I found an article on the RIBA website about designing for the elderly. It tells how making home improvements allow elderly people to stay independent for longer, without having to go into social care. This is exactly what my client needs. She would like to stay in her home for as long as she can, so by making some home improvements for her, means that she won't have to rely on other people as much. Below is the article:
A home for life: Designing living spaces for the elderly and vulnerable
Date:
30 June 2011
RIBA publishes new guidance on designing for independence and dignity
With life expectancy rising, people will spend longer periods of their life in their own home and therefore need the best design and technology solutions that help them maintain their independence, lifestyle and dignity. (RIBA)
New designs can help elderly people stay in the comfort of their homes instead of moving to nursing homes. Nursing homes are becoming more in demand because of the rise of life expectancy, so home redesigns can help people keep their independence in their own home for longer.
The big question with design for the elderly is ‘what does the future hold?’ The standard alterations in the home at the moment are widening doorways to allow space for wheelchairs and zimmer frames, but what other things can be done to help?
On 30th June 2011, RIBA and BRE produced guidelines for architects and design professionals in designing and adapting homes to meet the needs of elderly and ill people to help them keep active and live independent lives.
The guidelines, ‘A Guide for Assisted Living’ show how design and technology can improve a person’s quality of life in effective, scalable and affordable ways.
Key design requirements are listed such as:
- Facilitating access and entry to the home through the provision of distinctive visual landmarks in external spaces, such as trees, coloured or scented plants, and the use of contrasting materials and colours on the entrance door.
- Facilitating access and entry to the home through the provision of distinctive visual landmarks in external spaces, such as trees, coloured or scented plants, and the use of contrasting materials and colours on the entrance door.
- Ironmongery that is comfortable and effortless in operation, particularly door handles and locks which should also be consistent throughout the property.
- Smooth, even and non-slip surfaces throughout the home.
- Adequate space for efficient circulation routes.
- Easily accessible plug sockets and light switches, particularly those that are located at the top and bottom of stairs.
(RIBA)
Some of the new high-tech future designs include floor sensors that detect when there is a lack of movement, which raises an alarm, and a toilet that can monitor waste materials and send reports to the person’s local doctor.
For people that are less able and spend a lot of time in bed, the following questions need to be considered:
- Can the occupant see who is at the front door when the bell rings?
- Is it possible to turn on a pivot screen television whilst lying in bed?
- Can a laptop be used in bed comfortably?
- Can the person open and close the windows?
- Is it possible to eat comfortably in bed?
- Can the lighting be adapted to the occupant’s reading habits?
(RIBA)
Ruth Reed (RIBA president) quotes:
'Good design has a vital role to play in helping elderly and vulnerable people live dignified and independent lives, and supporting the capacity and effectiveness of professional care providers to meet the needs of those they are looking after. The UK's population is ageing rapidly; one third of Britons are expected to reach age 60 or over in twenty years’ time and this will demand a new way of delivering care efficiently. If people are to be supported to remain in their homes for as long as possible, then adapting the physical environment and the way in which it is designed to meet the needs of people with different levels of mobility and capability throughout their life is essential.'
Paul Warner (Research Director at 3D Reid) quotes:
'It is important for the elderly to be connected with the outside world. As technology merges the virtual world with the real world ways of encouraging older people to softly engage with this world should be encouraged. Better specified homes will give older people more dignity and allow them to help themselves whilst being surrounded by a safer environment.'
Joe Oldman (Housing policy officer at Age UK) quotes:
'This report shows that meeting the needs of people in later life is not just about new building homes, but also about successfully adapting and upgrading existing homes. Age UK would like to see firm action from Government to embed these standards in building regulations and local guidance to ensure they are delivered consistently countrywide.
Greater recognition and understanding of the importance of home design and accessible environments could play an essential role in reducing the costs and demands made on health and social care services in the future as the ageing population rises.'
Home improvements are so important in todays society as people are living longer. Theses improvements could reduce the costs and demands on health and social care services now and in the future, as people will be able to be more independent and stay in their homes for longer without social care.
RIBA
http://www.architecture.com/NewsAndPress/News/RIBANews/News/2011/AhomeforlifeDesigninglivingspacesfortheelderlyandvulnerable.aspx
Below, I will look at ways I can help improve my client's home so that she can stay independent for longer.
My client is 80 years old and is downsizing to a ground floor flat because she was finding the stairs difficult to manage in her last house. She has had several illnesses over the last three years so it is a design priority to include some furnishings in the house that will help her if she falls ill again in the future. I have done some research and I am going to include the following products in the design.
Grabrails
B&Q
These are one of the most useful products an elderly person could have in their home. They can have as many or as little as they need and are not too expensive to buy. They can be used by doorways that have steps leading up to them, in the bedroom to help get out of bed, and in the bathroom next to the toilet and in the shower, or anywhere else they might be useful.
For my client, it is the bathroom which proves to be the place where she needs the most support. So I have decided to place a grab rail next to the toilet in case she becomes weak and needs something to hold onto to pull herself up, and also in the shower in case the tray becomes very slippery, she can hold onto the rail to stop herself from falling. I will also place one next to the shower door to help her getting in and out of the shower, but I will place it horizontally so that it can double up as a towel rail if needed.
Shower seat
Bathstore
I have found a shower seat for my client to use if she becomes ill again and is weak, so that she still has the opportunity to shower, but it will be a lot less strain being able to sit down. When she doesn't need to use the seat, it can fold away, providing more space.
Toilet
Bathstore
This toilet is designed for elderly or disabled people. It has a higher pan height so that the user doesn't have to sit as low on the seat. It also means that it is a lot easier to stand back up again afterwards. The pan height can be adjusted to suit the height of the person using it.
Double oven
Currys
Because my client didn't want to have an eye-level oven as it would reduce the amount of available work surface in the kitchen, I have found a double oven for her. As she lives on her own, she doesn't have a lot of food to cook in the oven, so she can just use the top oven for herself, meaning she doesn't have to bend down very far. But the option of another oven is there in case she ever has visitors to cook for as well.
Bibliography
http://www.architecture.com/NewsAndPress/News/RIBANews/News/2011/AhomeforlifeDesigninglivingspacesfortheelderlyandvulnerable.aspx (viewed 20th October 2011)
www.diy.com (viewed 20th October 2011)
www.bathstore.com (viewed 20th October 2011)
www.currys.co.uk (viewed 20th October 2011)
