There’s on old carpenter’s saying, “Measure twice, cut once.” The idea is that if you measure carefully and then cut, you can save a lot of time (and materials) by having something that is done properly the first time. Andrea Tannenbaum, founder Dynamic-Living.com and AdaptMy.com, recommends a similar saying for aging in place building or remodeling: “plan twice, do once.”
“Think through what features you would like to have for your home. Make a list and prioritize the list so the most important ones are first. You know, the features with the biggest bang for the buck. Then set your list aside. Now think through what changes life could bring before you get to build or remodel again. This includes the good and not so good possibilities: a wedding, a car accident, a birth, an older relative moving in, a diagnosis, a change in your financial status.
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| Dual use furniture: accessible bench with storage. |
“Now you need to think about the impact these potential life changes would have on your original list of projects. Does it change what the overall design might be? Would you include different features? Does it change the priority?
“This kind of exercise can even affect whether it makes sense to remodel or build. You might even discover it would be better to move. Maybe a few smaller changes, like rearranging the main living space and adding some accessible storage, could provide really important benefits and mean that a move or remodel isn’t really what’s needed at all.
“Sometimes it is really easy to fall in love with the idea of the project like a remodel or move and not really stop to ask yourself (or those on the journey with you) if what you are planning is what will be right for you in the long run. So, plan twice, and be more assured that the changes you make will really make you happy!”
Originally posted: 10/19/10 by aip@Home Editor
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| Before: this bathroom layout meant Katie needed assistance. |
Ken Bryan owner of KBC, Inc. did the design and remodel of this bathroom to allow their client’s daughter, Katie, greater accessibility and privacy. Her bedroom was an addition to the house done by by her father when she was 12. Over the years, Katie desired more privacy which meant remodeling her bathroom area.
The bathroom was built over an existing crawl space that allowed us to remove the existing flooring, taper the floor and recess the entire shower floor. Katie can now shower without assistance and on her own schedule.
Removing the linen closet wall allows Katie to freely move about. Both Katie and her mom (Joyce) are very pleased with the project and the ease of cleaning the urethane white grout.
- Remove existing small 3’ x 3’ fiberglass shower unit, small linen closet and existing flooring.
- Modify existing subfloor and recess new roll-in shower 3’ x 7” with tile shower floor, bathroom floor and shower walls up to the ceiling.
- Install fixed shower head and hand-held shower head on wall bracket.
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| During: Opening up the space by removing linen closet |
After: Recessed floor with roll-in shower, hand held shower |
KBC, Inc. serves the greater Cincinati, Ohio area, specializing in commercial and residential remodeling. Owner Ken Bryan is a Certified Aging in Place Specialist, Certified Green Remodeler and Certified Graduate Remodeler.
Click here to visit the KBC, Inc website.
Originally posted: 09/19/10 by AIPatHome Staff
One of the many challenges for Alward Construction in creating a fully accessible home from a turn of the century farm home was making it possible for the owner to get from one floor to another. Especially to his favorite level: the basement which includes a theater, food prep & dining area, sunken barbecue patio and an accessible full bathroom.
An elevator seemed the obvious solution. However, the owner was uncomfortable in closed spaces.
Solution? Add a window to the elevator and windows in the shaft to let in natural light.
Front of the house features a wheelchair ramp.
Looking at the back of the house you can see that the elevator shaft is completely integated into the home.
Originally posted: 08/24/10 by AIPatHome Staff
Professor Emeritus James J. Pirkl, FIDSA, executive director of Transgenerational Design Matters, offers this age-in-place design tip for achieving an attractive—and accessible—home entry, which improves the quality of life for all—young or old, able or disabled. This innovative “transgenerational” design solution:
- responds to the widest range of individual ages and abilities
- bridges the transitions across life’s stages
- extends one’s independence
- maintains one’s dignity and self respect
Easy-Access, Protected Package-Drop-Entry
A smoothly paved walkway, sloped for drainage, leads to a wide, well-lighted and weather-protected entry alcove. Park your groceries 
and parcels in the raised area while you retrieve your house keys (an optional remote controller offers easier access for people with impaired gripping ability). Wheelchair users appreciate the adjacent 5’-0” diameter, 360 degree clear turnaround space. The level threshold provides an easy no-step, no-trip access. The full-length side window permits people of all ages, heights and abilities to view visitors before opening the door (no peephole required). Once inside, place your groceries on the convenient pass-thru counter and retrieve them easily from the adjacent kitchen.
Click here to see more pictures of “transgenerational” designs.
Originally posted: 07/21/10 by aip@Home Editor
