We all could use some assistance. Designing for the Ages

We are faced with a larger aging population more so now than in the past as medical science is allowing us to live longer and heather lives. So my “blog” today is addressing the neglected side of the coin, the design side. When we build our homes or redesign our homes we should think about incorporating the elements we may need at some time in our lives in the beginning not after the fact. But great news! Gone is the clunky, chunky look of the assistance! They are so decorative and subtle these days you would not even notice or know they are assistance of any sort. Added extra space around a kitchen island? Who could not use more space in their kitchens? Raise the toilet height and lower the sink. These are just a few changes at one point in time in our lives we may need. Address the core areas of the home: Living space, kitchen, master bedroom, and master bath. These and other considerations I feel should be considered early instead of later especially if you are building or doing a redesign of your current home. Senior home consultations have always been near and dear to my heart and as always, I am learning more each day about the design side of this growing area of concentration in interior design. When I started this article a few weeks ago , little did I know how timely it would be for my own life. When you are the “legal” age of AARP card carrier and your parents are still with you at some time you will be faced with the inevitable and one or both will have some health issue. Now 17 years ago when my parents built their dream retirement home all was fine and no health issues. But not so the case as they get older. Having now to redesign their home to accommodate my own father’s failing health has been a bit of a process. We still want the home to look lovely and decorated, but have to take into the account the accommodations my father is now needing. So whether you are building your dream retirement home or doing a redesign of your existing home consider adding some “assistance” to your interior design.