Because today’s new buildings will be around for decades, constructing them with the elderly in mind will profit everyone. Kai Fischer, Head of Construction Finance at Allianz Germany, explains ‘barrier-free living’ and how to do it right.
 | Kai Fischer, Head of Construction Finance, Allianz"More and more people will have to confront age-related problems - they might struggle to move easily, or lose their sight, or require a high level of care." (Photo: Allianz) |
Two thirds of the German population would prefer to spend the rest of their lives within their own four walls. But will they be able to? For many young property owners the idea that one day they might not be able to cope with a home full of dangerous edges, narrow corners, and steep staircases will sound strange. But independence during old age is an important asset – one that you can start working towards in early life.
Barrier-free homes – doesn’t this sound a bit awkward?
You could also call it 'universal design' or 'design for everyone'. Basically, it means the same thing. We are currently facing an enormous social challenge: Thanks to medical progress our life expectancy is steadily increasing. This is amazing, but it also means that more and more people will have to confront age-related problems - they might struggle to move easily, or lose their sight, or require a high level of care.
At the same time birth rates are declining. In many developed countries the number of young people is constantly decreasing, which leads to a steady decline of potential support for senior citizens.
In addition, households where several generations live together and support each other have become very rare in comparison with single-person households and two-person households. This tendency, connected with a widespread desire to live a self-determined life in one's own home up to old age, shows how important barrier-free building has become.
 | Picture Gallery (click on the image to start)Ten ways to make your home barrier free |
Why should a young and healthy person be concerned about this?
A lot of people are very interested in property once they have started a family. Often they already have children and plan accordingly: Railings for the staircase to avoid injuries; rooms that 'grow with the child'; maybe a room for specific hobbies. To integrate these considerations into the design of your own four walls seems very natural.
So it is only natural that we consider how our own requirements change over the years. We are not only talking about the age factor: what if a family member loses mobility through an accident or a disease?
Does this mean you have to choose between a stylish staircase and one that can support a lift later?
Of course you want to feel at home in your house. But it is possible to combine barrier-free building and design, for example by renouncing a spiral staircase. Instead, it would make sense to plan for more space so it will be easy to make changes at a later stage. Such arrangements should ideally be made in the planning phase.
Another example is the connection between first floor and second floor. Often it is built so narrowly that it is absolutely impossible to fit a wheelchair through it. Why not agree on a solution that allows a later conversion? A somewhat wider door frame, for example, might also be helpful when you move your furniture, or when you want to transport a baby buggy or the weekly shopping.
Another important consideration: Barrier-free building or the possibilty of a simple conversion increases the resale value or rent value of the property. In a market that will be increasingly influenced by elderly consumers, having the appropriate equipment can be a valuable attraction.
How can barrier-free construction be financed? What help is available?
Barrier-free building is a concern for our whole society. The German KfW-Bank has set up a program to help modernize housing space and allow for age-related conversion. This program comprises even more than the title suggests: Measures such as conversions for wheelchairs or the widening of a door for twin buggies are being promoted regardless of the residents' age. It also makes sense to combine the conversion into a barrier-free home with measures that help to save energy as well. Than you can get a double bonus.
editor: Markus Walter
publishing date: September 29, 2009
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