If you are building a custom home, there is a high chance that you want to stay in it for a long time. There’s a possibility that you would like to stay in your new home for the rest of your life. However, if this is the case, then there are some things that you need to think about as you are working on designing and building your new custom home.
Today, we’re going to talk about how to plan for aging in a custom home. At one point, everyone will become a senior. It’s at this time, you’ll want to make sure that you can live independently for as long as possible and this can be done now as you work to build a new home. Aging in place can be done with simple design changes in each area of the home. In the end, you’ll be better able to prevent falls, encourage socialization, and even extend life as you grow older.
Mobility Accessible Design Choices
When you age, there is a chance that your mobility will become limited. While no one wants to talk about these changes, it’s important to think about them in terms of your home design. Start with the doors, for example. Using a lever-style door will enable you to open doors easier if your grip becomes limited. In addition, rocker light switches will be better than a toggle switch for the same reason. Going further, windows that open like a door will be better than windows that must be pushed up.
Technology Is Better Than Ever
Back in the old days, as some might say, technology couldn’t help the average person age in place. Now, however, advances in technology have made living as a senior many times easier than before. Think about using smart technology for your door locks, temperature gauges, and even lighting. However, make sure that you can control the devices from a larger tablet so that should your eyesight be limited, the tools will still be usable. Lastly, think about the risks, malfunctions, and costs associated with updating these devices over time.
Hidden Fall Protection
Fall protection doesn’t have to be railings throughout your home. Think about wainscoting, chair rails, or shelves as an alternative. These are all graspable while not looking like they are just in place for fall protection. Furthermore, opt for soft and smooth surfaces like cork, rubber, and linoleum. They are better on joins but won’t pose a trip hazard like padded carpet will. Lastly, think about keeping level changes to a minimum. While a recessed living room might sound good, that extra step could be an issue in the future.
There are hundreds of ways to implement smart design into your home. As a design-build firm for custom homes, we’d love to walk you through the ways you can make other areas of your home ready for aging in place. We can also help you with growing children and eco-conscious designing if those are in your needs.
