Several years ago, Valerie Hall, 49, of Jesup, Ga., transformed a 1,000-square-foot game room into a living space for her grandmother and her mother. Because the room was so large, Hall was able to divide it into separate areas for sleeping, living and dining. Plus, there was enough room for a small kitchen and a bathroom with bars in the shower.
Hall's mother, Beverly Thompson, 72, has decorated the room to her tastes. "The space has meant the world to her," Hall says.
Such decorating and remodeling endeavors are likely to become more common as the number of older adults grow. As it is, about one-fourth of caregivers say their loved ones live with them, according to a 2003 survey by the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP.
An extreme makeover is not always necessary. Color and light are two quick fixes. Warm colors, such as pale yellow or orange, can make a space lighter and inviting, and they're easier on aging eyes. Add color with bedding, curtains or wall coverings.
The space needs to be well lit for comfort and safety. Place several nonglaring lights around the room, and use lamp shades that create a restful glow. Lights with motion-sensors in the room, hallway and bathroom will make late-night bathroom trips safer.
A bookcase or screen can separate a sleeping area from a living-room space. A section set aside for crafts or watching TV, or even for visits from family members, can help your parent maintain a sense of privacy and independence. Don't forget that you may need a room big enough for medical equipment. Even if your parent is not using an oxygen tank or wheelchair yet, you should plan for that possibility.
To personalize the space, add your loved one's favorite items, including pictures, keepsakes and a piece or two of furniture. You may want to set up
a TV, and perhaps a computer, for entertainment. Adding a phone is also a good idea, particularly if there's an emergency when you're not around.
Conduct a Safety Review
If your parent cannot walk fast, don't place the suite at the back of the house or on an upper floor. "You need to make sure they can exit in a hurry," says Rebecca Stahr, founder of LifeSpring Environs, a home-design firm in Atlanta specializing in the aging population. If there's an emergency, your parent will need a clear way to get out, and emergency personnel will need to be able to easily reach the room.
If your parent uses a wheelchair, you'll need to widen doorways. Also, a threshold with a seam may cause falls or create an obstacle for a wheelchair.
Take a look at the flooring itself. High-pile carpet with a thick nap will make walking difficult for someone who has decreased mobility. Hardwood, vinyl tiles or low-pile carpet with a tight weave will make it easier to get around. Secure rugs so they don't move, and add adhesive strips to slippery floors.
In the bathroom, be sure that the sink and the toilet are not too high or too low. In the shower, it's a good idea to add grab bars, a hand-held shower head and a seat. (For more bathroom ideas, read Accessible Bathrooms With Pizazz.)
Instead of knobs, install lever handles on sinks, doors and windows. Consider remote-controlled shades that can be adjusted while sitting in bed. Also, lower controls and switches if they're too high to be reached by someone in a wheelchair.
If you want expert help, you can find designers, remodelers and occupational therapists who have taken a training course in "aging in place" concepts. Visit the Web site of the National Association of Home Builders (www.nahb.org, click "Education," then "Designations," then "Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists").
