On Monday I wrote about why seniors seem to be thumbing their collective noses at Universal Design. Thumbing noses is a bit extreme but I think you know what I mean. We have pretty much established that many of us are in denial about our own present or future needs.
People who have decided to invite aging relatives to live with them are the most likely to embark on senior friendly remodeling projects. If that is what it takes to make you feel better about it so-be-it, it is a good place to start. Think of it as Mom or Aunt Susie once again having a positive influence on your life.
I browsed through the book “Universal Design for the Home” by Wendy A. Jordan and liked what I saw. If we decide to move I now know what I will be looking for. Frankly of all of the houses and floor models that I have seen the most universal design friendly are the ones featured in manufactured homes, but that doesn’t mean that other’s aren’t out there. Still, a lot of us can’t afford new homes right now.
The first decision to make is whether you are going to remodel your existing home or build a new one. The second decision is whether you are looking at a short term fix for Mom, or if you have the foresight to be thinking about your own future.
Universal Design features really aren’t that scary. Look around your own home and think about what you could do to make your home a safer and more convenient place. I did that and it was quite an eye opener. Our split level is 40 or more years old and it is a pretty common design. Contractors at that time weren’t known for having a lot of imagination.
Universal Design specifications tell us that it would be good if at least one entry area had no steps. That makes sense doesn’t it? Our house has a slopping driveway and two flights of four steps just to get into the house. There are seven more steps from the foyer to the living area and seven more down to the laundry and lower level. Split-level houses may have seemed like a good idea 40 years ago, but it doesn’t look so good now.
The foyer has a high ceiling and you need a ladder to dust the light fixtures and reach the corners. Whose idea was that? The doorways are standard size (which means probably not wide enough for a wheelchair, and the corners mostly sharp right angle turns). The only thing remotely universal is there are no hidden or sunken steps, and fortunately the thresholds are all level. The stairs are not low and deep and they do not have handrails on both sides. Light switches are in the standard places, which mean too high up to reach easily from a seated position. The electrical outlets (except the ones above kitchen counters) are at floor level. We do not have easy grip door handles, drawer hardware, faucets and the appliances are all standard. We have plenty of lighting because we all like to read, but no ceiling lights in the living room. It is difficult to clean or remove screens from the living area windows. The living room and dining room are fairly open and are good sized. I don’t know what to say about the French Doors that open onto a deck that has 14 stair steps down to the lawn. This is just a first glance at the main living area. I plan to scrutinize a few more rooms over the next few days. Can this house be rehabilitated?
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