Making A Home Accessible For The Elderly

(People are living longer than ever before. This is an exciting fact that will bring many changes to the way our society operates. )

One thing that it brings to mind is that as people start to age, many will want to stay in their homes, but may find it very difficult to do so, because the home is not accessible for an elderly person.

That is why there are a growing number of companies and products that make remodeling a regular home into an accessible one easy and elegant at the same time.

A recent article posted on MSN.com by Marilyn Lewis, "Elegant remodels allow 'aging in place,'" discusses the various options homeowners have for making their home more accessible as they grow older.

"No one wants to think about becoming disabled or too old to safely stay in their own home. Images of sterile nursing homes abound, with wide linoleum hallways, wheelchair ramps and stainless-steel grab bars."

"But an increasing number of people are rejecting this gloomy stereotype. They're choosing instead to make their homes accommodate their changing bodies -- without forgoing the stylish creature comforts to which they're accustomed."

Home improvement companies and stores are catching on to these trends and are making products that not only provide accessibility, but are elegant and modern.

"Such high-design improvements originate in the 'universal design' movement, also called 'design for all' or 'inclusive design.' The idea, says Wolfgang Preiser, a professor of architecture and interior design at the University of Cincinnati, is to make homes and furnishings that work for nearly everyone, of all sizes, shapes, ages and abilities. Preiser is co-editor of 'The Universal Design Handbook,' a bible for designers, students, clients and builders."

"The movement is making inroads in the U.S. One measure is the marketing of accessible products by manufacturers like American Standard and Toto. The companies target, in addition to the graying market, younger families with children who find the appliances and fixtures useful during pregnancy and recovery from sports injuries."

Since this concept is relatively new to many designers, it is important to discuss your ideas and wants with the contractor or remodeler. There are various books and help out there that discuss clever ways to make your home both accessible and elegant at the same time.

The bathroom is one such room that often requires the most attention, because it can be very difficult to get in and out of a shower or bath, and dangerous as well.

"At Kohler's 'Bath Design: Aging Gracefully' site, the stress is also on design: 'The last thing health-conscious baby boomers want, however, are bathrooms that suggest old age or anything remotely institutional,' the site says. For easy bathing, Kohler suggests a 'shower tower,' starting at $4,541, with seven adjustable water outlets -- two showerheads, four body sprays and a hand-held shower, plus a safety valve that heads off sudden spurts of dangerously hot water due to drops in water pressure."

To ensure a successful remodel for accessibility, there are many things to keep in mind. Although you may be in fair health now, consider what could happen to you in the future during the remodel. . Widening the doorways for wheelchair accessibility and installing grab bars in advance are just two of the things you can do to get your home completely accessible.

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