There are many things to consider when buying a house that’s senior-friendly. Retirees are at that time of their lives where they should sit back, relax, and enjoy themselves in a home where there’s less upkeep and stress, and this should be reflected by their choice in homes.

While saying goodbye to an old home can be difficult, especially when a person has made so many happy memories living in it, a new home should give seniors the best years of their lives. In this post, we’re sharing the best home-buying tips to follow when selecting a home that’s perfect for seniors to live in:

1. Consider single-story homes.

Homes that have stairs, thresholds, or even small steps may not be suitable for elderly people to live in. As you age, moving around becomes more challenging, which is why it’s a good idea to choose single-story homes with flooring that’s as even as possible.

If you do decide to go for multi-story homes, just make sure the stairs have rails on both sides to make gripping easier. Also, because eyesight tends to deteriorate with years, you should increase stair visibility with color contrast strips on the top and bottom part of the stairs.

2. Look for good lighting.

Aside from choosing a single-story house, it’s crucial that you get a home with sufficient lighting. When choosing a rambler home in Utah, look for one that has enough windows to let in natural light. Better lighting reduces accidents and improves the overall quality of life for elderly people.

Having more light is also known to promote better health and improve a person’s mood. This can be especially helpful for keeping seniors active both physically and mentally.

3. Make sure the kitchen is easy to use.

You may want to choose a kitchen with open shelving rather than closed cabinets. This allows for easy access to frequently-used kitchen items such as kettles, pots, and pans. If you prefer cabinets, consider having glass cabinet doors instead of wooden ones so you can easily see and identify the items without trouble.

Manual dexterity deteriorates as people age. With that in mind, choose a kitchen that doesn’t force you to crouch or bend. For example, instead of having a standard floor-level oven, choose a kitchen with an oven that’s elevated enough for you to easily put things in and out without bending over.

4. See that the bathroom is senior-friendly.

Many accidents like slips and falls happen in the bathroom and shower space. While there are many tweaks and adjustments you can do to a bathroom to make it safer, it pays to know what to look for.

Bathrooms should ideally have plenty of areas that the user can grip or hold on to, providing them with better support and stability. Also, even if you’re thinking of purchasing non-slip bath mats, look for a bathroom with slip-prevention flooring, especially in the shower area.

5. Consider the elements outside of the house.

The pathway to homes often have cracks and uneven surfaces. These are potential danger zones for elderly people. It’s important that surfaces are smooth and level to allow for easier mobility and to decrease the likelihood of accidents.

Another important thing to think about is the neighborhood. It isn’t enough having a senior-friendly house if the neighborhood isn’t ideal for seniors. Choose a home location where there isn’t so much noise and with grocery stores within walking distance of the house. Seniors should be able to go out and take a walk with as little stress as possible.

Buying a home is never a decision to take lightly, regardless of a person’s age. There’s more reason to be practical, however, when it comes to choosing a home for seniors. Not only does the home have to be functional and convenient to support you as you age, but it should also be aesthetically appealing enough to help you create new and happy memories in a safe neighborhood.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments