subject: Accessibility And Aging Within The World Of Interior Design [print this page] The senior citizen population, which is comprised of people aged sixty five and older, is the fastest growing segment of the population for years 1900-2000 specifically, the senior citizen population grew nearly four times faster than the total population of the United States.
Why is this? Healthier lifestyles, better nutrition, advances in medicine and better health care are all important factors. What does this have to do with Interior Design? Well, seeing as the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that between the years 2010 and 2050 we will see a doubling in the elderly population, its important now to begin planning good interior design for the elderly.
Restaurants, motels and hotels will need to be made accessible to the elderly, a feat accomplished through good and informed interior design. Retail stores, offices and other spaces will also need to be reformed providing the lighting, technology, seating, task areas and quiet places needed for elderly workers to survive and thrive. Shops and retail stores will need to become more accessible, and help elderly shoppers with assistive devices (and good interior design!)
The concept of Universal Design will need to be implemented. Universal Design is the idea that all products, technologies and environments stewarded by interior designers will need to be able to accommodate the widest range of people possible, irregardless of mobility, ability, gender, age or physical condition. Universal Design isnt just a design style its an entire design orientation, focusing specifically on the needs of end users.
Wide doorways, ramps, doorbells within reach of all people, wide aisles, easy to operate hardware, varied height work surfaces and good ambient and task lighting are all core elements of Universal Design. Without their widespread implementation, your spaces will falter, reduced to use from only a fraction of the population.
Codes and Standards in Interior Design
Building codes arent simply an annoying set of rules provided by bureaucrats - they exist to protect the safety, welfare and public health of all the occupants of any environment. Their primary goal: to create and safeguard buildings from fire, loss of life or similar emergencies.
