Your retirement property should be of higher indoor air quality. Breathing capacity is vital for people approaching senior age. At home, there’s a higher premium given the closed-door environment.
Indoor Air Quality
According to the National Health and Medical Research Council, indoor air is the air that exists in a structure occupied by people of various health conditions for at least one hour. Multiple factors influence indoor air quality. These include:
- Moulds. Moulds often come from leaky pipes or excessively moist areas. Strong concentrations of mould can result in respiratory issues.
- Dust. Dust assumes many forms including dead skin cells and fine particles blown in.
- Outgassing. This is the release of vapours or odours from various sources including construction materials and new furniture.
- Pet dander. Pet dander often triggers sinuses and runny noses, and may escalate to more serious respiratory illnesses.
- Carbon monoxide. Smoke, gas stoves, and the HVAC system are noted generators of carbon monoxide and have proven lethality in large amounts as a colourless gas.
- Carbon dioxide. Excessive amounts of carbon dioxide lead to various side effects such as dizziness, shortness of breath, and increased heart rate.
- Cleaning products. Some cleaning products carry noxious smells.
- Volatile and semivolatile organic compounds or VOC/SVOC. VOCs trigger, among others, irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, plus damage to the central nervous system, kidneys, and the liver. Exposure to SVOCs may lead to cancer, damage to the reproductive and nervous systems.
- Particulate matter AKA PM2.5. PM2.5 is known for causing breathing problems and may even bring about premature death in people already diagnosed with heart or lung disease.
Solutions
A senior’s home can be regularly fixed up for optimum indoor air quality.
- Ventilation. Many windows should be opened up as much as possible to help air recirculate around the space and to reduce moisture and concentrations of pollutants. Exhaust fans add up to the circulation, particularly in the kitchen (alongside range hoods) and the bathroom.
- Air purifiers and dehumidifiers. Some health experts may recommend buying air purifiers and dehumidifiers to increase indoor air quality and install them in various rooms. Air purifiers are equipped with HEPA filters, activated-carbon filters, UV-C filters, and ion generators; they are primarily designed to cleanse the air of contaminants such as dust and smoke. Dehumidifiers, meanwhile, control the space’s humidity and moisture levels to reduce dust mite and mould activity.
- Sensors. Determining the level of indoor air quality requires installing an air quality monitor, carbon monoxide sensor alarm, and radon monitor. An air quality monitor determines the level of VOCs and PM2.5 in a coverage space, along with temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide (measured in parts per million). Carbon monoxide sensor alarms analyse a space for concentrations of carbon monoxide and would ring when a threshold is reached. They are usually installed in kitchens and fireplaces.
- Radon monitor. Radon is a naturally-occurring, radioactive, chemically inert gas that is minimally present in soil and rock, but is lethal to lung tissue. While the ARPANSA attests that radon concentrations in Australian homes is minimal, this is only true for homes built of timber and on stumps while brick houses with concrete foundations. A radon monitor coupled with full ventilation can work to protect the household from radon contamination.
- Regular cleaning. Take time to clean up the household of all rubbish, including stuff in hard to reach places. A vacuum cleaner can work to the benefit, especially if it is engineered to optimum efficiency and low noise.
The ASAG Reverse Mortgage can help with the air quality in your retirement home
It’s never too late to fix up the air quality at home for you and your loved ones. If part of your Retirement Plan is to make your life more comfortable, one of our equity release solutions might help.
You don’t have to worry about ongoing payments because with the ASAG Reverse Mortgage, it is not mandatory. The loan is paid off when you permanently leave your home, either you downsize, move to residential care, or pass away.
Our team at ASAG is here to assist you with your enquiries about our reverse mortgage. Our lines are open on 1300 002 724 and at info@asagfirst.com.au so you can contact us or send your enquiries at any time.
You may also get started by using our tool below to assess your available equity.