This document discusses lifetime homes and guidelines for designing homes to accommodate older residents and those with disabilities or reduced mobility. It covers topics like the changing demographics of an aging population, population trends showing growth in older age groups globally and in Northern Ireland specifically. It emphasizes the importance of the physical environment in compensating for reduced abilities. The Lifetime Homes guidelines are presented, including criteria for parking spaces, entrance approaches, entrances, and communal stairs/lifts to be accessible. The goal is to design flexible, inclusive housing that can accommodate changing needs over time.

1. 1
LIFETIME HOMES ENVIRONMENTS
KARIM HADJRI & NICHOLAS HUMES
School of Planning, Architecture & Civil Engineering
Queen’s University Belfast
Friday 3 September 2010
Collaborative Networks in Ambient Assisted Living &
Connected Health

2. LIFETIME HOMES ENVIRONMENTS
CONTENT
1. The Changing Profile of Older People and their
Housing
2. Global Population Trend
3. Northern Ireland Population Trend
4. The Importance of The Physical Environment
5. Lifetime Homes Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes – Future
7. Lifetime Homes – Survey
8. General Considerations
2
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations

3. LIFETIME HOMES ENVIRONMENTS
3
“We know from the papers on demography that the
profile of older people is changing.
Not only do we have an ageing population but
certain groups are coming more into prominence.
These include those who are very old, those with
dementia, women, people who live alone and people
from black and ethnic minority groups.”
(Tinker, A. (1997). The environment of ageing.)
1. THE CHANGING PROFILE OF OLDER
PEOPLE AND THEIR HOUSING
DESIGN FOR AGEING
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations

4. LIFETIME HOMES ENVIRONMENTS
4
The world is rapidly ageing:
•In 2006, the number of persons aged 60 and older
was 650 million.
•In 2025, the number will be almost double: 1.2 billion
people will be 60 and older.
•By 2050, there will be 2 billion people aged 60 and
over in the world.
Our world is a growing city:
•In 2007, over half of the global population lived in
cities. By 2030 about three out of five people will live in
cities.
(World Health Organisation, 2008)
2. GLOBAL POPULATION TREND
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations

5. LIFETIME HOMES ENVIRONMENTS
3. NORTHERN IRELAND POPULATION
TREND
5
(Office for National Statistics, 2008)
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations

6. LIFETIME HOMES ENVIRONMENTS
6
3. NORTHERN IRELAND POPULATION
TREND1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations

7. LIFETIME HOMES ENVIRONMENTS
7
Dementia is set to soar in Northern Ireland with
experts forecasting a 27% rise over the next ten years.
New research by the Alzheimer's Society states that
more than 20,500 people in Northern Ireland will be
living with dementia by 2017.
The London School of Economics and King's College
London research, commissioned by the Alzheimer's
Society, reports that dementia currently affects 16,000
people in Northern Ireland.
(http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/)
Experts predict significant rise in numbers of
people with dementia in Northern Ireland
3. NORTHERN IRELAND POPULATION
TREND1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations

8. LIFETIME HOMES ENVIRONMENTS
8
(Passini et al, 2000)
As a person’s mental and also physical abilities
decline, the importance of the physical environment
increases.
The physical environment has a major role in
compensating for deficiencies and in maintaining
residual mental and physical abilities.
4. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PHYSICAL
ENVIRONMENT1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations

9. LIFETIME HOMES ENVIRONMENTS
9
5. LIFETIME HOMES - INTRODUCTION
The Lifetime Homes Standard was established in the
mid-1990s to incorporate a set of principles that
should be implicit in good housing design. Good
design, in this context, is considered to be design that
maximizes utility, independence and quality of life,
while not compromising other design issues such as
aesthetics or cost effectiveness.
Housing that is designed to the Lifetime Homes
Standard will be convenient for most occupants,
including some (but not all) wheelchair users and
disabled visitors, without the necessity for substantial
alterations.
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations

10. LIFETIME HOMES ENVIRONMENTS
10
5. LIFETIME HOMES - INTRODUCTION
In 2008, the Government published 'Lifetime Homes,
Lifetime Neighbourhoods: A National Strategy for
Housing in an Ageing society'.
This set out the need to build more flexible and
inclusive housing in order to meet the future
requirements of our ageing population.
It established the Government’s clear objective of
making Lifetime Homes the norm for all newly built
housing by 2013.
The strategy gave a commitment to ensure that all
new publicly funded housing is built to the Lifetime
Homes Standard by 2011.
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations

11. LIFETIME HOMES ENVIRONMENTS
11
5. LIFETIME HOMES - INTRODUCTION
The Overarching Lifetime Homes Principles:
The Lifetime Homes concept is based on five
overarching principles. These inform and establish the
functional basis for the statements of principle that
have been introduced for each of the sixteen Lifetime
Homes criteria.
Inclusivity
Accessibility
Adaptability
Sustainability
Good value
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations

12. LIFETIME HOMES ENVIRONMENTS
12
5. LIFETIME HOMES - GUIDELINES
1. Car Parking Width
Where there is car parking adjacent to the home, it
should be capable of enlargement to attain 3300mm
width.
Habinteg Housing Association @ http://www.lifetimehomes.org.uk/
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations

