Design considerations for Aging in Place

CAPS projects create easy to live in, barrier-free homes that anyone would enjoy. Yet, each plan also considers disabilities that currently exist, or that may arise with increasing age. The goal is to create elegant, aesthetically pleasing, and barrier-free environments. In an age of greatly increasing life expectancy, what changes will allow you to continue living comfortably in your home?

Living with a parent (again) isn't for everyone. Elinor Ginzler, who co-wrote Caring for Your Parents: The Complete AARP Guide with Hugh Delehanty, offers suggestions to help both generations understand what they're getting into:

• Talk to everyone. This is not just about your aging parent and you. Remember that this will affect your kids, your spouse and your siblings, too. Talk together about what it will mean for your household to get bigger.
• Look at your house. Having an extra guest room may not be enough. Think about which floor the bedroom is on, and what it will mean for an additional household member to be using the bathroom each day. Consider that your family room may now be shared by your father who watches a lot of TV.
• Study your parents' current home. An older parent will want to bring elements of the former home into yours for familiarity. Make sure that what is brought will fit in the parent's new space, and be ready to find a place for a favorite old chair in your elegant living room.
• Consider your lifestyle. If you are accustomed to being out of the house every night at activities and community events, think about whether you'll still be able to keep that schedule. If you are used to eating at 7:30 p.m. and your parent is used to eating at 6, you'll need to figure out what is going to work.
• Learn about your community's resources. Check out the local senior center. Find out whether there are home-based services you might need, such as a personal care assistant to help out a couple of times a week. Maybe there is a community organization that offers a volunteer home visitor program so your older parent can have some companionship while you're at work.

 Here are some design goals you might wish to consider if aging in place appeals to you:

General Design

• One full bedroom on ground floor
• One full bathroom on ground floor
• In multi-floor homes, closets stacked in a manner that would allow for future elevator installation
• Door widths of at least 32" throughout the home, for wheelchair accessibility
• Lever handles on doors and windows
• Lower doorbells and front-door viewers
• Elevated front loading washers and dryers
• Rocker-style switches placed at 48" or lower
• Lower heights of thermostats and switch to easy-to-read models
• Raise outlets to minimum of 15" off floor
• Use visual smoke detectors/fire alarm/telephone alerts
• Use higher lumen value light fixtures in common areas and hallways/stairways (recent florescent technologies allow great lighting at a lower cost)
• Install built-in night lighting

Safety and Security Outside The Home

• One ground entry with a low threshold
• Efficient outdoor lighting
• Package shelf near main entry door
• Front door with sidelight for visual security
• Handrails added to existing steps and porches
• Provide space for wheelchair ramps if needed

Kitchens

• Lever-handle faucets with pullout spray
• Raised dishwasher
• Rolling island that can be stored under a counter
• Revolving corner shelves and pullout shelves
• Side-opening oven
• Pullout cutting board
• Adjustable height sinks and/or counter area
• Side-by-side refrigerator with easy pullout shelves, and a water/ice dispenser
• Cook top and oven with easy-to-read controls within reach
• Larger cabinet and drawer pulls
• Plenty of lower level storage
• Foldout steps to reach cabinets at moderate heights

Baths

• Two or three grab bars in shower or tub area
• Lever handles on faucets
• Adjustable height showerhead with hand-held showerhead
• Curbless showers that can become wheelchair accessible if necessary
• Tub and shower controls moved closer to entry point
• Anti-scalding and pressure balanced tub/shower valves
• Raised toilets with grab bars for assistance
• Non-skid flooring
• Wide door for ease of access
• Room to maneuver with walker or wheelchair
• Wheelchair accessible sink

Tech Options

• Keyless entry
• Emergency response system
• Intercom/video system for entry door
• Security system
• Video security system
• Power backup system
• Television-based system that controls heating, air conditioning, important appliances, etc.