A 2014 study found that 15 percent of Australia’s population, 3.5 million people, are 65 years of age or older.
Along with the growing population of seniors, Australia is facing an increased demand for age friendly housing options.
Steep driveways and home repairs may have once posed no challenge. Now, individuals may find themselves in need of a home without stairs or one with nursing care close by.
Whatever a person’s personal needs and wants are, there’s an age friendly housing option out there. Here are just a few of the options available to choose from.
Stay in a current home
If an older person’s needs are not physical, or if a current home is already accessible, they may be able to stay in their current home.
Sometimes changes can be made to a home to make it accessible. Possible changes include adding a lift system to navigate stairs or updating appliances so that constant repairs won’t be needed.
If a homeowner is considering this options, it’s a good idea to find a contractor with experience making homes more accessible.
Another option that allows some older people to stay in their home is in-home nursing care.
A full-time or part-time nurse visits the home or even stays there and provides care. They may administer medicine, perform light physical therapy routines, and even clean or cook meals.
But if a person’s needs are more extensive, if a home is older and in need of repairs, or if the home is located far from hospitals and doctors offices, a different housing option might be necessary.
Assisted living facilities
For individuals who need care from medical professionals, an assisted living facility might be the best choice.
In an assisted living facility, all a resident’s needs are taken care. They don’t have to worry about cooking or cleaning. They receive medical care as needed, as well as a variety of activities to keep them healthy and active.
The downside of an assisted living facility is the lack of independence experienced. Residents of these facilities are restricted in what they can do and where they can go.
This may be the only choice for an older individual or one with health problems. But for healthier adults, something less restrictive might be better.
Independent living communities
Offering more freedom than an assisted living facility, an independent living community gives residents access to medical care and other help if they need it.
Individuals often have the choice of buying or renting a home in these communities or even building one.
Build an age friendly housing option
Perhaps the best option for healthy individuals looking for an age friendly housing option is to build a new home.
This home can be built within an independent living community, or elsewhere.
By building a home from the ground up, the home can be customized to match an individual’s needs. Home could be built without stairs, be made wheelchair or walker accessible, and more.
Individuals get the freedom of living in their own, custom home, without having to worry about the home not being age friendly. They may also be able to get assistance staying in their home if their needs change down the road.
Display homes are available to showcase the many different age friendly home options. They make it easier than ever to design a home to match an individual’s needs.
If you or a loved one are in need of age friendly housing, it may be time to start looking into building a custom age friendly home.