Aging in Place at Home
The Benefits of Universal Design
As we grow older and our physical abilities change, our living spaces sometimes need modifications to help us function, prevent falls and stay independent so we can “age in place” in our homes.
Through a design approach called Universal Design, or UD, we can make our homes more accessible, operational and safer.
UD often involves simple, small changes that can make a huge difference. For example, retrofitting a home using UD can be as easy as changing lighting to reduce glare, installing wall-to-wall carpet, putting up two handrails on staircases or making thresholds smooth. Such changes actually benefit everyone, make living easier and more secure for people of all ages and abilities, from toddlers to seniors.
Universal Design sometimes can call for more involved remodeling like making a barrier-free bathroom with a walk-in tub or roll-in shower. Creating a more accessible kitchen may include appliances at lower heights and cabinets with roll-out shelves and handles rather than knobs. These UD elements are more of an investment but are still less expensive and less disrupting than having to move from your home to assisted living or a care facility. Retrofitting a home using UD also can be done gradually as your budget allows and on an “as needed” basis.
If you are building a home, you are in a great position to incorporate UD options into your new space such as widening hallways for wheelchairs or walkers, lowering light switches, raising electrical outlets and putting blocks behind walls to accommodate grab bars later. The cost of incorporating UD into the design of a new home is minimal, while having UD throughout the house can add great value for resale.
Interior designers and homebuilders who are Certified Aging in Place (CAP) specialists can help you decide which Universal Design elements to bring into your current home or to your new home’s blueprints. To find such a specialist near you, visit the National Association of Home Builders at www.nahb.org and on the homepage click “Find” and then click on “Designees” to find the CAP directory.
Find out more about how you can stay in your home and stay independent by visiting the National Aging In Place Council at hhttps://ageinplace.org/.
Universal Design Options That Can Make Life Easier
• Lights that turn on when you approach your home
• No-glare lights for general lighting, task lighting
• Rails on both sides of stairs
• Raised electric outlets
• Lowered rocker light switches
• Programmable thermostats
• Drawers instead of cabinets in kitchen
• D-shaped cabinet and drawer pulls
• Wall-to-wall carpet
• Wires neatly managed, off floors
• Grab bars by toilets and in showers
• Elevated toilets
• Roll-in showers, walk-in tubs
• Hand-held shower heads on glides
• Non-slip, low-maintenance floors in bathrooms
• Kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and laundry on one floor
• Side-by-side refrigerator/freezer
• Raised or lowered dishwasher
• Counter-height microwave
• Flat cooktop with front controls
• Stoves and sinks with open space underneath for seated person
• Separate, comfort-height wall oven
• Varied counter heights so cooks can sit or stand
• Beveled corners on counters, furniture and walls
• Raised, front-load, front-control washer and dryer
• 36-inch-wide doorways and hallways to accommodate wheelchairs
