Special Needs of the Elderly

According to the National Safety Council, the leading cause of death in the home, falls, took the lives of 10,700 people in 1998. More than 86 percent of these people were 65 years old or older. Understanding environmental needs for the aging has become a special design imperative for this century. In the year 2000, people 65 years of age or older represented almost 13% of the population. This number is expected to grow to be 20% of the population by 2030. Interior designers are creating environments that focus on the special needs of seniors and prevent possibly fatal injuries by selecting safe furniture, adding railings and grab bars where necessary and specifying non-skid surfaces.