Houses are usually built for people in the physical prime of their life. But a new book profiles homes that address the needs of older people.
In a New York Times interview, Wid Chapman and Jeffrey P. Rosenfeld, the authors of Unassisted Living: Ageless Homes for Later Life, give tips on what makes a home aging-friendly:
Along with grab bars (which are frequently mentioned in your book, though none is visible in the pictures), what makes a house suitable for aging?
Mr. Chapman: A lack of thresholds as you enter. Surfaces that don’t create glare from sunlight. Obviously, accessible bathrooms and showers that have no or minimal thresholds.
Mr. Rosenfeld: Also, décor that makes for easy navigation. A minimum of surfaces where you can slip. A minimum of places where you can bump into furniture. Most of these interiors can be beautiful, but we like to think of them as streamlined so you don’t trip or fall as you cross them.
If you’re thinking of doing an aging-friendly remodel, you may also be interested in these previous Today Senior Living posts:
- Aging-in-Place Remodeling Advice: Start Early, and Don’t Skimp
- Remodeling Your Bathroom? Simple Tip to Plan for Future Needs
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Leigh Ann Otte is a freelance writer who specializes in aging issues and senior care. She covers both for the Today Senior Living blog.
