sexy home design for aging in place preparation

Today, I want to discuss a juicy topic: home design for aging in place. Okay, maybe it isn’t the topic everyone wants to discuss, but it’s important, especially for those of us who are hoping to have the privilege of aging and living a full life. Now, if you’ve watched John Oliver, or have a family member who has considered some sort of living facility, you’ll probably be aware of at least some of the horrors the later years of life can look like if one doesn’t stay in their home. 

It’s not quite the dream of what most envision their hard earned pension (remember those?) going towards. And although there’s plenty to bitch and moan about around nursing homes and the like, I’ll try to keep today’s programming to the actual parts I have degrees and experience to back up: interior design and psychology. But before that, I do want to say, who can blame people for wanting to stay in their home? Moving is commonly cited as one of the most stressful life events. And in the United States, we believe in freedom and independence above all (hypothetically), right? So in case you’ve been frustrated with someone in your life not giving up their home, let’s reserve a bit of sympathy after they’ve been steeped in this cultural messaging. 

Okay sooo, let’s say your parents are discussing their future living arrangements. Between their health and their desires, staying at home for as long as possible is the goal. That’s fantastic! However, there are probably some changes that need to happen to fully support them, and to make everyone a bit more comfortable and confident proceeding. There’s a lot to consider and this isn’t an exhaustive list, but is a good starting place before any major health concerns arise. I’ll keep it to the home for now, and their doctors or other resources can fill you in on other specifics that might be helpful for now or down the road.

If you’re planning ahead, you may not fully know what to prioritize adjusting in the home. It’s good to start anticipating to the best of your ability what factors will need to be addressed in the short and term. If someone has difficulty with background noise, that’s something that can be addressed in home design. Many recommend and prefer one-level living. Perhaps cooking is a crucial daily activity. Everyone is going to have different needs and desires that can be considered in retirement or years earlier. It’s great to identify these early on to use as a guide, while keeping in mind other health and lifestyle factors will likely pop up and influence your approach. 

As for design, a lot of aging in place recommendations lack the sex appeal. Much of it is out of pure functionality, especially when safety is a top concern. However, not everyone is at the stage where grab bars are the top necessity. Here are some of my recommendations for those who don’t need as much support or are planning further out into the future.

flooring

A top component to interrogate is flooring. The type of flooring that can aid in movement and instill confidence. A handful of years ago, I assisted my grandparents update their bathroom. One feature that I really wanted to incorporate into the design was penny tiles, specifically on the shower floor. Why? Well, they allow more surface area for grout which our feet are able to grip better, helping minimize slips and falls. This is an important factor when it comes to bathrooms where water has a constant presence. However, tile generally is a lot harder on joints and is one of the worst surfaces for potential falls so be cautious of incorporating tile in other applications. Throughout other areas of the home, lower pile carpet or rugs can make it easier to navigate with mobility devices such as canes or wheelchairs. 

furniture

When selecting furniture, increasing the amount of soft materials like upholstered furniture and rugs helps reduce echos. Noise reduction enhances socializing, which is commonly overlooked, supports memory, and those with hearing loss. It also doesn’t hurt that there’s some extra cushion if balance is a concern (pun intended). One thing to be wary of is having too much or too bulky furniture pieces. This can crowd a room and limit easy navigation. Arranging walkways to have clearance between 40-42" is a good rule of thumb to improve movement. And if you can keep the main seating area within a 12’ footprint, this reinforces easy conversing to limit yelling across a larger area. Improving social interaction can reduce depression, agitation, anxiety, aggression, and even slow cognitive decline. 

lighting

Although this piece of advice applies in nearly all life scenarios, it’s worth saying here. Warm, soft lighting is supportive psychologically and boosts memory. Ensure bulbs are 2700-3000 Kelvin (usually labeled as soft light, but is worth double checking the Kelvin rating). Research shows this is comforting and reduces stress, increases creativity, and intimacy (sexually or otherwise). All of which are important for supporting holistic health, and are not always taken into consideration. It’s also worth taking into account replacing commonly used items like outlets and light switches in a contrasting color and material to the walls. Instead of plastic, think of a sexy metal (afterall, we all deserve sensual experiences)! It will look great and make them easy to find. 

smart technology

Utilizing voice-activated features in smart home set ups can be a game changer. As someone with poor vision myself, being able to simply ask to turn lights on before getting out of bed for a middle of the night pee is quite a safety feature. My partner and I also enjoy automating our lights to mimic sunrises and sunset to support sleep routines. Although routines might get a bad wrap for being boring, they can be quite helpful to structure a day, especially when retirement frees up an additional 40 hours a week. Many systems can even make calls, assisting in emergency situations or casual chats. And I know many folks who enjoy requesting their speaker to play their favorite music.

As said earlier, this is not an exhaustive list and everyone is going to have unique needs and desires that should be explored to best enhance their lifestyle. If you’re preparing for aging in place for yourself or others, some minor renovations or material selections can support health now and make a large impact down the road, when it might be too intrusive otherwise to consider. This foundation will compliment other features that are commonly recommended for aging in place if and when it’s necessary for inclusion. 

If you found this helpful and are looking for more support in home design, I offer virtual consultations and various services. We can explore individual solutions to introduce into your home to make it a more supportive space where you’ll thrive.