Everything from floors to stairs, kitchens and bathrooms will require adjustments to allow for a comfortable living space for an elderly person.

The design of these renovated spaces will involve materials that are suitable for the specific needs of people as they age.

Considerations for material changes and accommodated living spaces may include the following:

For MOBILITY

• Grip flooring
  • Textures and friction surfaces may provide for more stable walking and wheelchair movement.
• Grab bars and Railings
  
  • Railings may be installed throughout a home to allow for more stable moving around.
    
  • Grab bars in bathrooms and bedrooms provide for safer sitting and standing.
    
• Door Openings
  • To allow for wheelchair and walker access, doorways are widened with zero clearance thresholds
  • Door knobs and locks may be replaced with lever-type mechanisms for easier grip and operation
• Stairs, Ramps and Elevators
  • Stair wells can be reinforced with framing or thick plywood to allow for grab bar and railing fixtures, as well as chair lift equipment.
    
  • Height changes at exterior doors and within a building can be accommodated with low-slope ramps.
  • Elevators can be installed in residential buildings to allow for access to upper floors.

For WORKING and LIVING

• Counter Heights
  • Kitchen and bathroom counters may be lowered to accommodate sitting or wheelchairs while working or bathing

• Temperature Regulation / Humidity / IAQ
  • Indoor air quality (IAQ) can be regulated with HEPA filters on HVAC equipment
  • Indoor temperatures may be stabilized with building envelope improvements and heat recovery ventilators (HRV)
• Bedrooms and Medical Equipment
  
  • Floor plans may require additional space and/or renovation for 1st floor bedrooms
  • Electrical and specialized hook-ups may be required for medical equipment, i.e. CPAP machines.

For VISUAL and COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT

• Colour Contrast
  • High contrast colours can be used to delineate thresholds and room changes
  • Symbols and signs with contrasting colours could be used for switches, cupboards or cabinets
• Textures and Braille
  • Surfaces in bathrooms and kitchens may have textures to differentiate areas and appliances
  • Braille characters can be used to mark appliances, kitchen utensils or bathroom fixtures.