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PHOTO: CIARAN GRIFFIN / THINKSTOCK
Real Estate Focus Thursday, December 19, 2013
A safer home for the elderly
Eco-friendly renovations are better for your health Having a good environmental conscience sometimes means asking yourself a few questions when the time comes to do work around the house. Fortunately, manufacturers and retailers have begun to understand that the general public is concerned about the environment and have made many ecofriendly products and solutions available. When doing home improvement jobs, it is now possible to make sensible choices that won’t compromise the health of your family. The first thing to do for a more eco-friendly home is to improve its energy efficiency. Cutting back on heat and air-conditioning requirements is a green choice that will also reduce your gas or electric bill. After carrying out tests to detect where air and heat are escaping, a specialist can help you decide where insulation can increase your efficiency and whether a new roof, windows, doors, or floor coverings can have an impact.
tain conditions are present, such as high humidity levels in bathrooms. No matter what type of work is needed inside or outside the home, you can now opt for recycled products or those that have been designed using fewer or even no toxic products. Choose natural materials wherever possible, such as real wood, and ensure that it is of good quality. And be sure to use house paint that is free of volatile organic compounds to ensure better air quality in the home.
You can avoid health-endangering chemical pollutants by opting for eco-friendly products.
A portrait of a cozy bedroom
To have a cozy and inviting sleeping space, avoid cluttering up the room with furniture and other objects that don’t belong there. Choose your bed with care, as it should be the focal point of the room. Add bedside tables and a simple closet or chest of
The biggest tip of all is to think about de-cluttering the living space. Low pieces of furniture, rugs, and electric wires on the floor are often the cause of falls. Pay particular attention to high-traffic areas and the bedroom, especially around the bed.
PHOTO: STOCK FOUNDRY / DESIGN PICS / THINKSTOCK
Installing faucets that limit water wastage in the kitchen and bathroom is also a priority. By choosing eco-friendly materials for the cabinets and vanities, you can avoid being exposed to toxic products released when cer-
A bedroom is a very personal room that should reflect your image and tastes. In other words, you should feel comfortable and rested while you’re there so that you can get a good night’s sleep. But creating a Zen room doesn’t just mean putting a few bamboo canes in a vase in the corner. Creating the desired effect will take a bit of care and regular maintenance.
A few simple tricks can sometimes be enough to improve the quality of life of elderly people who live in their own homes.
drawers. Don’t forget to turn the mattress from time to time and remember to change the mattress and box spring about every ten years. Create a relaxing atmosphere by opting for natural materials; wood is a classic choice. Avoid lacquers and varnishes, which can sometimes emit toxic fumes harmful to your health. Choose colours that you find pleasing as well as comforting. Favour soft lighting, which is conducive to a subdued and relaxing atmosphere, and place some soft, natural fibre rugs on the floor to dampen noise. Be sure to sleep in natural fabric sheets and keep in mind that airing the room before going to bed can help to chase away insomnia. With a bit of attention, you can create a cozy space where it is easy to unwind from your day and get the rest that you need. After all, some people might fall asleep as soon as their heads touch the pillow, but that’s not the case for all of us! Create a Zen atmosphere in the bedroom in order to get a good night’s sleep.
SAFETY ACCESSORIES Conveniently placed furniture and grab bars installed in strategic places facilitate an elderly person’s movements around the home. Grab bars are also a priority in the bathroom, where devices that help prevent falls are vital. Anti-slip flooring is also essential. Baths can be suitable for those who do not have mobility problems; however, a handheld shower can be much easier to use for an elderly person, especially if they can sit on a shower bench and have grab bars to use for standing up, sitting down, and getting in and out of the cubicle or bathtub. APPROPRIATE LIGHT FIXTURES Where possible, the bedroom should be
on the ground floor and be located near a bathroom. Not having to negotiate stairs, especially at night, is an important safety factor. Space and clutter can be maximized by reducing a room’s furniture to the bare essentials. Wall lights are also a good idea, with switches placed in convenient spots to facilitate access. A bed with a remotecontrolled base gives much-appreciated comfort when an elderly person wishes to read or watch television before going to sleep. Above all, keep comfort and safety in mind, without forgetting about the individual’s tastes, needs, and habits.
A few tips for renovating a powder room The powder room, or “downstairs” washroom, gets a lot of use, both by members of your family as well as by guests. That is why some ingenious planning is required to make the most of this typically small space. You could keep the existing layout and just change the bathroom fittings, the lighting, and the floor covering, or you could enlarge it by encroaching on underused neighbouring space. In that case, be sure to include plumbing and electrical costs in your budget. It is a good idea to call in some professionals at this point, as safety and efficiency are paramount. The big challenge is to create an airy look while providing storage space. If your powder room is too narrow to accommodate a vanity unit, then a pedestal or wall-mounted basin could be the answer. A feeling of volume can be given by doubling the walls to include built-in elements or to create a re-
cess that can be used as a shelf. Opt for low furnishings, as higher ones will give the room a crowded look. To maintain an illusion of spaciousness, avoid overcrowding. If you want to lay some tiles, opt for large dimensions and don’t forget to buy a few extra in case of breakage. Tastes and colours are always a very personal matter. That said, it is usually preferable to stick with pale colours in cool tones rather than warm, darker ones, which tend to make a room look smaller. At the very least, plan to keep the ceiling white. Lastly, choose accessories that have a dual function, such as heated towel rails or a mirror with integrated lighting.
The powder room: small but practical.
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