If you have old parents moving in with you then it is important to keep a few aspects such as functionality, convenience, comfort and safety in mind. But this does not mean you need to compromise on attractive design elements that are aesthetically pleasing.
Wondering how to customise your apartment to suit the needs of the elderly? Below are a few tips to turn your apartment into a senior-friendly living space.
When you are choosing furniture, it is better to go for the round and curvy patterns. What is striking about them is they are not just safe, but they also soften the hard angles and do not occupy much of your space. So, when you place round tables at the centre you will have ample walking space. However, furniture with sharp edges and glass elements are to be avoided at all costs.
Another simple but important aspect that people usually tend to miss is the paint colour palettes. The eyesight is slightly compromised, so you must always choose bright colour palettes that do not limit the visibility during the day. Along with improved visibility, colours also play a major role in elevating the mood for many people, especially for the elderly. Many neutral colours aid in creating a comforting living space for senior citizens. Neutral and warm lighting fixtures that are not too jarring are the best for enhancing visibility during the night.
Adequate security is yet another important aspect you need to consider while designing your home for senior living. Security gadgets such as burglar alarms, smart locks, CCTV cameras and home hazard alarms are things you can install to make sure the elders in your home are always safe. As part of easy accessibility and security, always make sure steps have railings, bathrooms have seats and no wires or slippery items lying around in the house. Make sure first-aid kits and emergency systems are in place in case of any accidents.
Most accidents at home happen due to slippery floors. So, you must be very careful about the flooring models you use in your home, it is always better to go for flooring models that are not slippery. Although marble and ceramic flooring are very aesthetic, they can be very slippery and do not give sufficient grip for walking. So, you might want to go with vinyl or honed tiles and water-resistant tiles for the bathrooms. Add carpets in case you do go for polished stone tiles. Add adequate lighting in all walking areas and make sure the lighting system is evenly distributed All the elements you place in your home must contribute to a comfortable atmosphere for senior citizens. So keep an extra eye on everything that you implement.
