Health Articles

by Tharien van Eck, AWC Antwerp, Health Team Co-Chair Co-Chair, and member of the FAWCO Elder Care WhatsApp group

My inspiration for this checklist came from an article describing various aspects to consider when planning or adjusting space for the elderly, or perhaps for ourselves as we become older. I found more information in a few other articles, and the FAWCO Elder Care WhatsApp Team added from their own experiences. The intent is for this to be a living document, adding information that we have not included yet.    

Be mindful of the most common impairments when choosing a house or assisting an older person – impaired vision, hearing loss, decreased mobility, incontinence, dementia, etc. 

1. Structural design elements to consider:
   1. Single story rather than double story house.  
   2. Where a double story is the only or best choice, look at the staircase with the long-term vision of being able to add a stairlift; avoid spiral staircases when possible or consider installing an elevator.   
   3. Open-plan living space with wide walkways/passages.
   4. Doors wide enough to allow for a wheelchair/walker.  
   5. Be mindful of acoustics – soft furnishings and patterned wallpaper help absorb sound. 
   6. Consider remote-controlled blinds and windows. 
   7. Easy to use door handles/knobs. 
2. Lighting
   1. Allow for strong lighting, both roof, wall and reading lights. 
   2. Rooms must be well-lit to prevent slips, trips and falls. 
   3. Make sure that light switches are easily accessible. 
   4. Install brighter bulbs in areas where reading or hand work will be done. 
   5. Install night lights/motion detector lights in passages/rooms for night time. 
3. Stairs
   1. Add sturdy handrails, on both sides, in a staircase to support going up and down.  
   2. Add fluorescent strips to the edges of all stairs.  Some of them come with a gritty surface to prevent slipping. 
   3. Clearly mark the bottom step of the staircase to prevent slipping. 
4. Bathroom (one of the places in the home where most accidents occur):
   1. Toilet area: 
      1. Install grab bars in the toilet that will enable getting up from the toilet seat. 
      2. Consider increasing the height of the toilet to make it easier to get up from.
   2. Bath/shower: 
      1. Avoid baths as getting in and out can become quite precarious. Or make provision for a walk-in bath.  
      2. A walk-in shower, at floor level, is a better option. Ensure that the entrance is wide enough to allow for a wheelchair or walker. 
      3. Put non-slip mats in the shower/bath.  
      4. Add a seat in the shower area. 
   3. Grab bars everywhere in the bathroom – around the toilet area, bath and in the shower.  
5. Interior planning:
   1. Declutter rooms to ensure that there is space for wheelchairs and to move around with a walking aid.  
   2. Floors:
      1. Solid matte-colored floors are better than high gloss and busy, patterned floors.
      2. Avoid uneven surfaces and loose lying carpets. Rather choose carpets with a low pile and ones that are non-slip.    
   3. Furniture planning 
      1. Chair planning is important; consider varying seat heights, chairs with sturdy arm rests and potential ergonomic support. It is important to ensure that it will be easy to get in and out of chairs.
      2. Choose a recliner chair that can tip forward enough to make getting out of it easier.
      3. Choose, where possible, round-edged furniture to reduce injuries.
      4. Use easy to clean fabric/coverings on chairs and coaches; consider darker colored seats and spill and stain resistant materials.     
      5. Bed height – ensure that it is easy to get in and out of bed. A lower bed may be a better option if someone tends to fall out of bed. The ideal would be for the bed height to be the same as that of a wheelchair. 
   4. Kitchen layout
      1. Frequently used objects should be placed within easy reach.
      2. Ensure that kitchen appliances are easy to understand. 
      3. Install easy-to-use faucets, preferably with a handle rather than a knob.
6. Other aspects to consider:
   1. Emergencies:
      1. Keep emergency contacts close at hand, perhaps on a notice board in a prominent place. Ensure that the information is typed in a large print so that it is easy to read.  
      2. Put together a list of things that will need to be said in the relevant foreign language in case of an emergency or if the emergency number must be called.  
   2. Medications: 
      1. Keep it in the original packaging and placed so that it is easy to access. 
      2. Keep an up-to-date list of all medications used, with the correct dosage. Include OTC supplements.
      3. Have a list with the names of medical professionals – general practitioner, dentist, physiotherapist, chiropodist, etc. 
   3. Emotional well-being: personalize the house/apartment with familiar items, ornaments and photos to ensure that there is a sense of belonging.  
   4. Phone/cellular phone – consider a larger phone with bigger buttons.  
   5. If you don't want to get up to answer phone calls from unknown numbers, see if you can set your phone to announce the caller instead of just a ringtone.

Sources:

• A Space for All Ages: Socially Inclusive Architecture at Work | Ideas | HMC Architects
• Planning for Retirement: House Plans for Seniors
• 10 expert-approved tips to create a safe and comfortable home environment for elderly care - Lifestyle News

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