When it comes to organizing ones home around an elderly relative, I think I am allowed to have a little rant about split-level houses. Just examine the following case: an elderly parent is coming to live with her daughter. The home is split-level, with the living area on a different level to the designated bedroom on the ground floor. So how to get Mum into this part of the house? And even if your ageing mother is not coming to live, what happens if you break your leg or end up in a wheelchair?
Unless it is absolutely essential to have your home built on different levels, why does anybody think it is necessary to add steps to the interior at all?
I spend a great deal of my time trying to persuade clients to abandon plans to build a split-level home, when taking this design direction is for no good reason other than they think it will “add character”. But at what price to your sanity when elderly or disabled people come to visit? Character is added to ones home through good design and decorating, with the addition of treasured possessions. A new-build can seem soul-less at the beginning, but ones home takes on shape and character with the addition of fabrics, furniture, light fittings and accessories. A random step-down to the living room will make no difference whatsoever to the final picture.
In order to live a full life, ones elderly relatives need to feel that they are not restricted to a small corner of the house. Independence needs to be maintained for as long as possible and, in my experience, a “granny flat” is rarely an option. Clients regularly ask me to convert a bedroom and bathroom in order to prepare for their parents arrival in their homes on a permanent basis. When this is being done, I also take a close look at the sitting room to ensure that it suitable and safe
In the previous edition of this magazine, I discussed the points to note when adapting the bedroom and bathroom to accommodate an elderly relative. Now it’s time to examine the sitting room.
Top tips:
Ensure that there are no loose rugs to trip over. A fitted carpet is the best option.
The sofa or armchair must be low, firm and high-backed.
Get a low footstool. It can double up as a coffee table.
Make sure that there is enough space between all items of furniture to accommodate a walking aid, and that there are no small tables or magazine racks that can be tripped over. In other words, the less clutter the safer the sitting room.
Dining chairs should, preferably, not have arms, as these can prove awkward when trying to sit down. Dining chairs should also not be too heavy to move with ease.
Lighting needs to be adequate and a good reading lamp should be positioned behind or beside the chosen sofa or armchair. All electric wires should be safely tucked away.
The sitting room should be warmer than you would probably like it to be, under normal circumstances.
Let the room be cosy, friendly and really cheerful and bright. Try to make it a home-from-home for Mum or Dad. They deserve it.