Designing With Harmony for Aging in Mind
Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.~ Alan Lakein
Aging in Place
It’s always good to revisit the basics on essential topics like aging in place, so here we go again. When planning for remaining home by choice in your “forever home” we intuitively think the built environment is the portal to living happily ever after, and it can be, along with a systems approach to aging well. Like any journey it is wise to seek professional consultation prior to designing with harmony for aging in mind. Sit down with an architect, Certified Aging in Place Specialist, builder or designer, and co-create your thoughtful dwelling. For now, reviewing the aging in place checklist can be an inspiring entry into the rapidly evolving realm of home accessibility (aka Universal Design). Here are some ideas from homeinnovations.com, I suggest you view their website for insights. Some additional notes were threaded in the list from *me.
Elements of a Home Designed with the Future in Mind
Exterior
Low-maintenance exterior (vinyl, brick)
Low-maintenance shrubs and plants
Deck, patio, or balcony surfaces are no more than a half inch below interior floor level if made of wood
Overall Floor Plan
Open Floor Plan with minimal obstruction is optional
Main living on a single story, including full bath (*called visitability)
No steps between rooms/areas on the same level
5-foot by 5-foot clear/turn space in living area, kitchen, a bedroom, and a bathroom
Hallways
Minimum of 36-inches wide, wider preferred
Well lit
Entry
Accessible path of travel to the home
At least one no-step entry with a cover
Sensor light at exterior no-step entry focusing on the front-door lock
There needs to be 32-inches of clear width, which requires a 36-inch door
Non-slip flooring in foyer
Entry door sidelight or high/low peep hole viewer; sidelight should provide both privacy and safety
Doorbell in accessible location
Surface to place packages on when opening door
Thresholds
Flush preferable
Exterior maximum of a half inch beveled
Interior maximum of a quarter inch
Interior Doors
There needs to be 32-inches of clear width, which requires a 36-inch door
Levered door hardware
Windows
Plenty of windows for natural light
Lowered windows or taller windows with lower sill height
Low maintenance exterior and interior finishes
Easy to operate hardware
Garage or Carport
Covered carports and boarding spaces
Wider than average carports to accommodate lifts on vans
Door heights may need to be nine feet to accommodate some raised roof vans
Five-foot minimum access aisle between accessible van and car in garage
If code requires floor to be several inches below entrance to house for fume protection, can slope entire floor from front to back to eliminate need for ramp or step
Ramp to doorway, if needed
Handrail, if steps
Faucets
Lever handles or pedal-controlled
Thermostatic or anti-scald controls
Pressure balanced faucets
Kitchen and Laundry
*Near Bedroom if possible
*Laundry chute if multi-level
Counters
Wall support and provision for adjustable and/or varied height counters and removable base cabinets
Upper wall cabinetry three inches lower than conventional height
Accented stripes on edge of countertops to provide visual orientation to the workspace
Counter space for dish landing adjacent to or opposite all appliances
Base cabinet with roll out trays and lazy susans
Pull-down shelving
Glass-front cabinet doors
Open shelving for easy access to frequently used items
Appliances
Easy to read controls
Washing machine and dryer raised 12-15 inches above floor
Front loading laundry machines
Microwave oven at counter height or in wall
Side-by-side refrigerator/freezer
Side-swing or wall oven
Raised dishwasher with push-button controls
Electric cook top with level burners for safety in transferring between the burners, front controls, and downdraft feature to pull heat away from user; light to indicate when surface is hot
Miscellaneous
30-inch by 48-inch clear space at appliances or 60-inch diameter clear space for turns
Multi-level work areas to accommodate cooks of different heights
Open under-counter seated work areas
Placement of task lighting in appropriate work areas
Loop handles for easy grip and pull
Pull-out spray faucet; levered handles
In multi-story homes, laundry chute or laundry facilities in master bedroom
Bathroom
Wall support and provision for adjustable and/or varied height counters and removable base cabinets
Contrasting color edge border at countertops
At least one wheelchair maneuverable bath on main level with 60-inch turning radius or acceptable T-turn space and 36-inch by 36-inch or 30-inch by 48-inch clear space
Bracing in walls around tub, shower, shower seat, and toilet for installation of grab bars to support 250-300 pounds
If stand-up shower is used in main bath, it is curb-less and minimum of 36-inches wide
Bathtub – lower for easier access
Fold down seat in the shower
Adjustable/handheld showerheads, 6-foot hose
Tub/shower controls offset from center
Shower stall with built-in antibacterial protection
Light in shower stall
Toilet two and half inches higher than standard toilet (17-19 inches) or height-adjustable
Design of the toilet paper holder allows rolls to be changed with one hand
Wall-hung sink with knee space and panel to protect user from pipes
Slip-resistant flooring in bathroom and shower
Stairways, Lifts, and Elevators
Adequate handrails on both sides of stairway, one and a quarter inch diameter
Increased visibility of stairs through contrast strip on top and bottom stairs, color contrast between treads and risers on stairs and use of lighting
Multi-story homes may provide either pre-framed shaft (i.e., stacked closets) for future elevator, or stairway width must be minimum of four feet to allow space for lift
Residential elevator or lift
Ramps
Slope no greater than one-inch rise for each 12-inches in length, adequate handrails
Five-foot landing provided at entrance
Two-inch curbs for safety
Storage
Adjustable closet rods and shelves
Lighting in closets
Easy open doors that do not obstruct access
Electrical, Lighting, Safety, and Security
Light switches by each entrance to halls and rooms
Light receptacles with at least two bulbs in vital places (exits, bathroom)
Light switches, thermostats, and other environmental controls placed in accessible locations no higher than 48 inches from floor
Electrical outlets 15-inches on center from floor; may need to be closer than 12-feet apart
Clear access space of 30-inches by 48-inches in front of switches and controls
Rocker or touch light switches
Audible and visual strobe light system to indicate when the doorbell, telephone or smoke or CO2 detectors have been activated
High-tech security/intercom system that can be monitored, with the heating, air conditioning and lighting, from any TV in the house
Easy-to-see and read thermostats
Pre-programmed thermostats
Flashing porch light or 911 switch
Direct wired to police, fire and EMS (as option)
Home wired for security
Home wired for computers
Flooring
Smooth, non-glare, slip-resistant surfaces, interior and exterior
If carpeted, use low (less than a half inch high pile) density, with firm pad
Color/texture contrast to indicate change in surface levels
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
HVAC should be designed so filters are easily accessible
Energy-efficient units
Windows that can be opened for cross ventilation, fresh air
Energy-Efficient Features
In-line framing with two by six studs spaced 24-inches on center
Air-barrier installation and sealing of duct work with mastic
Reduced-size air conditioning units with gas furnaces
Mechanical fresh air ventilation, installation of air returns in all bedrooms and use of carbon monoxide detectors
Installation of energy efficient windows with Low-E glass
Reduced Maintenance/Convenience Features
Easy to clean surfaces
Central vacuum
Built-in pet feeding system
Built-in recycling system
Video phones
Intercom system
More
Separate apartment for rental income or future caregiver
Flex room that can used as a nursery or playroom when the children are young and as a home office later; if combined with a full bath, room could also be used for an aging parent/aging in place
Source: HomeInnovation.com
________________________________________________________________________________________________
*Note of caution, this is just one aspect of your aging in place plan, albeit a key one, but not the only one! Just as a reminder I will include my equation for longevity with has other components of a successful aging well strategy:
EAT < MOVE + PURPOSE + GROWTH MINDSET + DEEP SLEEP + AGING-IN-PLACE HOME DESIGN X COMMUNITY = LONGEVITY