- Here’s An Opinion On:
- Mobility Products Sydney
Submitted by: Stewart Wrighter
The profession of architecture is similar to most other professions in that most of the people tend to work on the same things. A very large percentage of architects either work on designing homes or they focus on designing buildings. However, there are also people who have more specialized functions. You need to look for church architects or for assisted living design architects if your project is for a specialized building. This is especially true if you are going to build a house for your aging parents or if you are making an extensive renovation to your own home for them. Someone who has more experience in the design elements of an assisted living facility will likely make the experience easier for you and you will also be more likely to be satisfied with the results that you get.
One of the important things when you are designing buildings and rooms is to not just design the space for the elements that are required today, but you also have to think about the things that will become necessary as the person ages.
One of the things that you need to consider is the width of the hallways and the stairs. While there may not be an immediate need for those items, there will likely be a day when it becomes an issue. Things like walkers and wheelchairs take up more space than just walking. This means if the hallways are not made wider, the person in the chair will have more trouble getting around in the house. It also means that any little kind of object that may be in the hallway turns into a major roadblock for them.
Stairs are another element that needs to be considered. At some point, you may need to put in a chair lift for the elevator. If your staircase is not wide enough when it is built or when the remodeling is done, this would not be an option for you. Of course, the best plan is to put their living space in an area where stairs won t be needed for them.
It will also be important for both the stairs and the hallways to have rails on both sides. Whoever is walking may need the support on both sides. It is also possible that they have a strong side and a weak side. If you only have railings for them on one side, it is only a matter of time before they fall. Another area that needs special attention is the restroom. There has to be plenty of room and you have to make sure all surfaces are not slick. Railings are especially important in the bathroom and will be useful around the stool and shower. The better the design of your new space, the easier it will be for the person to live more independently. If you have a chair lift, they can go up and down the stairs as they wish. If you do not, you will probably have to stop what you are doing to assist them each time they want to move.
About the Author: Stewart Wrighter recently helped his church find a group of knowledgeable
church architects
to help revitalize the facade of an old church. He hired a local
assisted living design
firm to help revitalize his ailing mother s home.
Source:
isnare.com
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