As Thailand transitions to a fully aged society in 2021, both the public and private sectors are increasingly focusing on preparations for this demographic shift, particularly in housing. Seniors often spend most of their daily lives at home, and as their physical condition changes—experiencing muscle and bone deterioration, sensory system decline, and mental health challenges—it's essential to adapt living spaces accordingly. Therefore, SCG Elder Care Solutions, as an expert in senior housing design, recommends tips for modifying 4 critical areas of the home that are most prone to accidents for seniors, ensuring a complete living experience that offers safety, comfort, and long-term well-being as a valuable gift for your loved ones this upcoming Mother's Day.

          Ms. Paveeman Thongrach, a Design Consultant from SCG Elder Care Solutions, states that designing and adapting homes for seniors should consider 5 main components: Safety to reduce the risk of falls, Ease of use for easy and low-effort operation of devices, Eligibility to suit individual physical conditions and limitations, Accessibility for facilitating movement, and Stimulation to rejuvenate vitality through environmental design. Additionally, it is noted that each year, 1 in 3 seniors aged 65 and older experience falls, with the likelihood of accidents increasing with age. Common areas for falls include bedrooms, bathrooms, stairways, and outdoor landscapes. Hence, SCG Elder Care Solutions recommends tips for modifying these key areas of the home with the concept of Ageless Living, aimed at allowing seniors to live independently and safely, minimizing age and physical limitations, and enabling joyful activities with family at home.

Bedroom The bedroom for seniors should be located on the ground floor to minimize stair use, situated in a quiet, private area with good ventilation.

  • The floor should be covered with shock-absorbent materials and should not have level differences to prevent tripping and falling.
  • The bed should be appropriately sized for seniors, adjustable in height, with side rails, and a mattress that is neither too hard nor too soft. It is also recommended to have a space of 90-100 cm beside the bed for caregiver access and wheelchair use.
  • In the bedroom, install grab bars where sitting and standing occur, and use smart lighting that can automatically turn on and off based on precise motion detection to illuminate the path from the bed to the bathroom at night.
  • Furniture should include a bedside table that is easily accessible, and the wardrobe and shelves should be at a suitable height for the user.
  • Doors should not have thresholds to prevent tripping; sliding doors with an overhead track system are recommended for easy operation with minimal effort.

Bathroom is a high-risk area for slips and falls. In addition to ensuring the bathroom is at least 200 cm wide to accommodate wheelchair use, it is advised to separate the bathroom into zones for safety:

  • Dry zone: Use a wall-mounted sink that can support the weight of a senior's arms, or a half-counter sink to allow wheelchair access underneath. Faucets should be lever-type, and the toilet should be a standard height for easy sitting and standing, with grab bars installed beside it.
  • Wet zone: It is recommended to have a sturdy shower seat that is appropriately sized and height-adjusted for seniors, with the showerhead installed beside the seat. The shower valve should control temperature, and grab bars should be installed in the shower area. Importantly, floor tiles should have a slip resistance rating of R10 or higher to prevent falls, including the installation of grab bars in the shower area.

          Stairways If the senior's bedroom is on an upper floor, it may cause knee pain when using stairs or increase the risk of falling. Therefore, the stairs should be appropriately wide, with risers no higher than 15 cm and treads at least 30 cm wide. The stair nosing should be a different color from the stair surface to enhance visibility. Handrails should be installed on both sides at a height of 80 cm from the floor, with adequate lighting, or consider installing a "stair lift" for added convenience.

         Outdoor Landscape The entrance and garden pathways should be flat, with seating areas for enjoying nature at intervals. Resting spots should have grab bars or armrests to assist in standing up. If there is a ramp leading into the house, it should have a slope no steeper than 1:12, with a flat area at the top of the ramp of at least 150 cm. Use non-slip surface materials, with barriers and grab rails along the entire ramp. Pathways should be at least 90 cm wide to accommodate wheelchair use. Additionally, if seniors enjoy gardening, consider raised beds at a height of about 60-80 cm or vertical gardening options.

         Because the home is a vital space that should be adapted for family members of all ages to live together happily, in addition to the above recommendations, home modifications should also consider the physical characteristics and capabilities of seniors in performing various activities. Therefore, consulting with experts is advisable. Those interested can receive free consultations from specialists and experience living under the Ageless Living concept at SCG Experience and SCG Home Solutions branches. For more details, contact the SCG Contact Center at 02-586-2222 or visit www.scgbuildingmaterials.com.

        Special! To celebrate Mother's Day, SCG Elder Care has great promotions. Just add SCG as a friend on the official LINE account to receive a discount coupon for 5% off elder care products when purchasing items worth 30,000 baht or more (maximum discount of 5,000 baht, available only at SCG Experience branches) or receive an additional 1,000 baht discount on purchases of 10,000 baht or more (available only at SCG Experience and SCG Home Solutions branches) from August 2 to September 30, 2017.

Illustrative Images

 

1. Ms. Paveeman Thongrach, Design Consultant from SCG Elder Care Solutions

2. Bedroom for seniors

3. Bathroom for seniors

4. Stairway for seniors

5. Suitable outdoor landscape for seniors

6. Seniors living happily and safely with family members

7. SCG Elder Solutions has experts providing construction material solutions for seniors, ready to assist with advice.

Thank you for the information from  www.scgbuildingmaterials.com