by Robert Borges on February 25, 2025
A senior-friendly house design incorporates essential features that improve accessibility, suitability, safety, and comfort. It should allow active adults in fifty-five-and-older living communities to live safely, independently, and with dignity for years.
What These Housing Designs Include
Ease of Access
Your home should have an entrance and emergency exit with clear, wide pathways to allow you to move freely. Most senior homes have access points without steps, allowing residents with mobility issues to move around effortlessly.
If the access and exit points have steps, they should be in a manner that does not impede or slow your movement. Doors should be at least thirty-two inches wide and free of tripping hazards.
To prevent tripping, entries to bathrooms and shower enclosures should have low or no edges. If you want to live in an apartment building with several floors, ensure it has an elevator.
Safety and Security
Senior-friendly housing should have sound security systems, including emergency alarms and surveillance. The home security should have a panic button to help residents alert emergency responders if there is an incident.
To prevent serious accidents, areas like bathrooms, hallways, kitchens, and garages should have slip-resistant flooring. Check fifty-five-and-older community testimonials to see if the community you like offers homes with this kind of flooring. The house may also be equipped with grab bars or handrails (especially in the stairway, hallway, and restroom).
Good lighting is essential. The rooms of your home should be brightly lit but free of glare so that there are no dark corners or spots where you could stumble over an item you can’t see. For added convenience and safety, you may want to look for a house with motion sensors and adjustable lighting controls.
Smart Home Solutions
As an active adult living independently, your home should have reliable smart home solutions, such as remote-controlled thermostats, lights, and alarm systems. These technologies are designed to make your life easier and more enjoyable.
Voice-activated aides for heat, lights, and stereo systems will enable you to control and adjust your environment effortlessly. Your emergency alarm systems can be integrated with your innovative technologies to help you call for assistance during an emergency.
Comfort Features
Most housing consultants for those fifty-five and older will tell you that many of their clients want their new homes to have reliable, easy-to-use heating and cooling systems. These systems should have simple controls and be energy efficient to keep utility bills low. Furthermore, choosing a home with adequate insulation balances temperatures and minimizes external noise.
In Conclusion
A well-planned senior housing design ensures that your home adapts to your changing lifestyle needs and supports your independence and wellbeing. If you’re looking for a community with active adult-friendly homes, visit the Private Communities today portal for information on master-planned communities with extraordinary home designs and amenities!
About the Author
With over 20 years of experience as a seasoned content creator, Robert Borges is the senior writer for Private Communities Registry (PCR), specializing in real estate trends and master-planned communities. He works closely with builders, developers, and real estate pros to create helpful content that guides homebuyers in finding the perfect community, ensuring they have the information needed to make confident, informed decisions.
