Getting Old at Home

Abstract

With the growth in the sizes of elderly population, countries and cities are facing mounting challenges. The need to rationalize investment in social and health care services forces them to think innovatively. Aging also poses a challenge to seniors since trivial daily tasks become increasingly difficult as people get older. Adequate aging is also an important pillar of sustainability since poor management can drain a nation’s finance and contribute to deteriorating personal wellbeing. Several residential design strategies such as aging in place and multigenerational living are known to alleviate those challenges. Therefore, the need to design inclusive environments and dwellings that support these principles and are adaptable to people’s needs will support aging in the community and at home. This chapter investigates these approaches in the design of the kitchen, bedroom, living room, bathroom, and the outdoors. The potential benefits of home automation are also explored as well as the merits of multigenerational living.