Renovations
The BCS Age Friendly Home is being developed by BCS as a demonstration to older Australians that they can stay in their home for a longer period of time, after simple renovations and installing technology.
The major areas in any home renovation are the kitchen and the bathroom; however we have renovated the entire home to demonstrate age friendly design. The process has included installing ramps, widening doors and hallways, making bathrooms and kitchens safe and bringing the laundry inside.
The gardens have been made safe, private and secure, with sensory plants, wandering paths and a raised garden bed for pottering. Eventually the garden will be developed to include water features, seats and a potting bench.
The colours in the home have been selected to allow a modern feel that is warm and welcoming. Each of the smaller rooms has a feature wall to give differentiation and some subtle identification. The ‘carpet’ has been chosen carefully to provide ‘rollability’ for those using wheel chairs and a firm surface to accommodate walking frames and unsteady feet. It is made of solution six dyed nylon and will not stain or absorb odours. It meets BCA standards for low VOC (volatile organic compounds) emissions and flammability, and it meets BCS standards for environmentally friendly products – with a backing that is made from recycled materials (motor vehicle windshields) and is 100% recyclable.
The corridors have been widened to allow easy movement for everyone, including wheelchair users, space around the doors allows for easy access for people who use wheelchairs.
Glass in the front windows has had a safety film applied to prevent injuries should there be a fall. Any glass below 1 metre should be safety glass.
We have provided technology to allow independence and security, contact with the outside world in the case of an emergency or to bring information to the resident.
Few people actually look forward to the day when they are ready to enter a nursing home – we intend to show them that they can stay at home safely and securely for longer. However, it must be said that age friendly does not really mean old age, the design principles used in the Aged Friendly Home work well for small children and mothers with strollers just as well as for older members of the family.