Incorporating Carers’ Accommodation in Accessible Homes

Carers play a crucial role in supporting individuals living with disabilities, particularly those who have sustained catastrophic injuries. At Steven Docker Associates, we recognise that the design of an accessible home often needs to accommodate both the individual’s needs and a carer. By doing so, this ensures that the person living with the disability can access the support required while maintaining as much independence as possible.

Incorporating accommodation for carers within the design of an accessible home is essential in achieving this balance. Carers accommodation must be thoughtfully integrated, ensuring that it allows for easy access, while also providing the necessary privacy and comfort for both the carer and the individual. This enables the individual to receive the assistance they need, when they need it, in their home, designed to promote independence and dignity.

Understanding the Needs of Carers in Accessible Homes

We are experienced in designing homes that accommodate both carers and individuals living with life-changing injuries. Carers accommodation must balance several important factors to ensure both the person receiving care and the carer can live and work in a supporting, functional environment.

When incorporating carers’ accommodation into an accessible home, we focus on three key elements.

1. Accessibility for the resident and carers,
2. Comfort for both parties, and
3. Privacy, allowing for independence and personal space.

Following a catastrophic injury, many individuals require 24/7 support, making proximity essential. The carer’s space must be designed to allow for easy access to the individual, while also providing rest areas, workspaces, and access to necessary facilities.

What Are the Key Design Considerations for Carers’ Accommodation?

Proximity

Carer’s accommodation should be close enough to the main living areas to allow quick response times, yet ideally located slightly apart from the primary spaces to maintain privacy.

Privacy

Separate areas for carer accommodations can improve comfort and allow rest while on-call. Private entrances for carers can offer additional privacy creating a sense of independence for carers, who may need time to unwind after long shifts.

Accessible Pathways

Ensuring that all pathways between the resident’s room, carers’ accommodation, and other living areas are accessible. This includes wider corridors and doorways, non-slip floors and level access.

Kitchen Access

Depending on the level of care, carers may need access to a kitchenette or full kitchen. This can be in a separate area or shared with the resident but is readily accessible. We often design projects that feature a separate fridge and cupboard space avoiding any confusion.

As with every project that we work on, we design projects with the clients and their needs at the heart of every property. If accommodation is required, we always take input where possible from those who will be using it. If we can’t we rely on our award-winning expertise to ensure that we’re meeting as many needs as possible.

A crucial element of this is ensuring that a carers space feels comfortable. Therefore, we ensure there’s the correct amount of space for a comfortable bed, a desk/workspace, and essential storage. Bathrooms are also nearby and accessible and as both the carer and client will utilise this, they come with features such as grab bars, a walk-in shower, and space for ease of movement.

Ensuring a Project Works for Both Our Client and the Care Team

At Steven Docker Associates, we believe that the family and care team are integral to the design process from the very beginning. Their input is invaluable in understanding how the home needs to function to best meet the needs of the individual with a disability. By working closely with the family and care team, we ensure the home is designed to provide the right support, comfort, and flexibility for both the resident and their caregivers.

When a project includes accommodation for a carer, safety and functionality are key considerations. For example, we may incorporate alarm systems that alert the carer if the resident requires attention. Our designs are also flexible, allowing for future adaptations as needs evolve over time.

Beyond safety, we integrate a range of practical features for carers, ensuring their workspace and living area are as functional as possible. Some of these features might include:

• A locker
• A safe
• An electric vehicle charger
• Blackout blinds
• En-suite bathroom
• Laundry facilities.

Space for Assistive Devices

When designing carers’ quarters, it’s essential to ensure there is ample space to accommodate assistive devices, such as hoists, wheelchairs, or walkers, should the need arise. We prioritise clear, uncluttered layouts that allow carers to move freely between the resident’s space and their own, ensuring easy access to assistive devices and a safer environment for both the resident and the care team.

If you’d like to learn more about our award-winning work and how we can help then get in touch.