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Your Home and Confronting Life Changes
By Chris Vandiviere
Living Well 50+ Magazine, July 2009, Lexington, KY
“What do we live for, if not to make life less difficult for each other”, George Eliot
There is nothing in life that we may take for granted. Circumstances change. We all travel through life with the expectation that tomorrow will be much like today. Yet, we know that the future is not so easily predictable. We plan for our retirement, hoping we are financially able to weather future storms, hoping that no major event disrupts our lives. But, hope is not a plan. The uncertainties of life visit us all.
As we age, we increasingly face challenges. Watching our parents and grandparents grow older we recognize how simple tasks can become more difficult. Around the nation, headlines describe the plight of seniors as they try to deal with everyday living.
Early in the 20th century, adults and those with disabilities had an average lifespan of less than 50 years. Those with serious disabling accidents or disease had a poor chance of survival. But today our expected life span continues to grow with advances in nutrition, medicine, sanitation and disease prevention. Today over 80% of the population lives past age 65. In fact, the 65 and over population is expected to increase from 35 million in 2000 to over 55 million by 2020. With advances in assistive technologies and housing we can continue to make their lives safer and more comfortable.
We all desire to remain in our own homes as we age. The prospect of leaving a familiar and comfortable place in which we live can be terrifying. To address the needs of the expanding older population and an increase in those living with disabilities of all kinds, the concept of Universal Design was born-designing living spaces for people of all ages and abilities, a term developed in the early 1990’s by Ron Mace, a paraplegic North Carolina architect.
In universally designed homes, considerations are given to convenience, comfort and safety. Features are evaluated on all design aspects to remain convenient and easy to use as time passes and physical abilities change. Universal design is not only for senior citizens and those in wheelchairs; the goal is to accommodate those of all ages and abilities.
In today’s housing market, implementing universal design changes can make an existing home meet the varying needs of homeowners of all ages while also improving the home’s value. Remodeling the home to incorporate such things as wider doors, lever handles for doors and faucets, shelving, appliances, and cabinets installed at convenient heights, changing heights of counters, or sinks, installing grab bars and other safety items, curbless showers or step-in tubs, a home elevator, chair or stair lift, a ramp, security systems and improved lighting systems all can be modifications to make life easier. Remodeling a home to meet the challenges of aging and disability typically involve a focus on bathrooms and kitchens, but may involve a complete master suite added to the first floor or more extensive modifications.
It is important to consult a professional when you consider incorporation of universal design features into your home and modifications that will allow you to remain there as circumstances change. A Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) has been trained to assess your needs and perform the necessary modifications to your home. CAPS is a program developed by the National Association of Home Builders and the AARP for general contractors, home remodelers, designers, health care consultants and architects.
Chris Vandiviere is Vice President of Universal Design Group, a Certified Aging In Place Specialist, and has
over 20 years experience in the construction industry. He can be reached at (859)983-1856 for no obligation consultations.
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