Interior Home Style with Safety Silver Harmony Living makes beauty functional BY ALISON STANTON Thanks to a new Phoenix-based interior design firm, older adults can have beautiful, functional and safe homes. Robert Denning and Galen Hasenpflug opened Silver Harmony Living in November. The company focuses on the needs of people who would like to stay in their homes as they get older. Silver Harmony Living grew out of Hasenpflug’s design company, Galen Interiors, which opened in 2005. Denning says he and Hasenpflug were inspired to start Silver Harmony Living based on experiences with their own parents. As he notes, his mother suffered from chronic pain issues limiting her mobility and required her to use a wheelchair most of the time. Hasenpflug’s mother has a significant vision impairment and uses a walker. “Thoughtful furniture placement allowed for easier navigation for my mom around the space with a wheelchair,” Denning says. To make visits to his home easier for his mom, a wide front door was installed, and
Thanks to a new Phoenix-based interior design firm older adults have lovely, functional homes. (Submitted Photo)
wide pathways were created throughout his house. For Hasenpflug’s mother, adding bright colors to her home allow her to tell the difference between surfaces and also assist with navigation; tactile items were placed on appliances and other tools she uses on
a daily basis, and furniture was set to make it easier and safer for her to get around with a walker. As a result, Denning says he and Hasenpflug are on a mission to find creative solutions to help solve age-related issues for other older adults—all without sacrificing
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aesthetics or style. “While other interior design companies may, on occasion, do residential work focused on accessibility for those with mobility issues, the entire focus of Silver Harmony Living is to address the needs of older adults,” Denning says. He and Hasenpflug are Certified AgingIn-Place Specialists, a certification program put in place by the National Association of Home Builders and AARP. “This certification means we are specially trained to address home need issues addressing fall risks, visual impairment, accessibility and many other issues potentially limiting someone’s ability to stay independent and active. We can also address needs specific to those with Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and other health issues impacting mobility.” When Denning and Hasenpflug meet with clients, they do a 225-point assessment inside and outside the home to address safety and accessibility issues. Silver Harmony Living may add nonslip flooring throughout the entire home, pulldown shelves and pull-out drawers in the kitchen and grab bars in the bathroom that are as attractive as they are functional. “One of my favorite ‘fixes’ is the multifunctional grab bar,” Denning says. “These are grab bars also acting as a toilet paper dispenser or double as a soap dish. They just look like decorative pieces rather than safety devices. “In addition to making a home safer for older adults, we can also make it beautiful. We want people to just see a beautiful home, not one that has been modified for aging-in-place needs.” Denning says he and Hasenpflug are pleased with their decision to open Silver Harmony Living and help more older adults to stay in their homes. “Knowing we are creating a safer space for our clients while also making them feel good about where they live is the best part of the job,” Denning says. “Seeing our clients’ faces light up after everything is complete is so satisfying. It makes us feel like we’re truly having a significant positive impact on their lives.” For more information about Silver Harmony Living, call 602-677-9508, email robert@silverharmonyliving.com or visit silverharmonyliving.com. www.LovinLife.com
