The growth in the number of mature aged 65 and over will double over the next 25 years. This statistic creates a demographic unprecedented in the history of America, as indicated in the state of aging and health in America.What happens when 20% of the population is older? What are the consequences of this growing statistic?Of course, there are many possible outcomes for an increased population of older people—health care costs at the top of the list. But what about the housing of people whose mobility can be compromised? What does the aging of the population require in terms of living facilities and housing?Architects have a whole new role to play when it comes to designing for this audience. With a set of unique living standards and needs, architects have faced exciting new design challenges for the elderly and they are inventing new modern and ingenious plans.Here we will see how architects are responding to this unprecedented demand for design for an aging population:
Designs to support mobility
Architect David Dillard had the right idea when he asked some of his designers to move into a nursing home to gain first-hand knowledge of the life difficulties that older people face on a daily basis. This is the kind of thoughtful innovation that architects will need to understand the needs of the aging population and how best to meet these needs besoins.La mobility is one of the biggest challenges faced by designers. To make a house more accessible, architects design continuously; designs with larger hallways or more open floor plans; designs with wider doors; designs with entrances without steps; designs with lower sinks and security showers and bathtubs, and even designs with wireless video surveillance so that family members can catch falls or problems.Ingenuity is a must! Architects who adopt new designs and new ideas are the ones who will succeed in this growing niche of home design.
Renovation Of Homes For The Elderly
It is not because we are getting older that we are ready to give up independence. Most often, the aging population chooses to age on the spot. This means that sometimes designers and architects have to work within the boundaries of current housing plans— find ways to transform the current house into a safer and more functional home for the elderly.Remodeling may require breaking down the walls to allow for a more open floor plan with fewer obstacles; it may also require new lighting systems and new larger windows to optimize the lighting of the homes.In in general, aging in place requires careful thought about the changes your home needs to make it safe and pleasant. This article on aging in place offers many interesting ideas for home remodeling, allowing older people to enjoy many years to come in their current home.
Lighting Up A Home For Seniors
Lighting for the elderly is something new for architects and lighting planners to consider, especially since poor lighting can lead to accidents and falls. As people get older, they experience a plethora of vision problems due to macular degeneration, neurodegeneration and a decrease in the illumination of the retina (essentially, smaller pupils and a thicker lens make everything less vivid and bright).The designer, Eunice Noelle-Waggoner, offers excellent advice on lighting design for the elderly. Waggoner points out that older people have a very different idea of what is attractive and functional when it comes to optimal lighting. Older people prefer light sources protected by a lampshade that attenuates harsh reflections, and they prefer general ambient light to spectacular high-contrast lighting. The main thing is that high-quality light is needed throughout the house-LED or fluorescent lamps are probably the best, and large windows are a must.In in general, older people need more light to make their home functional. The house should be well lit along the walls, ceilings, corridors and stairs— ensuring a stunning view and optimal safety.
Color Drawings For The Elderly
As we discussed above, as people get older, their vision decreases. The good news is that the colors used in a home can actually help improve the visibility of an elderly person.High-contrast colors can really help a visually impaired person-for example, a dark color on the bathroom walls makes it easy for an elderly person to see the white toilet seat or porcelain sink blanche.La color also affects the mood. Older people can become depressed or lonely when they begin to feel cut off from the outside world. Soft pinks and greens can help you feel at peace, while reds and oranges can improve energy levels. What a simple solution that can have profound effects! Overall, color can significantly increase the joy that older people feel in their homes, so consider adding this tool to your senior living plan.
The elderly population is about to double in the next 25 years, so custom home design that improves the quality of life will be something on every architect’s radar. Architects need to design for the aging population with inventive ideas that help with mobility and ease of use.By having the right lighting, designs that optimize mobility and renovation plans that make a house functional-the elderly can age happily on site during their retirement years.Do do you know of any not-known designs that have distracted architects or designers to help the elderly?
