Redesigning Homes for Golden Years: Creating Safe Havens with a Playful Touch

Today, I want to share with you a project I'm currently working on: a home modification designed for senior living.

Anyone who has been by the side of a grandparent in their golden years knows how challenging simple tasks can become. Considerations about whether to stand up, take a few more steps, bend down, or even to shower frequently are real concerns. In such situations, the placement of items, easy access, and the effort required to retrieve anything all matter significantly.

This article, however, isn't just for seniors or those frequently hosting elderly parents—it has lessons for all of us. We often start thinking practically only when we have no choice: when every action takes five minutes, we strive to reduce it to one. Yet, all of us could save time and effort unnecessarily spent, even if it's only 30 seconds here and there, as these moments add up significantly. It saves time we could spend on much better activities.

There are many points to consider, and as the renovation plans progress, perhaps we'll delve into more detailed articles along with design specifics. And, of course, photos...

The home in question was purchased by an elderly couple who moved from abroad to live near their children and grandchildren in Jerusalem. They had been thinking about this for a long while, but the pandemic helped them make the decision. Their son bought the apartment while they were still overseas, and they moved to Israel soon after.

Thankfully, the couple is in good health and excellent shape, but they wanted to adjust their home for older age, even considering the potential need for a wheelchair.

At the same time, they find it crucial that their home is welcoming for hosting, particularly for their grandchildren.

In this article, we will focus on three aspects: accessibility, practicality, and making accommodation for grandchildren.

Accessibility

Accessibility needs vary, but slip-resistant flooring is fundamental.

Unfortunately, too many elderly individuals have suffered from falls at home, lying for hours or even days and weeks until someone checked on them. Recently, we've heard too many stories of neighbors noticing issues too late.

That's why investing in non-slip flooring for the home, especially the bathroom, is crucial. In the bathroom, this does not replace the necessity for grab bars or seating options.

Moreover, we took wheelchair accessibility into account by widening all entrances, both external and internal, and turning the front steps into a ramp.

We adjusted the toilet seat heights and installed grab bars for safety and to prevent falls.

In the showers, we laid non-slip tiles, added grab bars, and built-in wooden benches. We also accounted for wheelchair entry and space for an aide.

Practicality

Preventing unnecessary effort and sometimes making daily actions independently impossible often start with thoughtful pre-planning and design.

Everything should be designed to eliminate the need to bend. In the kitchen, we installed drawers and pull-out shelves, added an additional countertop at seated height, and organized tabs that insert under the counter for seated work. Even the electrical outlets by the desk were placed at 110 cm height, sacrificing a bit of aesthetics for functionality.

The design chosen ensures dirt doesn't show easily, such as dark or veined flooring, thus avoiding constant cleaning.

Another critical point is noise reduction. Noise can disturb everyone, but for grandparents hosting grandchildren, it can ruin the enjoyment. They need quiet when sleeping, and if awakened by noise, it's tough to fall back asleep. This isn't just about sleep but also about any time they need a quiet environment.

We addressed these concerns with insulating ceilings to block noise from upstairs neighbors, insulated walls, and, of course, the doors.

Adapting for Grandchildren

The most essential part for grandchildren visiting grandparents, aside from the candy drawer, is the play area. Even with space and potential, it needs a good setup (and, of course, good games and company, but that's not my job...).

We designed an outdoor pool—which is fantastic for the grandchildren but requires caution to prevent unsupervised access by children. We resolved this by building it at a height inaccessible to young kids.

We dedicated two guest restrooms, one of which includes a shower. This helps a lot when young ones come back from family events or late Shabbat evenings already bathed without disrupting the grandparents' bathroom.

Throughout the home, there's nothing breakable within children's reach. Instead of warning grandchildren countless times, it's simpler to preemptively prevent the issue.

Near the entrance, we set aside a photo corner for grandchildren (highly recommended for any home, not just grandparents').

In our case, there's also a family room where we'll install a magnetic wall for grandchildren's photos/artwork. If you'd like one too, ensure sufficient layers of magnetic paint on the wall, sometimes requiring 3 or 4 coats for it to be truly magnetic.

Tammy Rotenberg is an architect and interior designer. For questions and feedback: office@tammyrotenberg.com