Sustainability Includes Senior Housing

We see people growing up, getting married, finding jobs, celebrating successes and personal victories when we are  young. Well, a lot of good things happen to us and we keep hearing a lot of positive news about ourselves and others, especially those with whom we grow. It is when we are full of hopes, visions and great thoughts.

The elderly people that we see today in Ghana, were once at the youthful stage of life. 

In this article, you will learn about how to provide housing security and safety to the elderly, some ways to make housing accessible to seniors living in Ghana or living in any part of Africa across the globe.

The concept elderly refers to a category of adults who have attained advanced ages, 60 or 65 years and above. I mentioned in my previous post (on Estatetum) that Ghana's ageing global population trends was projected to increase to 11.9% in 2050.

that means nearly one in every ten young adults will be a senior in 2050.

Here in Ghana, most of the seniors live in dwelling owned by household member; not necessarily the elderly. This means that the majority of the elderly live in either a family house or a compound house. Their security and safety matters. Make safety issues a top priority in the home.

Some of the elderly are victims of unsafe environments; both in rural and urban areas. Environment which doesn't support their comfort. Home that doesn't make provision for their safety.

Data from CDC shows that 2.8million adults over age sixty-five are admitted to the hospital for fall-related injuries every year. This should be a matter of urgent attention to housing developers in Ghana. Avoid the risk of falls around the home; be it family house or compound house. The elderly have suffered enough in their life cycle. They need safe and secure environment. The first step in making  sure an environment is safe for seniors is avoiding as many likely fall hazards as possible. 

Remove fire hazards near the elderly. Don't keep gas cylinders, hot objects, flammable chemicals or sparks close to their dwellings.

Bathrooms and kitchens have things like hard floors and water in common. Pay special attention to safety concerns in the bathroom and the kitchen areas.

Install no-slip strips to the floor as well as adding grab bars to the walls of both bathroom and kitchen to provide a secure handhold if they are about to fall.