13. LIFETIME HOMES ENVIRONMENTS
13
5. LIFETIME HOMES - GUIDELINES
2. Access From Car Parking
The distance from the car parking space to the home
should be kept to a minimum and should be level or
gently sloping.
Habinteg Housing Association @ http://www.lifetimehomes.org.uk/
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations

14. LIFETIME HOMES ENVIRONMENTS
14
5. LIFETIME HOMES - GUIDELINES
Habinteg Housing Association @ http://www.lifetimehomes.org.uk/
3. Approach Gradients
The approach to all entrances should be level or
gently sloping.
Stated specifications and dimensions required to
meet criterion
As Criterion 2.
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations

15. LIFETIME HOMES ENVIRONMENTS
15
5. LIFETIME HOMES - GUIDELINES
Habinteg Housing Association @ http://www.lifetimehomes.org.uk/
4. Entrances
All entrances should:
a)be illuminated,
b)have level access over the threshold, and
c)main entrances should be covered.
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations

16. LIFETIME HOMES ENVIRONMENTS
16
5. LIFETIME HOMES - GUIDELINES
Habinteg Housing Association @ http://www.lifetimehomes.org.uk/
5. Communal Stairs & Lifts
Communal stairs should
a)provide easy access, and
b)where homes are reached by a lift, it should be fully
accessible.
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations

17. LIFETIME HOMES ENVIRONMENTS
17
5. LIFETIME HOMES - GUIDELINES
Habinteg Housing Association @ http://www.lifetimehomes.org.uk/
6. Doorways & Hallways
The width of the doorways and hallways should
conform to the specifications below.
Stated specifications and dimensions required to meet criterion
Doorway clear opening width (mm) Corridor / Passageway width (mm)
minimum minimum
750 or wider 900 (when approach is head-on)
750 or wider 1200 (when approach is not head-on)
775 or wider 1050 (when approach is not head-on)
900 or wider 900 (when approach is not head-on)
The clear opening width of the front door should be a minimum 800mm.
There should be a 300mm nib to the side of the leading edge of doors at entrance level
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations

18. LIFETIME HOMES ENVIRONMENTS
18
5. LIFETIME HOMES - GUIDELINES
Habinteg Housing Association @ http://www.lifetimehomes.org.uk/
7. Wheelchair Accessibility
There should be space for turning a wheelchair in
dining areas and living rooms and adequate
circulation space for wheelchairs elsewhere.
Additional good practice recommendations:
a)Provide a turning circle of minimum1500mm diameter, or an
ellipse at least 1700mm x 1400mm at floor level within kitchen /
kitchen areas. This may encroach under work surfaces that have
clear space below.
b)Provide in at least one main bedroom, a 1500mm clear turning
circle.
c)Provide a bathroom layout that meets the requirements of
Criterion 14 and provides a 1500mm clear turning circle if the
bath is removed and replaced with an accessible shower facility.
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations

19. LIFETIME HOMES ENVIRONMENTS
19
5. LIFETIME HOMES - GUIDELINES
Habinteg Housing Association @ http://www.lifetimehomes.org.uk/
8. Living Room
The living room should be at entrance level.
Additional good practice recommendation:
Also provide kitchen facilities on the entrance level.
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations

20. LIFETIME HOMES ENVIRONMENTS
20
5. LIFETIME HOMES - GUIDELINES
Habinteg Housing Association @ http://www.lifetimehomes.org.uk/
9. Entrance Level Bed space
In houses of two or more storeys, there should be
space on the entrance level that could be used as a
convenient bed-space.
Additional good practice recommendations:
Provide a versatile entrance level layout and planned circulation
arrangement that enables different use of areas according to
household choice.
E.g. A self contained dining area, with all services self contained
within that area, and individual window, that could function as a
bedroom (or be easily partitioned off as a bedroom if desired)
with the dining function relocated to other living or kitchen space.
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations

21. LIFETIME HOMES ENVIRONMENTS
21
5. LIFETIME HOMES - GUIDELINES
Habinteg Housing Association @ http://www.lifetimehomes.org.uk/
10. Entrance Level WC & Shower Drainage
There should be:
a)a wheelchair accessible entrance level WC, with
b)drainage provision enabling a shower to be fitted in
the future.
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations

22. LIFETIME HOMES ENVIRONMENTS
22
5. LIFETIME HOMES - GUIDELINES
Habinteg Housing Association @ http://www.lifetimehomes.org.uk/
11. Bathroom & WC Walls
Walls in the bathroom and WC should be capable of
taking adaptations such as handrails.
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations

23. LIFETIME HOMES ENVIRONMENTS
23
5. LIFETIME HOMES - GUIDELINES
Habinteg Housing Association @ http://www.lifetimehomes.org.uk/
12. Stair Lift/Through-Floor Lift
The design should incorporate:
a)provision of a stair lift,
b)a suitably identified space for a through-the-floor lift
from the ground to the first floor, for example to a
bedroom next to a bathroom.
http://www.freewaylifts.co.uk
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations

