No credit to me, for planning or designing a senior friendly retirement home, but an observation of the features that make it so friendly for us, in our dotage. So much easier to buy in our planned community. Not retirement in the "extreme", but certainly much lower in cost and accessibility than other comparably prices home. We're talking in the $150 to $175K price range.
So our CCRC single home:
1560 sf
2BR 2BA
2 car garage
wall to wall carpeting in all rooms except bath and kitchen... (safety - falls)
all doorways wheelchair accessible
raised toilet
walk in shower with seat, wheelchair accessible
no doorway sills except front door and garage
gas fireplace
washer/dryer room
pre-wired for internet, tv, phone all rooms
easy clean, tip out, double pane windows
emergency call/fire alarm/intrusion system, with pull cords in each room
snow removal/lawn shrub, tree care HOA
Exterior provided post lights and garage lights
separate pantry
dishwasher garbge disposal
all door have levered (not knobbed) doors.
much wall shelving and under counter slide out drawers in kitchen and baths
all wall plugs at 20 inch height from floor... no stooping
single levered water in sinks, tubs and showers
many electric outlets - 16 in kitchen alone
large walk in closet main BR
no-skid flooring kitchen and bathroom
Large closets in all other rooms
main bathroom multiple closets and under counter storage
built on crawl space - no stairs
overhead fans in all rooms
safe, patrolled community
rheostat controlled lighting
no maintenance brick front and vinyl siding
architectural roofing
well designed heat, A/C even heat all rooms
Because it is located in an Continuing Care Retirement Community we have transportation access to transportation to stores, doctors and entertainment... casinos, plays, concerts etc. the biggest bonus is that we will have "first dibbs" should we have to move into the community apartments, rehab programs, assisted living, or nursing home accommodations.
Peace of mind for seniors;
Please add other user friendly features for anyone planning to design their own retirement home.