What to Consider for Elderly Housing
Elderly housing requires special considerations because older people have lower resistance to diseases and their organ functions are not as good. Therefore, they have higher requirements for living conditions. Below, we will discuss 5 important considerations for housing in old age. It is important for the elderly to understand and choose suitable living conditions, and it is also important for their children to arrange a good living environment to ensure the physical and mental health of the elderly, allowing them to live a healthy and long life. Let's take a look at what kind of house the elderly should live in.
1. High Ceilings
Good air circulation and sufficient sunlight are beneficial for health. According to the "Residential Building Design Standards", the net height of a room should not be less than 2.8 meters. Experiments have shown that when the net height of a room is lower than 2.55 meters, the concentration of carbon dioxide indoors increases, affecting indoor air quality. A low net height also makes people feel oppressed.
2. Low Countertops
Whether it is a fixed countertop (cabinet) or a movable countertop (furniture), they should be low. Especially for elderly people who are physically weak or have difficulty with their hands and legs, the height of the countertop should be lower. Generally, it should be convenient for use without the need to climb or reach high places frequently.
3. Non-slip Flooring
It is best to use high-quality non-glazed tiles, anti-slip tiles, wooden flooring, and laminate flooring. Avoid using tiles with fancy and geometric patterns to prevent visual distortion and slipping or falling.
4. Adequate Lighting
Due to age-related visual decline, indoor lighting should be sufficient. Indoor lighting refers to the natural light that can be obtained indoors. Generally, it is required to have at least 3 hours of natural light exposure per day, and the ratio of the effective area of windows to the floor area of the room should not be less than 1:15.
5. Suitable Colors
According to psychology, colors not only affect people's subjective feelings, but also influence their emotions. Therefore, it is important to choose colors that are comfortable and elegant for the elderly. Light or white colors can be used around the elderly living space, while tables, chairs, sofas, and bedding can be in bright colors to create a festive and lively atmosphere.
In the house where the elderly live, it is important to ensure good ventilation. Many elderly people have cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, so lack of oxygen is not acceptable. Therefore, sufficient oxygen supply is essential, and ventilation is necessary. If conditions allow, the elderly can choose to live in the suburbs or in places with good environments, breathing fresh air every day to ensure their physical health.
