Designing spaces to meet the needs of the elderly and physically challenged has long been an interest, one that came home to roost when my father moved in two years ago at the age of 96.
For six months the modestly modified spaces we had to offer seemed to work. His main-floor bedroom, complete with remote-controlled adjustable bed, was, with the aid of his walker, mere steps from his bathroom. We installed a toilet with a high seat in deference to his unreliable knees. There were grab bars in the toilet area and in the tub, which was also outfitted with a hand-held shower and rubber footed shower chair.
There were daily visits from personal care workers who helped with bathing and dressing. After several scary falls, however, some in the middle of the night when we were asleep, we had to accept we weren't equipped to keep him safe at home. (I'm happy to say he's now terrorizing an Ottawa nursing home on his three-wheel, apple-red motorized scooter and looking forward to his 99th birthday.)
When I heard about a new Toronto company, Stay In Place Renovations, which is dedicated to modifying homes so that seniors can stay there longer, it resonated with me personally as well as professionally.
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Jack Singer, president of the firm, has been renovating homes for 20 years and says he noticed a trend where he was "increasingly seeing renovation projects where the home owners were struggling with the basics." He realized that what was needed "was a company that specialized in tailoring existing family homes to meet those special needs we all face as we age."
Any member of the aging baby-boomer demographic will likely agree that this need is only going to increase in spades in years ahead. We should all start planning now. The more frequently requested renovations handled by Mr. Singer's company offer a guide as to what to consider, such as:
- Widening doorways to accommodate wheelchairs and make the use of walkers more comfortable;
- Raising the height of electrical sockets and lowering those of light switches so they are accessible from a seated position;
- Lowering kitchen and bathroom cabinets and counters;
- Installing ramps;
- Removing mould, which can play havoc with respiratory systems;
- Removing hazards and impediments from exterior pathways and the yard;
- Increasing lighting levels (especially for those who are vision-impaired);
- Installing speaker systems with remote controls (especially for the hearing-impaired);
- Installing elevators and/or stair glides;
- Installing safety or Plexiglas under deck railings to improve sightlines for people who are seated.
Other ideas worth considering include these suggestions:
- For the hearing-impaired, install a flashing light connected to the phone system and the doorbell to indicate a call or a knock.
- Install an intercom system to ease communication between areas of the home.
- Install call buttons in bathrooms so you can ring for help if you fall while bathing.
- Contact groups dedicated to improving the quality of life for the elderly and the disabled; find out what services they offer and inform yourself about safety and security standards
Because the level of customization each person needs or wants can vary widely, it's difficult to attach a ballpark estimate to the cost of making your home more elder-friendly, or better equipped for someone who is disabled. Some of the changes listed here require only a modest investment of time and money, while others — such as installing an elevator or repositioning kitchen cabinets — can cost thousands and take many weeks to complete.
Search out local contractors who have experience with these sorts of renovations. Ask them if they're willing to go beyond the requirements of your local building codes, which is usually based on minimum standards. Their answer should be a resounding "yes."
At Stay in PlaceRenovations, "the aim is to deliver the absolute best results within a senior's financial restrictions" says Mr. Singer, and to "restore and maintain quality of life and preserve an independence that [the client has] always treasured."
Any contractor would do well to echo this philosophy, so don't hesitate to make it part of your criteria when shopping around for a professional to tackle your renovation needs.
For more information
In the GTA, Stay in Place Renovations can be contacted through its website (stayinplacerenovations.com), or by phoning 416-631-6419.
For a renovation resource guide, consult the Canadian Home Builders' Association website (www.chba.ca, and click on "Renovating Your Home").
For information about residential care services for senior citizens in Ontario, check out the Ministry of Health website (www.health.gov.on.ca).
Specialty organizations include:
Canadian Association for the 50 Plus (CARP), www.carp.ca, or 1-800-363-9736.
Canadian Association on Gerontology, www.cagacg.ca, or 1-613-271-1083.
Canadian National Institute for the Blind, www.cnib.ca, or 1-800-563-2642.
Canadian Disabled Individuals Association, www.disabledindividuals.ca, or 1-604-301-1029.
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