24. LIFETIME HOMES ENVIRONMENTS
24
5. LIFETIME HOMES - GUIDELINES
Habinteg Housing Association @ http://www.lifetimehomes.org.uk/
13. Tracking Hoist Route
The design should provide a reasonable route for a
potential hoist from a main bedroom to the bathroom.
Additional good practice
recommendation:
The optimum ‘reasonable route’
would be to have a connecting door
between the main bedroom (in which
the through floor lift would arrive –
see Criterion 12) and an adjacent
bathroom (with the ‘ease of access’
facilities – see Criterion 14), or
potential for a direct link enabled via
a full height knock out panel.
http://www.freewaylifts.co.uk
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations

25. LIFETIME HOMES ENVIRONMENTS
25
5. LIFETIME HOMES - GUIDELINES
Habinteg Housing Association @ http://www.lifetimehomes.org.uk/
14. Bathroom Layout
The bathroom should be designed to incorporate ease
of access to the bath, WC and wash basin.
Although there is not a requirement for a turning circle in
bathrooms, sufficient space should be provided so that a
wheelchair user can use the bathroom.
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations

26. LIFETIME HOMES ENVIRONMENTS
26
5. LIFETIME HOMES - GUIDELINES
Habinteg Housing Association @ http://www.lifetimehomes.org.uk/
15. Window Specification
Living room window glazing should begin at 800mm or
lower and windows should be easy to open/ operate.
People should be able to see out of the window whilst seated.
Wheelchair users should be able to operate at least one window
in each room.
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations

27. LIFETIME HOMES ENVIRONMENTS
27
5. LIFETIME HOMES - GUIDELINES
Habinteg Housing Association @ http://www.lifetimehomes.org.uk/
16. Controls, Fixtures & Fittings
Switches, sockets, ventilation and service controls
should be at a height usable by all (i.e. between
450mm and 1200mm from the floor).
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations

28. LIFETIME HOMES ENVIRONMENTS
28
5. LIFETIME HOMES - DIAGRAM
Habinteg Housing Association @ http://www.lifetimehomes.org.uk/
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations

29. LIFETIME HOMES ENVIRONMENTS
29
1. Implementation and auditing of ‘Lifetime Homes’
principles need to be streamlined to ensure
compliance. This is currently done manually.
2. Nicholas Humes (PhD student at Queen’s) is
developing an application called People Project to
support architects with their design development
and appraisal.
3. The project will also provide a scalable and
expandable tool, which can be adapted to suit
other specific design principles such as dementia
and autism.
6. LIFETIME HOMES - FUTURE
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations

30. LIFETIME HOMES ENVIRONMENTS
30
This survey was developed and completed by
Nicholas Humes as part of his PhD study.
Which of the following principles do you implement
into housing projects? (1= Never, 5= Always)
7. LIFETIME HOMES - SURVEY
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations

31. LIFETIME HOMES ENVIRONMENTS
31
Which methods do you use to check a drawing is up
to Lifetime Homes standards? How useful are they?
(1= least useful, 5= most useful)
7. LIFETIME HOMES - SURVEY
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations

32. LIFETIME HOMES ENVIRONMENTS
32
‘Lifetime Homes’ principles are costly to implement?
(1 = strongly disagree; 5 = strongly agree )
7. LIFETIME HOMES - SURVEY
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations

33. LIFETIME HOMES ENVIRONMENTS
33
‘Lifetime Homes’ People Project1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations

34. LIFETIME HOMES ENVIRONMENTS
34
8. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Reconnecting Housing, Health and Care:
‘Decent homes and lifetime neighbourhoods will
promote health and well-being in themselves, but this
approach also gives new opportunities to strengthen
the relationship between housing, health and care
services.’
Lifetime Homes:
‘We need to build much more inclusive and flexible
housing to meet future demand in an ageing society.
In particular, we need to build homes that will be
adaptable enough to match a lifetime’s changing
needs. This can be achieved by building to Lifetime
Homes Standards.’
‘Lifetime Homes, Lifetime Neighbourhoods: A national Strategy...’, 2008
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations

35. LIFETIME HOMES ENVIRONMENTS
35
8. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Specialised Housing:
‘Specialised housing is often defined by care and
support classifications, but should be considered from
the perspective of older people, in terms of the quality
of housing, location, services and the lifestyle it
offers.’
‘The great challenges will be the growth of the
numbers of people with dementia and their housing
needs, no matter whether they are being cared for at
home, or in specialised housing. Specialised and
mainstream housing of all forms needs to adapt to
meet this challenge.’
‘Lifetime Homes, Lifetime Neighbourhoods: A national Strategy...’, 2008
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations
1. The Changing
Profile of Older
People and
their Housing
2. Global
Population
Trend
3. Northern
Ireland
Population
Trend
4. The
Importance of
The Physical
Environment
5. Lifetime Homes
Guidelines
6. Lifetime Homes
– Future
7. Lifetime Homes
– Survey
8. General
Considerations

36. LIFETIME HOMES ENVIRONMENTS
THANK YOUTHANK YOU
k.hadjri@qub.ac.ukk.hadjri@qub.ac.uk
nhumes01@qub.ac.uknhumes01@qub.ac.uk
36