Aging in Place in the Era of ChatGPT
Science and technology revolutionize our lives, but memory, tradition and myth frame our response.
~ Arthur Schlesinger (Historian)
Aging in place
Lately I’ve been thinking about how in the past specialized knowledge once set the professional apart and how they could capitalize on that (charge high fees). But in the era of ai and ChatGpt, all bets are off. And this includes the field of Aging in Place design and remodeling.
I prompted ChatGPT with this: You are an aging in place specialist and have done a home assessment for aging in place, show me your plan please.
ChatGPT
Certainly! Here’s the plan based on the home assessment for aging in place:
Client Information:
- Name: Mr. and Mrs. Smith
- Address: 123 Main Street
- Contact: [Contact information]
Assessment Summary: Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been living in their current home for over 30 years. They are both in their late 70s and have expressed a strong desire to continue living independently in their home as they age. During the assessment, several areas of concern were identified, including:
- Accessibility: The home has multiple steps leading to the entrance, making it difficult for Mr. and Mrs. Smith to enter and exit safely, especially in inclement weather.
- Mobility: Narrow hallways and doorways restrict movement, particularly for Mrs. Smith, who uses a walker.
- Bathroom Safety: The bathroom lacks grab bars and non-slip flooring, posing a risk of falls, especially during bathing.
- Kitchen: Countertops are too high, making it challenging for both Mr. and Mrs. Smith to prepare meals comfortably.
Proposed Modifications: Based on the assessment findings, the following modifications are recommended to enhance accessibility, safety, and comfort for Mr. and Mrs. Smith:
- Entrance Ramp Installation:
- Construct a ramp leading to the entrance to eliminate the need for stairs.
- Ensure the ramp meets ADA standards for slope and width.
- Widening of Doorways and Hallways:
- Enlarge doorways and hallways to accommodate mobility aids such as walkers and wheelchairs.
- Install swing-away hinges on doors to maximize space.
- Bathroom Renovation:
- Install grab bars near the toilet and shower to assist with transfers.
- Replace the bathtub with a walk-in shower with a low threshold for easy access.
- Apply non-slip flooring to enhance safety.
- Kitchen Modifications:
- Lower countertops to a height that is comfortable for Mr. and Mrs. Smith to work at while seated.
- Install pull-out shelves and drawers to maximize accessibility to kitchen items.
- Lighting and Emergency Preparedness:
- Improve lighting in key areas, including entrances, hallways, and bathrooms, to reduce the risk of falls.
- Install emergency call systems in strategic locations for quick access in case of emergencies.
Timeline and Budget:
- The proposed modifications will be completed in phases over the next six months to minimize disruption to Mr. and Mrs. Smith’s daily routine.
- A budget of $20,000 has been allocated for the project, including materials, labor, and any unforeseen expenses.
Follow-Up:
- Regular follow-up visits will be scheduled to ensure the effectiveness of the modifications and address any additional needs or concerns that may arise.
By implementing these modifications, we aim to create a safe, comfortable, and accessible environment that will allow Mr. and Mrs. Smith to age in place with dignity and independence.
New Era New Thinking Required
All this within 6 seconds! AMAZING! This was once (not long ago) specialized knowledge few possessed, and it took years to cultivate, now it’s available in literally seconds.
ChatGPT provided a decent plan, it must be fleshed in, executed correctly and efficiently—that still (for now) requires labor. This should be an eyeopener for aging-in-place professionals. It is hard to predict the future, but it would be savvy to start setting yourself apart from the crowd with some kind of differentiator beyond merely being able to design a plan and execute it. Important as those are, there will be entities who can automate and scale this.
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Vital Question for the Aging-in-Place Professional: What will be your unfair competitive advantage in the era of ChatGPT and ai?