Dear Jean and Richard, My elderly parents need an easy house, not necessarily a fancy one. How do you go about balancing style and function within a budget? Bill, Blowing Rock

Richard: The first balancing act we do is around their age and abilities. Then in any creative endeavor, you have to make choices. But one thing we consider paramount is to give our clients more than they expect. When an older client chooses “style” as their first priority (smile), we still consider such things as maintenance, traffic flow, and accessibility. And we establish a budget up front.
Jean: In your case, Bill, it sounds as if your first priority may be ease of care and basic safety—so I’m guessing the shark tank is out. But that doesn’t mean the home has to be boring; it’s just that some of the choices narrow. For example, carpet is a good floor covering for elderly clients because it’s easy on the joints and cushions a potential fall. But the carpet itself could be a hazard if the pile is too high or the weave too loose, so consider more of a commercial weave. Obviously carpet is not the place to sacrifice quality to save money. Wood flooring can also be a good alternative
Richard: And we’re talking carpet, not loose rugs. It should go without saying any rug or carpet edges should be securely attached, and a rug on top of carpeting is strictly taboo. The American Disabilities Act website (www.adaportal.org) recommends a maximum of a half-inch total height.
Jean: My mother is 93, and naturally getting a little less surefooted. She uses a walker and a wheelchair. So I know first hand how important it is to keep doorways clear and arrange furniture to accommodate those—even if older clients don’t now use one yet.
Richard: For that matter, door and cabinet handles are also a consideration. Forget childproof containers—“senior proof” entries can be just as challenging. We have a senior client who has to use three different keys to go from the garage elevator to her condo. As long as she can, she will be using the stairs instead.
Jean: But the concern goes beyond entries. Any pathways in the home should be free of obstacles. You might say good-bye to most cocktail tables. Not only does mobility decrease with age, so does eyesight. Be careful when placing a hall table or mounting some three dimensional object on the wall.
Richard: For an idea of what it’s going to be like in a home, wear a dark pair of sunglasses, drink too much and throw on some heals.
Jean: Maybe not everything should be spoken. But that’s another subject. And we always work to increase lighting whenever possible for both safety, task and mood. And remember when choosing lighting, not only will you probably want to up the wattage, but be careful of some of the bulbs being used today. A few might be very difficult for an elderly person to remove and replace. Specific design considerations do not have to be at odds with a great interior.
Richard: And make sure the upholstered furniture isn’t low profile/contemporary or overly deep, plush/down cushions.