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Universal Design
No doubt you have heard about the "graying of America". As a bona fide baby boomer myself, I am living testament to this phenomenon. I read recently that within a decade or two, approximately half our population will be age 60 or older. Combine this statistic with the trend of people aging in place rather than moving to retirement homes, and you have the making of a revolution.
This revolution is beginning to be seen in the housing and remodeling industry. Homes will need to accommodate occupants with decreased health, vision, mobility, hearing, dexterity, and income. There are a number of ways that new houses can be designed, or existing houses can be remodeled, to make life easier for people with such limitations, whether they be elderly or a teenager with a ski injury. And the bonus is that such modifications usually make the home more comfortable for everyone. This is the concept of "universal design"-a design that works for all.
Most issues related to universal design fit into one of three categories-convenience, security/health, and economy. Designs for convenience include anything that makes life easier, such as electric garage door openers, lighted switches, lever handles for doorknobs and faucets, wheelchair ramps, home elevators or stair lifts, wider halls and doors, intercom systems, and taller toilets. Showers can be built without thresholds, and the controls can be located closer to the entrance to make them easier to reach.
To be easier on the back, counter tops can be made taller or designed to permit easy wheelchair access by removing or recessing the base cabinets. Counters, shelves, and even appliances can be designed to be adjustable in height to adapt to changing needs. Other conveniences include central vacuum systems with outlets in every room to prevent lugging around heavy machinery, automatic sprinkler systems to make lawn maintenance easier, and pull-out storage trays in base cabinets or under the bed. Old double-hung windows are notoriously difficult to operate. They can be replaced with new casement or awning windows with convenient operator handles, and can even be electrically operated.
Safety considerations include protecting against scalding from hot water. The easiest remedy is to reduce the temperature setting of the hot water heater a lower setting, perhaps 140 degrees F. New faucet designs are available which protect from scalding, and also are pressure-balanced to maintain constant temperature regardless of pressure fluctuations. The installation of a hot water dispenser in the kitchen can add convenience, and also minimize the likelihood of spilling boiling water from a pan or coffeepot.
Good lighting can also make the home safer, whether providing outdoor security, or making it easier to read the labels on medicine bottles in the bathroom. Older eyes can require up to three times as much light to see clearly. Good lighting can also make it safer to negotiate the various obstacles found in any home.
Slip resistant surfaces should be installed on all floors. Level changes in flooring and throw rugs are dangerous and should be eliminated. Grab-bars can be installed in the shower and tub areas, as well as in the water closet. During new construction or remodeling, consider installing solid wooden blocking in strategic areas behind the wall surface to facilitate installation of grab bars in the future. Handrails and railings should be checked to insure they are strong and sturdy, and that their profile allows for a secure grip. Handrails on stairs should be returned to the wall at both ends to prevent catching on clothing and causing a fall. Fall hazards can also be reduced by installing heated sections of sidewalks to prevent ice accumulation in winter.
Don't forget fire safety. Install smoke detectors strategically throughout the home, preferably the type powered by 110 volt house current to avoid battery maintenance. Install appropriate fire extinguishers, especially in the kitchen, and use fire-retardant upholstery and bedding. Cooktops are available with staggered burners and front controls to avoid having to reach over burners to reach those in the back. Also install ground fault circuit interrupters (GDCI) outlets in kitchen and bath areas where there is a high danger of electrical shock.
Elderly homeowners are more likely to be able to afford to stay at home if they can reduce the expenses of operating and maintaining their home. Inefficient furnaces and appliances, and drafty windows or doors can drain budgets of those on fixed incomes. There are many materials and products on the market now that require little or no maintenance for thirty or forty years, including roofing materials, siding, and windows with aluminum or vinyl cladding. Appliances, furnaces, and air conditioners have all become remarkably more efficient in recent years, and are more reliable, too. When choosing new products, consider the overall cost of the product over the expected lifetime of the product. An appliance that is more expensive initially may be cheaper in the long run because of lower operating and maintenance costs, and because it will last longer. Consumer Reports is a good source of information for many products in the home.
There are many other ideas for making the home safe and convenient for everyone. If you are looking for more information , I can recommend "Barrier Free Housing", a book by Gary D. Branson published by Betterway Publications, Inc.
