We sell your home at
better prices
record speed
only 1% commission

Ohmyhome helps you maximize your returns on your property with expert advice and negotiation. Plus, at a low 1% commission fee, you get to keep more profits in your pocket.

5 Renovation Tips for a Senior-Friendly Home

Ohmyhome

Join our Telegram channel and follow our Facebook page for the latest property updates.

If you’ve been around Singapore long enough, you’re bound to hear the phrase “rapidly aging population” at least once or twice from various media outlets. But what does this mean? To put it simply, a significant chunk of our population (estimated to be about 1 out of 5 Singaporeans) is expected to hit their late sixties at 2030. As we’re more likely to share our living spaces with our elderly loved ones (i.e. our parents), it’s time we start to consider more senior-friendly improvements to our homes for their overall safety and comfort.

1. Switch to sliding doors

Yes, sliding doors are a lot more than meets the eye. In case of medical emergencies such as slip and falls, paramedics are able to get inside quickly and easily with sliding doors than traditional doors. On top of that, sliding doors are also a great way to save space and are much easier to use.

2. Install lever handles, grab bars and contrasting doors

Toss doorknobs out and replace them with their senior-friendly counterpart, lever handles! They are generally a lot easier for seniors to handle and turn. For extra safety precautions, installing grab bars with groove patterns at accident-prone areas such as bathrooms, bedrooms, and living rooms are also a great way to reduce the likelihood of falls. Ministry of National Development (MND) also recommends opting for a door colour that’s of stark contrast to the floor as they are easier to distinguish.

3. Amp up your lighting

Mood lighting is undeniably romantic but a senior-friendly home requires ample light to maximise visibility. Fun fact: seniors require 2-3 times more illumination than their fledgling. To incorporate adequate brightness in the home, you’ll need to ensure your living room is set at a LUX level of 500 for the living room, dining room and kitchen.

4. Clear your entrance

Less is more when it comes to decorating your entryway, particularly when you have a wheelchair user at home. Avoid decor that could possibly be an obstruction to wheelchairs and walking sticks such as rugs, bulky furniture, and large plants. To be more specific, MND recommends a clear manoeuvering space of at least 1.25m by 1.5m.

5. Stick to slip-resistant floors

Marble floors are a huge no-no if you live at home with a senior family member. The slick material may be all the rage aesthetic-wise but it does not bode well for elderly occupants who may slip and fall on the ultra-smooth floor, especially when the surface is wet or polished. To prevent such incidents, it is recommended to stick to hardwood (pricey) or laminate (budget-friendly).

Applying these simple senior-friendly features to the home may go a long way to ensure a safer and more comfortable home for your multi-generation household. Who says the young and old can’t live in harmony? Good news is these renovations are made more affordable thanks to HDB programmes like Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) which help provide subsidy for senior-friendly home improvement work like installing customised ramps, grab bars and non-slip bathroom tiles.

Sources: MND, HDB

For more about Ohmyhome, follow us on Instagram or subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Subscribe to the property newsletter read by 200,000 homies

Get our finest insights sent straight to your inbox. Enter your best email.
Unsubscribe anytime.

Consult an expert for free!

Send us your details and we’ll be in touch within 15 min (daily 9am to 9pm GMT +8).

Our finest insights you'll be looking forward to receive.

Read by 200,000 Homies. Enter your best email below to join in.

Unsubscribe anytime.

SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

Featured Blogs

Highlighting unique property views for every Singaporean