After her father lost his ability to walk, Hongkonger Anita Au spent about HK$1 million (US$128,816) removing safety hazards and redesigning her parents’ house to meet older people’s needs.
The five months of renovations to make the 400 sq ft flat in Aberdeen wheelchair friendly were carried out last year so that Au’s 86-year-old father, who now relies on a walking frame thanks to rehabilitation sessions, could move easily. Her mother, 84, also relies on a cane to walk.
The partition between two bedrooms was torn down to form a bigger room to later accommodate a large nursing bed. A new room was built to house a domestic helper who looked after the elderly couple.
The bathroom was also redesigned. The bathtub was replaced with a walk-in shower, with grab bars and a shower stool installed. The floor was made slip-resistant.
Au said it was the first time the entire flat had been renovated. Despite the cost, she said the works were necessary.
“The renovation meets my parents’ needs as they grow older and provides a safer, more comfortable living environment for them,” she said.
Au, who manages social workers in an NGO, added that she would also consider carrying out similar modifications for her own home to create a safer living place later when she retired.
