Housing...Inside and Out

August 25, 2000
Consider Housing Designs For Senior Citizens

A friendly home for young or middle-aged couples can turn into an unpleasant obstacle course with accidents just waiting to happen for older residents.

Kitchens and dining areas traditionally have served as the center of family life and often serve important social functions. They are important areas to the senior citizen in promoting the ability to stay in one's own home.

Safety and security needs are important in food preparation areas. Oven controls should be clearly marked and easily grasped. They should be located at the front of the oven or on the side so it is not necessary to reach over hot burners. There should be a place beside the oven for setting hot and/or heavy pots and pans.

Sink faucets should be clearly marked and easy to operate. "Single stick" controls seem to function particularly well. A spray nozzle permits filling of large bowls and pots from nearby work counters without lifting them into and out of the sink.

An area where meal preparation can take place while sitting down can reduce fatigue and is obviously necessary for a chair-bound individual. Slide out boards under the counter tops can help the seated worker. Organize food and storage areas to eliminate uncomfortable bending or dangerous reaching to top shelves while balancing on chairs or stools.

A kitchen-serving cart can be very useful for storage and movement of large and heavy pots and pans. Adequate counter space is needed for food preparation near the range and refrigerator.

The flooring in the food preparation areas should be safe and of a non-slip material. There should be adequate lighting for kitchen tasks. Supplemental lighting can be added under wall cabinets to better illuminate counter tops if necessary.

Consider whether a wheelchair-bound individual could operate effectively in the kitchen. Assure adequate clearances by removing under-sink panels to allow a person to wheel under it. The under-sink pipes should be adequately insulated to prevent inadvertent burns.

In the bath, the tub and sink fixtures should be clearly marked and easy to operate. A home should have a bath on each level of the house if it is more than one story. Tubs and showers should have a non-slip surface.

Install grab bars adjacent to the tub and toilet. Determine whether it is possible to place a seat in the shower and install a hand-held showerhead so that it is not necessary to stand. Check to be sure hot water pipes are adequately insulated and that the temperature of the water can be controlled to avoid accidental body burns.

Consider the possibility of installing a phone or some type of call button for potential emergencies. Determine if the bathroom door can open out to ensure that access will not be blocked in emergencies. Finally, note that a traditional shower curtain is superior to a glass shower enclosure for entering and exiting, maintenance, and safety.

For safety and security, it is essential that halls and stairways within a home be well lit, at least 3 feet wide, and free of potential hazards. The stair should be fitted with secure handrails on both sides. All throw rugs on which one could accidentally slip need to be removed. Thresholds should be minimized or eliminated if possible.

While the physical environment in which you live is important, it is not the only influence upon our behavior. The social environment is equally important. Nutritional programs, handyman and homemade services, and regular visitors are some considerations that are not normally found in your physical setting. They can often extend your capacity to live independently and productively in your own home.


Written by Dr. Francis Graham (Retired)

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