Aging in Place Design Principles for Your New Home

A bathroom by Hanson Builders featuring Aging in Place design.

As the American population ages, more people are considering Aging in Place design when building and updating their homes. Understandably, people want to stay in their homes as they age and remain comfortable while doing so. In today’s blog, we’ll explain the core principles of Aging in Place design and outline room-specific features to consider when building your home.

What Is Aging in Place Design?

Aging in Place design refers to designing a space that you can comfortably stay in as you age and your home needs inevitably change. People who age in place stay in their homes rather than moving to senior living communities. Aging in Place design is also closely related to universal design, which is the principle of designing a space that is accessible to anyone.

If you intend to live in your home as you age or especially if you’re designing a forever home, then it’s important to consider Aging in Place design factors that will allow your home to evolve and change as you do.

Let’s look at the core principles behind Aging in Place design.

Core Principles of Aging in Place Design

A prep kitchen by Hanson Builders featuring Aging in Place design.

Aging in Place design is focused on creating a space that is safe and accessible for older people. The primary goals are to prevent injuries and to make everyday activities easier.

Here are the guiding principles behind most Aging in Place design features:

Mobility: Creating spaces that are easy to navigate at every age. This may include designing an open floor plan and wide paths for walkers and wheelchairs. Wheelchair-accessible doorways and hallways should generally be at least 36″ wide.
Safety: Eliminating trip hazards and other potential dangers. The most important feature to consider here is a consistent floor height on each level of the home, with a flush front entry and thresholds. Non-slip floors are also beneficial.
Ease of Use: Features such as lever-style door handles, paddle-style faucets, and rocker light switches are ergonomic and require less effort to use.
Visibility: Installing adequate lighting throughout the home, including motion-sensor lights, helps prevent falls and other accidents.

Aging in Place Bathroom Design Features

Most accidents and injuries occur in the bathroom, so considering safety and accessibility here is more important than anywhere else in the home. Here are some features to implement:

Curbless Shower: With no barrier or step, curbless showers are wheelchair-accessible and prevent tripping. Finer details, like waterproofed flooring, ensure that features like these support a low-maintenance, fully protected space.
Adjustable-Height Shower Head and Handheld Wand: Along with a shower seat, these fixtures ensure easy and comfortable showering.
Anti-Slip Floors: In addition to anti-slip coatings in the shower and bathtub, anti-slip floors prevent dangerous falls.
Grab Bars: Consider putting these in the shower, bathtub, and on either side of the toilet. Alternatively, you can put in the proper blocking to accommodate installation of grab bars in the future.
Comfort-Height Toilet: An 18″ toilet seat makes sitting and standing easier.
Accessible Faucet: Paddle-style, single-lever, or hands-free faucet controls are easy to use.

Aging in Place Kitchen Design Features

When designing a kitchen for Aging in Place, consider making it accessible and easy to use as you grow older.

Accessible Storage: Pull-out drawers and cabinets at easy-to-reach heights reduce the need to bend over in the kitchen.
Low Counter Height: Having at least one section of counter space that is low enough for seated use will make meal prep less straining.
Appliance Placement: Many homeowners choose to install appliances higher so as to avoid the need to bend over. Side-by-side refrigerators and waist-height ovens are recommended.
Front-Mounted Cooktop Controls: These eliminate the need to reach over a hot cooktop to adjust the controls, ensuring easy access and preventing burns.
Rounded Countertop Edges: Rounded counters help prevent injuries on sharp corners.

Aging in Place Bedroom Design Features

These features make it easier for anyone to get in and out of bed and get dressed independently.

Main-Level Bedroom: Having a bedroom and full bathroom on the main level will be convenient if stairs become difficult. Alternatively, you could install an elevator or a stair lift.
Low-Profile Bed and Nightstands: Low-profile designs are easy to access without strain.
Accessible Closets: Open closets, pull-down rods, and easy-to-reach shelves make accessing clothes easy.

Learn More About Aging in Place with Hanson Builders

Aging in Place design is important to consider if you plan to stay in your home as you grow older. It’s also helpful if you plan on moving in older relatives at some point. Whatever your plans for your home, Hanson Builders can help you accomplish them. We specialize in fully custom and semi-custom homebuilding, so you can implement the features you need most.