The progressive advances and innovations in healthcare are enabling more people to live longer than before. As such, we have a groundbreaking and outstanding rate of aging people. As a matter of fact, there’ll be about 10,000 people turning 65 each day for the next twenty years.

This statistic has called for new solutions for aging in place. Homeowners want a place or home they can live in for a long time. Other than that, they want their outdoor space to be conducive, comfortable, and safe for aging in place, as well.

In this post, we’ve rounded up some landscape design ideas for the seniors. These solutions will undoubtedly guarantee that age won’t be an issue when it comes to feeling safe and enjoying your outdoor space.

Koi Fish Pond

There’s nothing better than enjoying a cup of coffee in your yard and watching the koi fish living in your pond. Not only they can amp up the appeal and value of your property, but it can also offer some rewarding health benefits.

For one, they can help relieve or alleviate stress, particularly for the elderly. Koi ponds can make you feel refreshed after spending some time relaxing and watching the koi fish. Also, they can reduce the risk of certain heart conditions, high blood pressure, and anxiety disorders.

It’s important to conduct periodic koi pond maintenance like skimmer cleanings and routine filter, to enjoy these benefits. Additionally, you may need to feed them more often since koi fish are ravenous eaters.

Adding Ramps

For seniors, a huge factor to consider in a landscape design is potentially eliminating or reducing the number of steps required to go from here to there. So, when you’re planning or designing a landscape that’s senior-friendly, you need to consider all areas or spaces of your property.

If these spaces have many steps, then you may want to look for a different solution. The best possible answer might be a ramp. Also, you may want to search for areas wherein you can re-grade and terrace to get rid of steps.

This landscape design can make a hilly area more steady so that it’s accessible with walkways. Whether there are steps, sloping walkways, or ramps, you need to install handrails on both sides, though.

Minimizing the steps is a crucial landscape project because a limited or restricted range of movement is typical with aging. Take note that falls are a common cause of death and injury for seniors, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Lighting

Landscape lighting is yet another effective way to make your home secure and safe even as you age or if you have seniors living with you. Focus on areas that pose fall and trip hazards, especially where you have steps.

However, generally, you want to ensure that your whole outdoor living space is well-lit so that you can safely and fully enjoy the space even after the sun goes down. Also, you may want to consider installing sensor lighting. These lighting options can help in preventing accidents by illuminating areas as you move around the property.

Adding Shade and Seating Areas

Including lots of shade in landscape design for seniors is very important. Most retired homeowners love to spend their time outside. However, the last thing they’d want is to sit outside in the sun all day.

For this reason, consider adding shade with a pavilion, pergola, or strategically placed shade trees. These things will offer a restful and pleasant place of relaxation in the yard. Moreover, it’s essential to incorporate lots of seating areas because it is yet another important design in an aging-friendly landscape.

Vegetable Growing Area

Most retired homeowners valued pastimes include vegetable gardening. In this case, you can add a special area for them to enjoy these things. But of course, bending and getting down on the ground can be quite challenging and difficult with age.

Thus, you can incorporate a raised vegetable growing area that’d make it easier for seniors to work and enjoy their hobbies without getting on the ground or bending over. Alternatively, you may want to consider building a potting shed to tend plant material or get your seedlings started.

Takeaway

The ideas outlined in this article are only a few of the considerations that must be undertaken when it comes to landscaping for the seniors. There are still a lot of factors to think of, and all of them are dependent on your space and needs. Because of that, a custom solution is vital.

Also, be sure to find a company that offers the best service and will consider all your needs in the design. Ultimately, as early as possible, particularly when you want to age in place, make your home conducive to aging.