Moving into a new home with aging parents? Or planning to live on your own as you age (a.k.a. aging in place)? Then it’s time to think about how to make your home silver-friendly. Done right, your home should peace of mind, mobility, and, ultimately, independent living for aging individuals. What do you have to look out for, you say? Glad you asked. While there are general things to look out for, each room has their own needs.

Throughout the home

For those over 65, over 85% percent of their injuries are due to falls. Of that, over 65% were at home*. A such most tips will revolve around fall prevention, followed by quality-of-life ones.

Consistent flooring

As much as practically possible, keep floors flat and the same throughout the house. The silver generation, bless them, don’t lift their feet much and some even drag their feet. Surface transitions and thresholds easily become tripping hazards. If you don’t want to break the bank (or your house), small threshold door ramps are readily available and easy to install. These make access to areas with higher or lower floor levels, like bathrooms, much easier and safer.

Rugs and mats

You know how rugs and mats occasionally come to life and grab your foot? Double-sided tape is you best friend. Keep these stuck to the floor and no one should trip on them.

Clear the access

Free up space to make it easier to move about freely. Remove anything that isn’t needed. It could be furniture, gadgets, and even pets (you read that right; pets are hazards).

Outward swinging door

In case a senior falls against a door and can’t get up, outward opening doors give easy access to rescuers to get in.

Sliding doors as opposed to swing doors

For those who get around by wheelchairs or walkers, convert doors into sliding doors. These can be made wider; no need to accommodate standard door frames, hinges, and doorknobs. Plus, it’s a boon for those who don’t have the mobility to swing a door open (try sitting down to open a door; it’ hard).

Levers

Levers for door handles and taps are easier to turn than the more commonly found round knobs. Especially helpful for those who suffer arthritis.

Widen doorways

There may be a time when wheelchairs become avoidable. Widening doorways ensure that they can get through.

* Yeo, Y. Y. C., Lee, S. K., Lim, C. Y., Quek, L. S., & Ooi, S. B. S. (2009) A review of elderly injuries seen in a Singapore emergency department, Singapore Medical Journal, 50(3), 278.

Bathroom

The bathroom is, hands down, the most dangerous part of the home; more accidents happen here than anywhere in the home. Everything in the bathroom is both hard AND slippery. More so than any other room, you want to do as much as possible to keep falls from happening.

Grab bars

Know how rails make you feel more stable and safer going up and down stairs? It’s the same thing for those who need support moving on and off the toilet or getting in and out of the bath.

Shower and tub accessibility

Bath benches or, better still, walk-in tubs make it easier and safer to get in and out of a tub. For those who are wheelchair-bound, roll-in showers are where it’s at.

Non-skid mats

You can’t have enough of these around the bathroom. Place near toilets and sinks to avoid slips and falls.

Elevated toilet seat

Not everyone is able to bend low or squat as kids do. Raised toilet seats make it more accessible for the silver generation.

Showerhead

If you don’t have the mobility, fixed showerheads make it hard to reach and wash every nook and cranny. Consider handheld ones.

Kitchen

Sharp knives. Hot ovens. Boiling water. It may be surprising that it’s not as dangerous as bathrooms, but it sure comes a close second. Accidents are prevented by keeping everything within clear sight, comfortable reach, and relative safety.

Contrasting colours

Using colours for cookware and tableware helps the silver generation register items quickly.

Cupboards

The usual cupboards won’t do; they’re difficult to reach for the less able. Put commonly used items in easy-to-reach places. Having pull-down shelving for upper cabinets and pull-out shelving for lower ones goes a long way.

Flexible hose tap

An extendible pull-out flexible hose makes it so you don’t have to reach forwards toward the tap to rinse and wash things.

Trolley

Having wheels will help move things safely between rooms.

Induction cooker

Keeping one less source of flames will reduce the likelihood of causing a fire. Of course, one still has to keep an eye on their cooking.

Grip

Things that make gripping and holding items easier. That way older folk are less likely to drop things that they’ll have to pick up.

Perching stool

Food won’t prepare itself. A perching stool will ease strain of staying on your feet while you do.

Bedroom

The room where one rests should be a place of rest, comfort, and security. The dark is anything but any of those. Reaching for the lights should be as easy as lying on the bed.

Lamps

Makes it easy to light the room without having to cross the entirety of it. Installing 2-way switches that turn on the room lights from the bed or the doorway is a pretty good idea too.

Flashlight

Sadly, there are days when the lights go completely out. This is one of those better-safe-than sorry precautions. Keep one by the bedside.

Bed Rail and Bed Raisers

As age catches up, getting in and out of bed can get challenging. A little support makes it safe and easy to do so.

Carpet

While preventing falls should be first and foremost, carpets provide protective cushioning in the event it does happen.

Wardrobes

Place commonly used items on the lower shelves and drawers. Or simply get lower height wardrobes. Don’t want to force one to keep reaching up when they’re unable.

Living Room

The living room, like that bedroom, is one of rest and relaxation. More than that though, it’s a place for socialising. Keeping them clear of clutter and well-lit reduces the chance that older folk trip and fall while they entertain guests.

Lighting

An 80-year-old needs about three times more light than a young adult. Reduce falls and accidents with more lights.

Floor finishes

Age affects eyesight and depth perception. Introduce different floor colors or finishes to denote differences in floor heights. These help to create good spatial definition which helps the elderly judge their steps better.

Electrical cords

Tangles have no place in any home. Secure wires and cables to walls to keep them out of the way and prevent trips.

Furniture

The fewer things that get in the way, the less likely of getting snagged and falling down.

Entry phone

Makes it easier to answer the door when you can’t move fast. Especially good when dealing with impatient guests.

Hallway

The hallways are one of the busiest parts of the house, with people going in and out of them no matter where they’re going. Making it easy to move around is the goal for this space.

Table

A convenient surface to put things down and keep hands free when entering the home. You want to always keep those hands ready to hold yourself up.

Stairway handrails

It’s not enough to have just one set of rails. Install them on both sides of the stairs.

Defined steps

Step edges on stairs should be clearly defined. The elderly aren’t always gifted with eagle eyes.

Anti-slip tape

An affordable and easy way to make steps to prevent slips and falls.

Low-glare lighting

Bright lighting is always a good thing but not when the light is in your eyes. Low-glare lights ensure illumination without blinding you on your way up the stairs.

Stair lift

It might seem like a luxury but if you can afford it, get it. It drastically reduces the risk of falling down staircases.

A home for everyone

You’re not at fault if all this seems a little daunting. It’s a lot. However, it allows the elderly to keep their dignity and independence around the home. In turn, their morale stays up and they’re less likely to fall into depression because of their increased need of support. For caretakers and family, it’s peace of mind knowing that their charges or parents are safe and happy even when they step out. And for everyone, that’s all anyone can ask for: a life worth living.

Silver Generation

Tips for Designing a Home for the Silver Generation