Oklahoma County has more than 110,000 citizens over the age of 60 and local organizations and country government recently stepped up to support and provide options to their large elder population.  This week, the United Way of Central Oklahoma, AARP Oklahoma, the Oklahoma State Homebuilders Association and the Oklahoma County Government sponsored a Senior Summit to provide information, knowledge and options to more than 100 seniors in attendance. 

By all accounts, it was a great success. The feedback provided by those seniors clearly indicated that living in a home of their own choosing was at the top of the list. 

Break out sessions with the seniors gave the organization leaders great feedback on what might be on their minds and what just might be needed to take care of this significant group of Oklahomans.  While concerns about the deterioration of local neighborhoods, home maintenance and public transportation were clearly indicated, the majority also stated that being in their own home was top of mind, especially if certain modifications could be made that would increase the level of comfort, security and safety. Wider doors, bathroom safety, energy efficiency and elevating dishwashers were options the seniors stated would be in their list of preferences. 

As we age, life can present all sorts of challenges and consequences.  And if there is one thing that I have learned in my practice of design for more than three decades is that you can never plan for all the challenges that life will deal you.  But you can create a "safety" net that will help cushion some of the consequences and ease the challenges when you come face to face with them.

One is just starting to think more strategic and forward thinking.... like designing a home with more safety features.  Certainly one can add a grab bar to a shower but there are many more opportunities to do create safe and secure spaces.  Here are five top ideas that can make spaces more safe and secure by addressing the exterior spaces first....

(1) Start outdoors.  Place at least one set of house numbers where they can be very easily read by emergency personnel.  Imagine the frustration by police, fire or ambulance drivers who can't find the one house they have been called to.  And in such cases, time matters. 
(2) Create a defined path to the front or main door that anyone - no matter age or ability - can navigate. Make it level and flat when possible.  If the topography doesn't permit that, don't fall back to just building wooden ramps.  Build walkways and paths thru the use of landscape features to raise the approach to the main entry door. And by the way, one foot rise for every twelve feet of path will be just right.
(3) Make sure there is plenty of lighting around the entry areas and above.  Install a secondary set of lights to back up the main lighting fixtures because you never know when those light bulbs may go out,.. plus it's better to have more lighting in those critical areas and doing so will increase your home's security. 
(4) Install two peep holes in the main doors... one at a standard height about 5 foot above the floor and a second one at 30" above the floor.  Why?  Imagine the ability to see someone who might be crouching and up to no good. Better to be safer than sorry.  
(5) And a final thought,... in addition to a standard door knocker or door bell, install a wireless door bell system that can be heard from the main bedroom area. They are less than $30 at the big box lumber stores. That's a cheap price for such additional security.