can also be difficult to navigate for the elderly who cannot easily lift and lower themselves in restricted areas. A step-in shower (with a portable or integrated seat or bench) is a much better option than having to pass over a bathtub wall. A shower in hand in addition to an aerial spray is also essential.

"Installing entry bars in the shower and anywhere else where a person may need stability is an excellent start", shares Michael Green , MD, OB / GYN and chief doctor In Winona, an anti-aging well-being center founded with women. "The increase in its toilet seat is another safety feature because it shortens the distance that a person must bend to reach it. You can also consider adhering a resistant texture to the bottom of your bathtub or your Shower, because carpets can cause danger trigger. "

For more aging advice delivered directly in your reception box, Register for our daily newsletter .

Another upgrade you may not think otherwise before it is necessary: users to accommodate a wheelchair. The doors can be modified to suit your home style; Sliding pocket doors, for example, work well in wider doors. "For easier navigation with wheelchairs or other large mobility aids, open the key rooms if necessary, as by removing a kitchen island," adds Chang.

Although the carpet may seem soft and comfortable, it is easy to be stumbled on it. "To accommodate roller mobility devices, replace the carpet with smooth and hard floors, but avoid slippery surfaces such as marble, painted floors or wax varnish", advises Chang. Fresh wood floors are also easier to clean than carpets, and they are less likely to feed dust and allergens.

Chang also advises to use zone carpets, "which can slide easily". If you have, make sure that the carpets have rubber pads below to keep them firmly anchored in place.

Read this then: 7 home hunting tips if you are over 60 years old, according to real estate experts .

The relocation of the 18-inch sockets above the ground level makes them easier to reach in standing or seated position. And although the position of your equipment is probably ok, round door handles on doors, cabinets and drawers can be difficult to turn or grasp. Burrill suggests replacing all handles throughout your home with levers, pull -ups or doors and drawers in force.

The ideal multi-generational house would be a house on one floor, but it is not always possible. If you have a house on several floors, "organize a bedroom and a full bathroom to be on the floor with the kitchen", suggests Chang. "This configuration allows you to avoid using the stairs if you meet mobility challenges or if you recover from surgery." Laundry facilities must also be located here.

Read this then: Never include these 2 things in your will, warn the experts .

Another option for houses with unmanageable stairs is to install a staircase. "A staircase elevator is a motorized chair that moves along a track mounted on your stairs, allowing you to go up and down easily and easily," explains Diana Cox , founder of Gardening speech . "Staircases are available in various models and can be personalized to meet your specific needs and budget." For entries with a few steps, the installation of a ramp is another intelligent idea.

Everyone likes to spend time outside, and if your house has a garden or a courtyard, it's a great way to move and soak up the sun. Making accessible outdoor spaces offers you more options to enjoy outdoor life. Use lights that come on automatically after nightfall. For gardeners, create raised garden boxes instead of flower beds at the ground to avoid leaning to take care of the greenery. Buy or build stable seats options for garden work.

As an additional luxury, Burrill suggests heated exterior alleys: "Even in Texas, there were some times when I would have liked not to have a frozen sidewalk."