Age in place is near and dear to the hearts of Elements. Experiencing a parent that had an unexpected disability first hand made us realize the importance of Age in Place. Also, watching as our grandparents, and now parents, get older opens your eyes. Because of this, Elements focuses on a home that will not only work for you today, but for many years down the road.

With the help of the National Association of Home Builders, we compiled this checklist with important steps that need to be taken to make sure that you can age in place.

Age in Place: Checklist of Important Considerations

Exterior

  • Low-maintenance exterior (More brick, stone, and stucco)
  • Low-maintenance shrubs and plants that still have style
  • Deck, patio, or balcony surfaces are no more than a half inch below interior floor level, if made of wood

Overall Floor Plan

  • Main living on a single story, including full bath
  • No steps between rooms/areas on the same level (exception with some modern designs)
  • 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 (no-step entry focusing on the front-door lock)
  • Sensor light at exterior
  • 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

  • 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/garage 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 there are steps

Faucets

  • Lever handles or pedal-controlled
  • Thermostatic or anti-scald controls
  • Pressure balanced faucets

Kitchen and Laundry

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-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 with 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 hand rails 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, with 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
  • Electrical outlets 15-inches on center from floor; may need to be closer than 12-feet apart
  • Light receptacles with at least two bulbs in vital places (exits, bathroom)
  • Clear access space of 30-inches by 48-inches in front of switches and controls
  • Light switches, thermostats, and other environmental controls placed in accessible locations no higher than 48 inches from floor
  • Rocker or touch light switches
  • Audible and visual strobe light system to indicate when the doorbell, telephone, and smoke or CO2 detectors have been activated
  • High-tech security/intercom system that can be monitored, along 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, on 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

Other Ideas

  • Separate apartment for rental income or future caregiver
  • Flex room that can be 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/age in place

Let Elements help you age in place.

As you can see, the details are quite extensive to Age in Place. That is why every feature must be considered when designing and building your home.

Contact us to schedule your Elements of Life Analysis© and let us put you in your Element!

 

Universal Design Resources

Additional resources to consult as you design a home suitable to age in place.

AARP – AARP’s page devoted to Universal Design

Accessible Design and Consulting – Mainly products that are available for accessible designed homes

ADA’s Standards for Accessible Design – A very comprehensive publication on accessible design

Jim Lubin’s Makoa.Org – Jim Lubin is a quadriplegic who created a wonderful website to help people with disabilities. This link is to his accessible design page. On a side note, “makoa” is the Hawaiian word for courageous.

Accessible Home Design: Architectural Solutions by Thomas Davies, Jr.

The Accessible Home: Updating Your Home for Changing Physical Needs by Creative Publishing International

Accessible Housing by Design: Universal Design Principles in Practice by Steven Winters

The Accessible Housing Design File by Barrier Free Environments, Inc.

Building for a Lifetime: The Design and Construction of Fully Accessible Homes by Margaret Wylde

High Access Home: Design and Decoration for Barrier-Free Living by Charles A. Riley III

Universal Design for the Home: Great Looking, Great Living Design for All Ages, Abilities and Circumstances by Wendy A. Jordan

Universal Design Ideas for Style, Comfort and Safety by RSMeans

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Age in Place Using the Elements of Universal Design
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Age in Place Using the Elements of Universal Design
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An article about age in place, including a checklist with important steps that need to be taken to make sure that you can age in place, plus links to universal design resources.
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Elements Design Build L.L.C.
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