Designing for Different Life Stages: Part 1

Retirees: Creating a Home for Comfort and Ease

Being a designer in Florida and having retired parents, aunts, and uncles, this topic is dear to my heart. As we age, our needs and priorities change. For retirees, comfort, ease, and convenience become top priorities. In this blog post, we'll explore how to design a home that meets these needs, creating a relaxing and enjoyable space for this stage of life.

Accessibility and Safety

Grab Bars

Bathrooms can become a hazardous zone, especially when it comes to getting in and out of the shower or bathtub. One simple and effective solution is installing grab bars. Grab bars should be installed next to toilet, inside shower or bathtub, and outside of shower or bathtub. Benefits are preventing falls and injuries, improving balance and stability, enhancing independence, and reducing fear and anxiety

Toilet Grab Bar Locations

Toilet Grab Bar Locations

Shower Grab Bar Locations

Bathtub Grab Bar Locations

Non-Slip Surfaces

It is important to select the correct tile for bathroom floors. A matte finish or textured ceramic tile with a COF value of more than 0.6 can offer a good grip and slip resistance to bathroom floors.

Widening Doorways

Doorways should be no less than 32" wide but a minimum of 36" is ideal. A standard wheelchair is approximately 24"-27" wide.

Lighting

Improving lighting to reduce falls and improve visibility is another simple and effective solution. Allow natural light into the home from windows throughout. Maximize wattage in overhead lights and provide lamps where needed for additional lighting.

Comfort and Convenience

Have an open floor plan for ease of movement. Make sure main walkways are clear of furniture and rugs are not too thick and do not slip or move by using two sided tape to bound to floor.

Install a smart home technology for ease of use to turn on/off lights

Hobbies and Interests

Create dedicated spaces for hobbies such as painting or woodworking. Design a garden or outdoor space for relaxation and enjoyment. Create a cozy nook for reading in a sunroom. Incorporate storage solutions for collections or memorabilia.

Social Connection

Have a welcoming guest room for visitors or create a comfortable outdoor area for socializing. Incorporate some simple technology for staying connected to friends and loved ones/

Designing a home for retirement is about creating a space that supports and enhances this stage of life. By focusing on accessibility, comfort, convenience, hobbies, and social connection, retirees can enjoy a relaxing and fulfilling life at home.

Contact us to help prepare you or a family member in this stage of life.