Many people are familiar with the idea of aging in place, but there’s a new trend that allows everyone in the home to feel safe and comfortable. Living in Place is an idea that allows a homeowner to comfortably age in place and also allows friends and family of all ages and abilities to visit. Keep reading to learn more about Living in Place.
What is Living in Place?
One of the core principles of Living in Place is a safe home for everyone. Instead of the principles of Aging in Place, which focuses on older adults, Living in Place focuses on creating an environment for everyone to feel comfortable and safe. Three things should be considered when creating an environment suitable for Living in Place: safety, health, and comfort.
Safety
A key component of a safe home is accessibility. Anyone entering a Living in Place home should be able to enter and function in the space, no matter the person’s abilities. No matter if a person has limited mobility due to age, temporary disability, or permanent disability, in a Living in Place home, they have the ability to function.
Creating this type of environment will require some modification to an existing home. Adding grab bars and handrails throughout the home is a good starting point. To make the home more accessible, a full bathroom and kitchen remodel are a good idea. When remodeling the bathroom, adding a curbless shower and lowering the toilet is a good way to make the bathroom more accessible. For the kitchen, lowering cabinets and installing a ball faucet are great ways to make the kitchen more accessible. Working with a Living in Place specialist will help you determine the necessary adjustments you need to make to make your home suitable for Living in Place.
Healthy
A Living in Place home promotes health and wellness. Improving indoor air and water quality, preventing mold and mildew, and selecting products with low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) reduce the possibility of sickness caused by the environment.
You can promote a healthy living environment by installing color-changing LED light bulbs, adding a personal hygiene bidet toilet seat, and installing a radon mitigation system will promote a healthy living environment. Color-changing LED light bulbs can help to balance circadian rhythms, which helps with better sleep at night and function during the day. A hygienic bidet toilet is a simple way to stay clean and healthy. And lastly, a radon mitigation system will improve your home’s indoor air quality.
Comfortability
Most people think that a Living in Place home has to look like an “old person’s home”. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. With good design and stylish selections, a Living in Place home can look just as nice or even better than a regular home. Grab bars, towel bars, toilet paper holders, and corner shelves come in a variety of colors, shapes, and materials. The same for other home essentials. When designing a Living in Place home, don’t forget that the smallest changes can add up to a very comfortable home.
Living in Place with Freedom Mobility
When you’re ready to create a Living in Place home that is safe, healthy, and comfortable, turn to Freedom Mobility Solutions. Our Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists and Assistive Technology professionals have years of experience creating safe and comfortable homes for people with all kinds of disabilities and mobility challenges. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.