A Well-Lit Space
Many homeowners are choosing to either retrofit their homes to include some well-established principles of universal design or custom build to create a safe and comfortable home they can remain in as they age in place. It’s difficult to imagine what you’ll need to ensure your home is always a safe haven as you age, here are a few things to consider.
For seniors, it’s important to keep indoor temperatures mild, as it is possible to experience hypothermia and heatstroke indoors. If mobility within the home is limited, smart thermostats allow you to manage the temperature without getting up and manually changing the settings. Smart lights are a good idea for aging homeowners as you can quickly turn lights on with your voice or smartphone when you need to get up, preventing falls and injuries caused by unseen objects in the dark. A little bit of planning means your dream home can be a safe place for many years to come.
A dark room is an invitation to a bump or a fall, so make sure there’s adequate lighting in every room, hallway, and doorway. Entryways are especially dangerous if not well lit.
Safe Welcome
Fumbling with keys, packages, the mail — all can distract and unbalance someone entering or exiting a home. In addition to providing lighting at entryways, be sure to have a table, bench, or other surface nearby for putting things down. Your exterior entry should have good lighting and some protection from the weather, whether it’s an enclosed porch or an awning or canopy over the front door.
Build It In
Consider “building in” for the future. Plan your custom home with your future self in mind. Make sure doorways and entrances are accessible, and modifications are easy to add as you age in place.
Safe Stairs or One Level
Better Baths
If you’re planning a new build, consider one level. As we age, living on more than one level stairs can be especially dangerous. Handrails are a must, on both sides of the staircase if possible. Lighting is also critical, so make sure the entire stairway is well lit from top to bottom. Clearly defined steps that show where the edge of the tread is can help prevent falls.
Most people think of shower grab bars as the best way to make bathing safer, which is as simple as choosing a step-in shower rather than a tub. Single-handled faucet control reduces the chances of scalding at the sink, and a pressure-balanced control does the same in the shower. The addition of a handheld showerhead is often easier to use than a fixed shower head.
Friendly Floors
Smart Home
Flooring should be level throughout the home, avoid thresholds or transitions that can become tripping hazards. All floors should be made slip-resistant, such as by adding non-skid mats under area rugs (or getting rid of the area rugs completely).
Darren MacKenzie Master Builder/Owner MacKenzie Builder Services Ltd.
The benefits of smart home tech extend beyond the individuals
themselves and offer benefits to family, friends, neighbours, first responders and more. Smart home devices offer the ability to manage a home from a mobile device in the comfort of a bed or seat. For example, if someone was at the front door, they could see who it is, talk with them to confirm, and unlock the door without getting up and risking injury. Smart locks are particularly helpful if there is an emergency. A care provider, neighbour, or first responder can be easily granted access from an authorized mobile device without having to physically damage the property to get in.
Easy on the Hands
You probably don’t think much about turning a doorknob, but it can actually be quite a chore, even painful, for someone with arthritis or other conditions. Simply replacing doorknobs with lever-style hardware can make life easier for residents. Levers are also best on faucets and illuminated rocker switches are better than the standard toggle light switches.
MacKenzie Builder Services Ltd. 262 Howe Point Road, Eglington 902.687.1508 C: 902.969.0425 darren@mackenziebuilders.ca www.mackenziebuilders.ca
WINTER 2020 www.pei-living.ca
57
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker