Barrier-free living: How to stay safe and self-determined at home!

Barrier-free living: How to stay safe and self-determined at home!

How long can you actually stay in your own four walls? A question that not only older people ask themselves, but also young couples who want to make their living spaces barrier-free. Ulrike Düro, an experienced architect, has been advising on this topic for twelve years on behalf of the Rhineland-Palatinate Consumer Center. Your free consultations, which are financed by the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, offer individual instructions for making living spaces barrier-free. Volksfreund reports on the growing demographic changes, which are particularly characterized by the baby boomer generation. These changes make the topic of living space design more relevant than ever.

The pregnancy subjects Paying attention to accessibility also plays an important role in the question of dementia. These aspects are increasingly being taken into account in the consultations, which underlines the relevance of the topic. The architects from the consumer advice center work closely with the Chamber of Architects and provide company-neutral suggestions that can be easily implemented. The idea behind these measures is to view accessibility not just as a duty, but as a convenience for everyone, regardless of age or mobility.

Important tips for barrier-free design of living spaces

• Der Sanitärbereich ist oft der zentrale Punkt, an dem Anpassungen notwendig sind; Zuschüsse zur Wohnumfeldverbesserung stehen zur Verfügung.
• Ein Dusch-WC kann die Nutzung des Erdgeschosses deutlich erleichtern.
• Das WC sollte von außen erreichbar sein, um im Notfall rasch helfen zu können.
• Hilfsmittel wie Griffe sind auch in Mietwohnungen eine wertvolle Unterstützung.
• Gartenarbeit lässt sich durch Beleuchtung, intelligente Bewässerungssysteme und sogar Rasenmäherroboter vereinfachen.
• Eine Verlagerung des Lebensmittelpunkts ins Erdgeschoss trägt zur Sturzprävention bei.
• Und ganz wichtig: Überflüssige Gegenstände sollten entfernt werden, um ein sicheres Umfeld zu schaffen.

The aim of all of these measures is to promote independent living and to delay the need for care facilities for as long as possible. In its 30 years of activity, the state advisory center has carried out more than 54,000 consultations and organized numerous information events.

For those interested, there will be a special telephone campaign on July 16th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., where architects will be available directly to answer questions and provide advice. This gives experienced professionals the opportunity to pass on their knowledge and the concerns of citizensinsideto take up.

Current developments in barrier-free construction practice

The issue of accessibility is also a central topic in building research, as the bfb trend study 2025 shows. The aim of this study is to update the current data and facts surrounding barrier-free construction in Germany and to take into account the findings of the last five years. Barrier-free construction is now seen not only as a legal requirement, but also as a competitive advantage. The experts from architecture and construction should share their experiences and challenges here in order to meet future standards.

According to the bfb trend study 2019, demographic change and inclusion are massive challenges for the built environment that affect everyone involved in construction. The study offers important insights into the developments and trends in barrier-free construction and suggests future requirements that will be placed on structural design.

It becomes clear: Accessibility is no longer a marginal issue, but rather a concern that is important for a diverse range of people and life situations. If you inform yourself and adapt in a timely manner, you can continue to live comfortably and independently at home even as you get older - and that's what counts in the end.