In the twilight of their lives, the elderly couple found solace in their sprawling house gifted by their children. This architectural wonder boasted air-conditioned rooms, beautifully set up toilets, and everything an ordinary human being could dream of. They had been trained to use computers to interact, and even the grandchildren would speak to them in broken Malayalam, bridging two time zones.

Owing to health issues, the elderly couple never ventured into the first floor, as climbing the stairs was difficult for them. Despite its grandeur, the sprawling house enveloped in sullen silence became too overwhelming for them.

One day, the elderly woman fell in the bathroom fitted with slippery tiles, and that’s when everything changed. The once warm and cozy house turned into a hazardous dwelling. Confined to a wheelchair, the old lady realized she could not enter the bathroom without assistance anymore, as the wheelchair would not fit through the door. Even when she managed to enter with the support of the maid, there were no handrails or grab bars, making her completely dependent on external support.

This was a story narrated by a friend who witnessed the pathetic condition of the parents of another friend. Upon hearing about the woes of his friends’ parents, it struck me that Keralites are often obsessed with mansion-like houses. We prioritize Italian marbles, imported lights, bathroom fittings, and even chandeliers to give an aesthetic appeal to our homes. The modular kitchens, state-of-the-art electronic equipment, and other facilities make the house look younger and smarter. We tend to believe that the inhabitants will remain forever young. Nobody is an exception, not even me, when we design houses that defy the aging process.

Have we ever thought about installing sturdy grab bars and handrails in key areas such as bathrooms, near toilets, and along hallways? Many of us, concerned about aesthetics, consider handrails to be eyesores. We only realize their importance in providing crucial support and stability for the elderly when we ourselves become old and in need.

Even the flooring, with its beautiful yet slippery tiles, is not skid-free. Most household accidents involving the elderly occur due to the lack of slip-resistant floors, especially in places like bathrooms. Although the mirror-like tiles look gorgeous and give a great look to the floor, the best way forward is to use non-slip flooring materials throughout the house, particularly in areas prone to water spillage like bathrooms and kitchens. This helps prevent slips and falls, which are common among the elderly.

The absence of grab bars also prevents many elderly people from using toilets properly, turning dependence on others into a traumatic experience.

We often forget that designing houses to be elderly-friendly is crucial in providing a safe and comfortable living environment for senior citizens. Despite visiting numerous houses of friends and relatives, I have rarely seen barrier-free entrances with ramps instead of stairs to facilitate easy access for individuals with mobility challenges. While some houses have handrails along staircases and in bathrooms, the presence of different floor levels within the same floor often makes movement difficult for senior citizens.

Proper lighting is essential in every household to enhance visibility and prevent accidents. Additionally, switches should be placed at appropriate heights for easy reach.

Despite spending money on luxury, we seem least bothered about seeking the advice and assistance of designers, architects, or other professionals with expertise in accessible design. We fail to consider individual needs when implementing what we call elderly-friendly modifications, and end up creating abodes that are not really functional or comfortable for the oldy-goldy.