‘Liveable’ homes for boomers

Making life more comfortable for older Australians is becoming a priority among Western Australians.

Disability Services Minister Helen Morton recently announced Western Australia’s state government was introducing voluntary building guidelines, encouraging builders and architects to design houses that cater for the state’s rapidly ageing population.

The West Australian reports as part of the “liveable homes initiative”, builders would be urged to include several features into the design of a house, making it easier for those living in the home, as well as accommodating people with disabilities.

Possible features which may make it easier for baby boomers moving into their retirement years include wider doorways and corridors, level entrances and reinforced showers and toilets in case owners want to install hand rails.

The guidelines are not mandatory, but Ms Morton claimed the level of demand and interest from the housing industry and buyers would be strong; with rising housing costs not a concern.

“The reference group for the liveable homes initiative . . . has said that these universal designs can be built without any additional cost if it’s incorporated at the planning stage,” Ms Morton said.

Council on the Ageing WA chief executive, Ken Marston, told DPS News many people, irrespective of age, have health conditions that can make life difficult, adding “poor design features have serious impacts on health and wellbeing”.

“The ageing population may be the driver for change, and certainly appropriate housing for seniors is a major issue, but good design benefits the whole community, not just seniors and people with disabilities.

“Any additional costs associated with these changes are likely to fall as they become standard features,” he adds.