Planning for home construction is a long-term urban step that must take into account the future needs of all family members, especially the elderly and people with disabilities. Preparing the home for the elderly is not just an afterthought; it is a comprehensive design principle that ensures ease of movement and safety throughout the house. Starting this preparation “from day one” saves the owner from exorbitant costs and complex restoration and renovation problems later on.
ALoda Contraction Company, with over 18 years of experience as one of the largest contracting companies in Kuwait, specializes in engineering contracting that observes international standards for Universal Design to ensure your home is comfortable and safe for everyone.
Why Should You Start Preparing the Home for the Elderly at the Design Phase?
Many common architectural errors cannot be easily corrected after the completion of the “black structure” (skeleton) or the final finishing. Therefore, integrating the principles of preparing the home for the elderly from the stage of the designer’s contract is crucial:
- Financial Savings: Planning for preparing the home for the elderly from the start is much cheaper than making later modifications. For example, planning for an elevator within the structure during the black structure phase (by leaving sufficient space) is less expensive than expanding a two-story villa to three to add an external or internal elevator later.
- Ensuring Aesthetics and Design: When inclusivity requirements are integrated into interior and exterior designs from the beginning, they become a natural and aesthetic part of the decor, rather than looking like ugly, temporary additions.
- Safety and Security: Preparing the home for the elderly reduces the risk of falls and injuries, which are the most common accidents among seniors. Good planning ensures that the garage floor, corridors, gardens, and homes are safe.
7 Critical Elements in Preparing the Home for the Elderly and People with Disabilities
A villa plan that considers inclusivity must focus on the following points that affect ease of movement and daily safety:
1. Entrances and Corridors (Ensuring Accessibility)
- Ramps Instead of Stairs: The main entrance, the Diwaniya entrance, and the external annex must be equipped with ramps of appropriate slopes instead of steps to facilitate wheelchair movement.
- Width of Corridors and Doors: Expanding the width of internal corridors and doors to a minimum of 90 cm to allow wheelchairs to pass easily. This planning must be considered in the distribution of rooms and bathrooms.
2. Bathrooms and Sanitary Facilities (Absolute Safety)
Bathrooms are the most dangerous places in the house. Preparing the home for the elderly should involve:
- Non-Slip Flooring: Using non-slip tiles in all bathrooms and avoiding any obstacles on the floors.
- Grab Bars: Installing sturdy handles next to toilets and in the shower area, ensuring they are anchored within the black structure during construction to withstand weight.
- Barrier-Free Showers: Designing the shower area without high edges or thresholds (Zero-Threshold Shower) to avoid tripping.
3. Elevators and Stairs
- The Elevator: Planning the elevator location during the black structure phase and installing it is the best future investment for preparing the home for the elderly, especially in the case of expanding a two-story villa into three.
- Stairs: Installing sturdy, double handrails on both sides of the stairs (if no elevator exists), with clear lighting.
4. Switches and Electricity
Placing light switches and electrical outlets at heights easily accessible by someone in a wheelchair (approximately 90 cm from the ground).
5. The Kitchen
Designing low-height countertops to suit sitting, and using easy-pull drawers instead of deep shelves.
6. Thermal Insulation and Lighting
Ensuring the best insulation system for villas in Kuwait to maintain a stable internal temperature, along with providing strong natural and artificial lighting to reduce the risk of falls.
The Role of ALoda Contraction Company: Inclusivity from Day One
ALoda Contraction Company ensures the delivery of turnkey contracting that complies with the principles of inclusivity through our expertise in engineering contracting:
- Reviewing Engineering Plans: We conduct a comprehensive review of the room and bathroom distribution proposed in the designer’s contract to ensure all requirements for preparing the home for the elderly are met, from the ramps on the garage floor to preparing a master bedroom on the ground floor.
- Execution in the Black Structure: During the execution of the black structure, we ensure that the structural foundation is ready to bear the additional weights of elevators or safety grab bars in bathrooms. Structural safety at the time of pouring is the basis for the durability of these facilities.
- Safe Finishing Materials: In smart finishing, we use non-slip materials in wet areas and select appropriate windows and doors for easy opening and closing without the need for great effort.
Conclusion: Future Planning is the Duty of the Era
Preparing the home for the elderly and people with disabilities from day one is a wise humanitarian and engineering decision that raises the value of your home and ensures the comfort and safety of your loved ones. Do not delay this decision. Start planning now to ensure your home is a comfortable and safe haven for life. Choose ALoda Contraction Company as a partner with experience in building maintenance and universal home design to turn your humanitarian vision into a high-quality reality.
