Design For Accessibility http://www.designforaccessibility.com Tue, 05 Apr 2011 06:22:51 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 Home Modifications for Accessibility http://www.designforaccessibility.com/2011/03/home-modifications-for-accessibility/ http://www.designforaccessibility.com/2011/03/home-modifications-for-accessibility/#comments Sat, 26 Mar 2011 04:51:47 +0000 jennyharmon http://www.designforaccessibility.com/?p=350 Change happens. It’s one of the constants in life and we’re always in a state of adapting to whatever change we’re faced with at the moment. Whether it’s a new job, our health, people, or the weather…we’re always adapting to change. Some changes are welcome and others are not, either way we have to adapt to survive.
When these changes interfere with our daily activities, life can come to a screeching halt. Nothing is more limiting than losing the ability to access your own home with independence, safety and dignity.

When age, illness or injury prohibit your independence in your home, it’s time to evaluate your options. Many people think that relocation is the the only answer to this dilemma, however, solutions can often be found that allow you to remain in the comfort of your own home. These modifications include the following:

- Curbless shower
- Zero clearance entry to the home
- Enlarged bathroom with wheelchair access
- Wider hallways and doorways
- Accessible light switches and electrical outlets
- Wheelchair ramps
- Vertical lifts

In a depressed real estate market, relocating may not be a feasible option. But as they say, “Necessity is the mother of invention”! Modifying your home for accessibility is not only an opportunity to improve your quality of life, but if done well, can improve the appeal and future resale value of your home. When assessing the current demographics of our population, the option to remodel for accessibility is more appealing than ever before. Statistics state, that starting in 2011, Baby Boomers will be turning 65 at a rate of 10,000 per day! The need for accessible housing is going to increase exponentially over the next 20 years. If you’re confronted with the need to modify your home, it just might be an improvement worth investing in.

By, Jenny Harmon, Certified Aging in Place Specialist
President of Design for Accessibility
www.designforaccessibility.com

]]> http://www.designforaccessibility.com/2011/03/home-modifications-for-accessibility/feed/ 0 3 Ways to Prepare Your Home for Living With Alzheimer’s http://www.designforaccessibility.com/2011/03/341/ http://www.designforaccessibility.com/2011/03/341/#comments Thu, 24 Mar 2011 01:31:41 +0000 jennyharmon http://www.designforaccessibility.com/?p=341 As defined by the Alzheimer’s Association, “Alzheimer’s is a brain disease that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks.” The statistics are staggering; 5.4 million Americans have Alzheimer’s Disease, there are 15 million caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s and Dementia, and every 69 seconds someone in the United States develops this dreadful disease for which there is no cure.

If you or a loved one are confronted with this diagnosis there are several proactive things you can do to prepare for the best possible future. First, evaluate the accessibility of your current home and take the necessary measures to ensure you can remain in the comfort and dignity of your own home as long as possible. The three main features in your home to consider are the following:

The Entry
Is there at least one entrance to your home that does not have stairs? If not, you may want to consider altering an entrance to allow for easy access to your home. There are many ways to create a zero clearance entry without taking away from the appeal of your home.

The Bathroom
Does your home have a bathroom shower that can be walked into without the need to step over a ledge? If not, you will want to consider installing a curbless shower and grab bars. This can often be done without any change to the architecture of your home. In addition, many grab bars come in decorative varieties so you can easily add this safety feature without having to worry about an “institutional feel”.

The Stairs
As Alzheimer’s progresses stairs become dangerous and unmanageable. It’s vital to provide safety for your loved one and their caregiver. If you need to take stairs to freely access all the living spaces in your home, you may want to consider the installation of a vertical lift. They are much less expensive than an elevator and can often be installed without intruding upon the current living space of your home.

By simply modifying these three features of your home, it will be equipped to accommodate the needs of someone with Alzheimer’s as their illness progresses. In addition, these adaptations will provide safety and ease for caregivers. While it’s painful to imagine the advanced stages of this disease, proactive planning and preparation will benefit everyone involved and allow for quality of life and dignity for your loved one and those who care for them.

By, Jenny Harmon, Certified Aging in Place Specialist
President of Design for Accessibility
www.designforaccessibility.com

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