With Britain being an ageing population, according to the Office for National Statistics, by 2039 almost one in 12 of us will be over the age of 80, with one in three babies born in 2013 expected to reach 100 years of age.
Although this older generation has longevity to look forward to, ageing also limits our mobility and can sometimes come with impairments. With this outlook, it’s important for everyone to consider how accessible their home is to older people – whether it’s for family or to safeguard your home for your own aging process.
One of the home’s most rewarding areas is the garden. It’s a space to relax, cultivate or have guests over for summer parties – but as you age, it often becomes a point of pride as many get into the hobby of gardening. However, it can also then become a hazard as you advance in age. In 2007, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) released figures that showed there were 115,000 garden falls, slips and trips reported a year. Whether you’re future-proofing your garden against your own aging, or making your garden as accessible as possible for elderly guests, here’s how to do it:
Resting areas
Make sure you place resting areas in your garden space to give any older residents or visitors a space to relax. In smaller gardens, this could be a bench or two. In larger areas with more planters and flowerbeds, you could add stools, or kneeling areas to allow elderly people to work on flowerbeds.
Raised Beds
Accessibility of growth areas is often a complaint for elderly gardeners. For wheelchair users a raised bed, which is between 18-24 inches high, is perfect. For those standing, building a larger planter that is around 30-36 inches high eliminates the need to bend down. If planning for wheelchair access, you’ll need pathways that are at least 3-4ft (91-121cm) wide. They should have enough room on all sides so that gardeners can reach the centre.
Decking
Decking boards provide a stable platform for elderly people who relax on. Decking is low maintenance, stable and if you install certain types of decking such as enhanced grip boards, which minimise the risk of slipping, they’re perfect for creating a ‘living space’ in a garden. Low-slip decking can help reduce the risk of slipping, which is the leading form of accident for all age groups in gardens.
Pathways
Ensure that any pathways between grassed areas or planters are flat and slightly rough to ensure they aren’t slippery. Flagstones and slabs are good options, but best laid with a slight slope or close butted to allow water to run off. Tarmac and concrete are both cost-effective and low maintenance, but aren’t visually attractive for a garden. Avoid cobbles, as they can be trip hazards for all ages. Replace any steps with non-slip ramps where possible, supported by handrails.
The railings of decking can also be a stability platform for elderly people to use as balance or grab rails – but you must ensure a skilled installer builds your deck so your railings are stable. Another positive way to use decking is to deck entire areas and add planters and flower boxes to them, so elderly gardeners can garden either from wheelchairs or with minimal effort – cutting down the time needed to grow plants without the effort required to maintain fully grassed areas.
Handrails
In any garden equipped for elderly users, handrails are essential. They should be placed, at a minimum, near any changes in level, steps or ramps. They should extend to 850mm above step nosing or ramp surfaces and should also be at least 1m over landing. Generally, rails are most comfortable when they’re not too narrow or wide to allow better grip. 45-50mm is a rough rule of thumb for their circumference.
Plants
Although it can be dangerous for older people to undergo tasks in the garden, we must remember that the benefits are impressive, including improved mental health, mobility and fitness. For that reason, you can’t rid a garden of the flowers and plants in the name of safety. Instead, strike a balance between beauty and safety by using hardy plants that can withstand the seasons with very little maintenance.
With a bit of careful planning, a garden can be easily accessible. If it’s to help you get around more easily as you age or to allow elderly guests better access, making the changes now will put you in good stead as Britain’s population grows increasingly older.
