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ANDER
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D E S I G N B U I L D
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Make Your House A Home For A Lifetime
From the day we are born we are on the path to aging. Until we find that elusive fountain of youth, the clock continues to click forward, and today there are 77 million baby boomers preparing for retirement.
While few want to admit that they are aging, an overwhelming number of home owners have made the decision that when the inevitable occurs, they want to grow old gracefully — and independently — in their own homes. Because the vast majority of homes we live in are not well designed for aging, a new movement in residential construction has sprung up to meet this new consumer demand. America needs trained remodelers, designers and builders to upgrade our homes so we can comfortably “age in place.”
What is “aging-in-place” exactly? Aging-in-place means living in your home safely, independently and comfortably, regardless of age or agility level. It addresses the need to design new homes, and remodel existing residences, to allow people to remain in their current home as they grow older.
The easiest way to prepare for aging-in-place is to include universal design features when you are building a home or embarking on a current remodeling project. The following features can be added during construction or remodeling jobs for little or no extra cost to you:
Getting safely and securely in and out of the house
•Better outdoor lighting, such as path lighting to the front or rear door
Better outdoor lighting, such as path lighting to the front or rear door•Attractive ramps or a “zero step entrance” for the home
Attractive ramps or a “zero step entrance” for the home•Package shelf by the front door
Package shelf by the front door•Handrails at steps and porches
Handrails at steps and porches•One-story ranch designs for new homes
One-story ranch designs for new homesChanges in the kitchen for easier meal preparation and eating
•Lever-handle faucets with a pull-out sprayer
Lever-handle faucets with a pull-out sprayer•Raised dishwasher to avoid back strain (a good idea for front-loading washers and dryers, too)
Raised dishwasher to avoid back strain (a good idea for front-loading washers and dryers, too) •Rolling island that can be placed back under the counter
Rolling island that can be placed back under the counter •Revolving corner shelves and pull-out shelves
Revolving corner shelves and pull-out shelves•Lower, side-opening oven
Lower, side-opening oven•Pull-out cutting board
Pull-out cutting board •Adjustable height sink
Adjustable height sink•Side-by-side refrigerator with slide-out shelves and a water/ice dispenser
Side-by-side refrigerator with slide-out shelves and a water/ice dispenser•Cooking range with controls on the front
Cooking range with controls on the front•Larger, more accessible cabinet and drawer pulls
Larger, more accessible cabinet and drawer pullsChanges in the bathrooms (the number one place for accidents in your home)
•Two to three attractive looking grab bars in the shower
Two to three attractive looking grab bars in the shower•Lever handles on the faucets
Lever handles on the faucets•Slide-bar-type hand-held shower, for sitting or standing
Slide-bar-type hand-held shower, for sitting or standing•Inset shampoo nooks
Inset shampoo nooks•Curbless showers, with nothing to step over, that can be rolled into if using a wheelchair becomes necessary
Curbless showers, with nothing to step over, that can be rolled into if using a wheelchair becomes necessary •Moving tub and shower controls closer to the entry point
Moving tub and shower controls closer to the entry point•Anti-scald, temperature and pressure balanced tub shower valves for safer bathing
Anti-scald, temperature and pressure balanced tub shower valves for safer bathing•Widening entry doors to at least 32 inches
Widening entry doors to at least 32 inches•Higher toilets
Higher toiletsMoving around in the house:
•Improved lighting with recessed fixtures in common areas and hallways
Improved lighting with recessed fixtures in common areas and hallways•Lever handles on doors and windows
Lever handles on doors and windows•Lower light switches and thermostats; raised outlets
Lower light switches and thermostats; raised outlets•Stack closets on each floor, which can then be converted to an elevator shaft if necessary
Stack closets on each floor, which can then be converted to an elevator shaft if necessary•Block in walls to accommodate a future chair lift
Block in walls to accommodate a future chair lift•Install doors that accommodate wheelchairs and walkers
Install doors that accommodate wheelchairs and walkersThe National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) training program, created in collaboration with AARP, can help you create your “livable home,” whether you are building a new home or retrofitting your existing residence. Look for the CAPS credential as a reliable way to identify professionals to modify your home or build a new one that is designed for a lifetime. CAPS graduates receive training on the technical and construction aspects and learn about the unique aspects and needs of older Americans. This article is courtesy of National Association of Home Builders.
Bobby Sanders, CGR, CAPS, is owner of Sanders Design Build. He is a remodeling contractor specializing in kitchens, baths and additions. He is a Certified Graduate Remodeler™ (CGR) and Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS) focusing on standards for making homes more accessible with an exclusive professional designation designed to emphasize business management skills as the key to a professional remodeling operation.
The CGR designation requires that graduates meet prescribed standards of business practice, possess a minimum of five years remodeling industry experience, have a proven track record of successful project management, complete a comprehensive education curriculum and pledge to uphold the program’s code of ethics.
The CAPS designation trains remodelers to help retirees and older adults remain in their homes safely, independently and comfortably, regardless of income or ability level, and continue to live in a familiar environment throughout their maturing years.
For more remodeling information call us at 806.457.8599 or visit our website at SandersDesignBuild.com.
