Benefits of Senior-Friendly Changes to Your Home




Senior-friendly changes are recommended by occupational therapists and physicians for a better aging experience. What does ‘senior-friendly’ mean and how does it benefit our elderly? Senior-friendly is a term often talked about in the forums of design for aging. ‘Senior-friendliness’ can be said as the ability to empower seniors with independence while minimising the incidence of falls. Falls, in specificity, because it is one of the most common concerns in senior living. Needs of senior citizens at home are quite simple and straightforward. The setback lies in the need-fulfillers available to seniors. These need-fulfillers or everyday solutions cannot be easily used by seniors due to reduced physical abilities. Enter, Design For Aging.

Senior-friendly home design elements involve careful observation and study of ergonomics of seniors. These geriatrics-prescribed house modifications or additions are easy to implement but have a profound impact on seniors’ wellness. Some of these design elements lean toward safety. The rest towards wellness. These changes can be a motivational boost to independent seniors and the diligent children who have to reside apart, due to career choices or other life decisions.

Benefits of employing Design For Aging
  • Clinical benefits of reduced pain and strain on seniors’ muscles and limb strength.
  • Reduced incidences of falls. If falls occur, the impact on seniors is lowered considerably. Which we shall delve into detail below.
  • Emotional well-being of elders is taken care of with the help of colour palettes, themes and decor.
  • Memory enhancing aids in the form of colour differentiation and way-finding signage bring down frustration in seniors facing dementia.
  • Seniors can be more independent and worry-free while going about their daily activities.
  • Design For Aging supplements existing health conditions in seniors by reducing pain and aiding in movement and posture. This helps prevent worsening of health condition if any.
  • Seniors’ improved morale resulting due to the enabling of daily self-care and the fact of aging safely at home.
Impact of Design For Aging on falls among seniors

1 out of 3 elders falls at least once every year. Falls have become a concern equivalent to major diseases. This is because of the aftermath of falls are serious and painful on seniors and their day-to-day life. Falls cannot be conquered by one means alone. An integrated approach is needed to tackle falls. One of the criterion that can reduce falls is the living space arrangements.

The aspects involved in the process of Design For Aging – vision, mobility and flexibility, walk support and unhindered or unobstructed spaces make way for seniors to move around without fear of falling. A study has established that home assessment and modification reduced the risk of falls by 20%.

Caring for senior parents is facilitated better with the use of geriatric-friendly design and practices. Independence of seniors is necessary and easy to follow. Independent seniors have stronger minds and healthier lifestyles. It is a right of seniors to lead peaceful lives and not our duty to provide them with a good life.
Location: 904, 9th floor, RWD Atlantis, Nelson Manickam Rd, Metha Nagar, Aminjikarai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600029, India

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