Aga Artka Interior Design, LLC

Universal design pointers

May 3rd, 2009 5:13 pm

While working for a nationwide senior living company, I have learned a lot about senior friendly and universal design approach. The following are a few very important pointers to consider when remodeling a home to fit the needs of a senior, or selecting a senior living community:

• Main floor living – think easy access; you must be able to get around without the need of climbing stairs, installing an elevator or a ramp; save yourself a headache and make sure your bedroom and all the main amenities are located on the ground floor of the house/community.
• Space to get around – make sure your new home provides wide hallways (min 36″), wide doorways (min 36″) and a 5 foot unobstructed turning radius in the bathroom and kitchen; no matter how beautiful the place is, if it doesn’t leave enough room for YOU, it is not the best place to move into.
• Light all around – aging eye sees color differently than a young eye and it needs much more light to differentiate patterns, textures and hues; be sure that the space has various indirect lighting sources as well as lots of windows around.
• Lever over knob – levered door hardware is preferred for seniors; advanced arthritis makes it almost impossible for elderly to turn their wrists to use a knob style handle
• Accessible counters & cabinetry – for ease of food preparation, open under-counter seated work areas must be designed, as well as pull-down shelving, roll out trays and lazy susans

By modifying an existing home for aging in place, you bring independence, self-efficiency, and happiness back into aging.