Age-Friendly Building: Plan Today for Independent Living Tomorrow
Age-appropriate construction means planning or renovating a house so that it remains safe, comfortable, and usable in the long term, even if mobility changes. The core themes are always the same: low-barrier floor plans, level access, sufficient maneuvering space, adaptable bathrooms, and the question of how stairs and height differences are managed in everyday life.
For Lehner Lifttechnik, this last point is central. An age-appropriately planned house does not end with wider doors or a walk-in shower. At the latest, when living areas are on several levels or the house entrance has steps, a vertical solution is needed to permanently maintain safety and independence in daily life.
- What does age-appropriate construction actually mean?
- Which basic principles are important in age-appropriate construction
- The most important areas in the house
- Stairs and height differences: why lift solutions should be considered
- Funding and Planning
- Conclusion: Age-appropriate construction means forward-looking construction
- FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
What does age-appropriate construction actually mean?
Age-appropriate construction is closely related to barrier-free or low-barrier living. It refers to a living environment that supports independence in old age, reduces the risk of falls, and designs rooms so that they remain easily usable even with a walker, walking aid, or wheelchair.
At the same time, “age-appropriate” and “barrier-free” are not completely identical: age-appropriate construction is often broader in scope and also includes forward-looking adaptability and practical everyday comfort.
The Austrian service portal refers to the relevant ÖNORMEN for barrier-free construction, in particular ÖNORM B 1600 as the central basis for barrier-free planning and construction in Austria.
Which basic principles are important in age-appropriate construction
Several basic principles appear repeatedly in guides and specialist articles: a compact, clear floor plan, the shortest possible distances, level access, sufficient maneuvering space, and the possibility of accommodating important living functions on one level.
| Area | Typical age-appropriate approach |
|---|---|
| Floor plan | Clear paths, important rooms ideally on one level |
| Access | Few steps or level access, well-lit, safely accessible |
| Doors and hallways | Sufficiently wide and easy to maneuver |
| Bathroom | Walk-in shower, good maneuvering space, safe equipment |
| Vertical access | Consider lift solutions for stairs early on |
The most important areas in the house
Age-appropriate construction is usually addressed along the most important living areas: house entrance, bathroom, door and maneuvering spaces, as well as the entire living and sleeping area.
House entrance
Safe accessibility is the priority – level or easily surmountable access, good lighting, slip-resistant surfaces, and easily reachable bell and intercom systems.
Bathroom
Walk-in showers, sufficient maneuvering space, stable grab rails, and safe sanitary equipment are the most common measures.
Living and sleeping area
Sufficient widths, good accessibility of all important functions, and the avoidance of tripping hazards are crucial here.
It is precisely at these points that the limits of purely structural measures become apparent: a house can be planned ever so well – if central living functions are on different levels and the stairs become an obstacle, an additional technical solution is required.
Stairs and height differences: why lift solutions should be considered
A particularly recurring theme in age-appropriate construction is the question of how multiple levels in the house remain accessible in the long term. Many guides recommend thinking about how a later lift solution could be integrated even in a new building – whether through space reserves, suitable floor plans, or forward-looking access.
Preparing stairs sensibly
Even during construction, it can be considered where a lift could find space later:
- Slightly wider staircase for later rail guidance
- Wall structurally designed so that guide rails can be attached
- Provide power connection near the stairs
- Prefer straight staircases – easier and more economical to equip
Lift solutions as a component of age-appropriate buildings
Depending on the situation, different systems from Lehner Lifttechnik may be considered:
Which lift solution for which situation?
| Situation | Suitable lift solution |
|---|---|
| Walking is difficult, the stairs are used while seated | Seated stairlift (e.g., Alpha) |
| Wheelchair or walker must also overcome the stairs | Platform stairlift |
| Steps at the house entrance or raised ground floor | Vertical platform lift (Liftboy, StepSaver) |
| Split-level or larger height difference between floors | Vertical Platform Lift (Sigma) |
Age-appropriate construction – with the right lift solution
Whether new build or existing: send us plans or photos of your situation – we will put you in touch with a regional partner who will propose the optimal lift solution.
Funding and Planning
Accessible living is actively supported in many countries within the DACH region. Official information portals and funding agencies in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland address accessible construction as a distinct topic and refer to grants or support for disability-friendly home adaptations. The goal of these programs is to help people make their living environment safer and barrier-free in the long term.
Eligible measures (examples)
- Creation of barrier-free access
- Accessible living and sleeping areas
- Adaptation or conversion of sanitary units
- Lift solutions, platform lifts, or other lifting aids
Important: In most cases, funding applications must be submitted before construction or renovation work begins. Implementation should only commence once an application has been reviewed or approved – especially for larger measures such as accessible entrances, bathroom conversions, or lift solutions.
In addition to national funding opportunities, there are often regional programs from federal states, cantons, cities, or municipalities that support accessible conversions. The specific measures that are funded and the amount of grants available therefore always depend on the respective region and personal situation.
Conclusion: Age-appropriate construction means forward-looking construction
Age-appropriate construction is primarily a matter of forward-looking residential planning. It is about creating a house today that will not become an obstacle tomorrow. For this purpose, compact floor plans, low-barrier access, safe bathrooms, good maneuvering spaces, and, above all, a well-thought-out solution for stairs and height differences are recommended.
In the Lehner context, this means: age-appropriate construction is not complete if vertical access is excluded. That is precisely why stairlifts, platform stairlifts, or vertical platform lifts should be considered early on – whether as an immediate solution or as a clearly prepared option for later.
This way, it is not a house “for old age” in an abstract sense, but a home that remains safe, comfortable, and independently usable even as requirements change.
All information in this article is for non-binding information only and is provided without guarantee; for further information, please contact Lehner Lifttechnik directly.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about “Age-appropriate construction”
Not quite. Both topics are very closely related, but “age-appropriate” is often broader in scope. Accessibility is more closely oriented toward standards and clear requirements, while age-appropriate construction additionally emphasizes long-term everyday comfort and adaptability in old age.
The house entrance, bathroom, door and maneuvering spaces, living and sleeping areas, and access across multiple levels are mentioned most frequently. This is where the greatest advantages of forward-looking planning become apparent in daily life.
Yes. Many guides recommend considering early on how important living functions will remain accessible in the long term. This suggests including stairs and possible lift solutions in the planning phase – even if there is no acute need at present.
Yes. In Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, there are funding programs for accessible or age-appropriate conversions. These can include, for example, grants for accessible entrances, bathroom conversions, or lift solutions. It is important to check funding opportunities early and usually submit applications before construction work begins.