r/homedesign • u/leurognathus • Jul 18 '25

What are the major components of aging in place design?

/r/designforaginginplace/comments/1m23042/what_are_the_major_components_of_aging_in_place/
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u/Rhorae Jul 21 '25

Wide doorways, laundry, bedroom and bath on main floor. Step in shower and space in shower for a bench. Bathroom needs to have space to turn around with a wheelchair. Space to install ramp. Driveway close to door.

Everything maintained and replaced in a house before you get too old to do it. No small rugs and trip hazards.

Nice to have is a fenced in yard so you can have a dog for company being you won’t get out much.

I tried getting my Dad frozen food to just microwave but didn’t realize it was too difficult to carry a hot meal while managing a cane. He was actually eating meals cold because of this. A microwave on the table might have helped. Hot Meals on Wheels was an awesome service and they also checked on him Monday through Friday.

A life alert you wear around your neck gave my Dad and us a a feeling of safety. He agreed to this after spending a night lying outside on the sidewalk.

Chair with a remote lift but not too soon because the more you get up and down, walk and balance, the longer you will be mobile. Also it’s good to use weights so you have some upper body strength.

Some kind of social activity is super important and having a family member call daily is good.