Home Accessibility Check

So now that we have an understanding of “why,” let’s start exploring “what” we should look for when performing a home accessibility check. The main areas that Certified Aging in Place Specialists (CAPS) look at are:

• Entry ways
• Hallways
• Bathrooms
• Bedrooms
• Kitchens
• Garages
• Stairways
• Windows
• Lighting
• Exterior of the home

The solutions and suggestions that are developed after such a check are focused primarily on greatly increasing the comfort, safety and accessibility of the home. Below are some questions you should ask about your home. I consider it a “quick check” for universal design. Let’s look at the hallways, bathrooms and kitchen.

• Are your entries barrier-free and allow for the use of a wheelchair, walker or scooter?
• How about your hallways are they wide enough to allow the same?
• Do they have adequate night-lights?
• How about at the top and bottom of stairways?

Bathrooms

• Do they have enough maneuverability for a wheelchair or a walker?
• Do you have enough behind the wall support in case you need to install grab bars in the future?
• Is there at least one no curb shower in the home with a hand held adjustable showerhead?

Kitchen

• Are there any countertops at a height conducive for someone using a walker or in a wheelchair with enough clearance below?
• How about the sink area, cooking surfaces, or storage?
• How accessible are those areas or the appliances?
• For example in some cases dishwashers need to be raised to allow accessibility an idea that is beneficial for everyone since it reduces the distance even disabled persons have to bend down and up when loading and unloading it.

Design elements are both attractive and functional

• No-step entry allows entering the home directly from the sidewalk by sloping or ramping the walkway to the door. A variety of materials, such as pavers, gravel, and cement, can be used with landscaping to make a strong, step-free visual impression.
• One-story living prepares for the future by locating a bedroom and bath on the main floor. This can save later renovation money if planned ahead. Deep stacked closets on the floors directly overhead can permit installation of a future home elevator, as an alternative in a two-story home.
• Wide interior doorways (34–36 inches wide) ensure access to all rooms. To gain an extra two inches of clearance, swing-away hinges provide extra width for a minimal cost. If a construction project is needed to retrofit the doors, combining this project with a bathroom or kitchen remodeling job might be most cost-effective.
• Wide hallways (48 inches or more wide) enable easier turns. Wheelchairs generally require a five-foot clearance to easily turn without backing up.
• Extra floor space can be obtained by eliminating unnecessary clutter and unused furniture. In addition to adding turnaround space, adding decorative chair rails can add beautiful yet handy grips for maneuvering, especially if balance is a concern.
• Pull and lever handles are easier to grasp than round knobs on cabinets and drawers, and can be more stylish. Levers allow opening with either hands or elbows. Pulls should be large and extend far enough to accommodate larger hands.
• Lighting should be considered based on the function and tasks for specific rooms. Kitchens, reading areas, and bathrooms generally have higher lighting needs. Motion sensors can help prevent accidents in hallways and on staircases. Overhead, step, and tread lighting on staircases can also help light the way.
• Adjustable rods and pullout shelving in kitchen and bathroom cabinets and above stove tops and sinks can all be installed with either manual or motorized access.
• No-step showers and baths require removing steps, barriers, or curbs in showers. A five-foot clearance is suggested. A drainage system requires a gently sloping floor from all sides. Shower rooms with moisture-proof barrier walls and floors are also popular. Attractive fold-up teak wood benches and portable bidets can be installed to preserve dignity and ease of use. At a minimum, grab bars at the shower, tub, and toilet should be considered. Smaller tile on bathroom floors can reduce slips and falls. Bathrooms are the most misunderstood spaces in new construction for accessible living.
• Bordering floors and countertops with contrasting colors can help individuals with sight impairments. Minimizing the uneven height difference between carpeted surfaces and wooden or tile floors can help eliminate falls. Curving the edges of cabinets and counter tops is also a must to avoid hurting oneself. Hands-free faucets, stair lifts, and grab-bar backings built into the wall structure are other useful solutions.

It is important to do a thorough assessment of the home to assure that it can properly handle an elderly or infirm individual. The following table provides a summary of items to review and or consider.

Aging in place can mean many different things to many different people. Some may see it as an opportunity to remain in a familiar neighborhood, close to the comforts of family and friends. Others may see it as a chance to prepare for the future, so decisions later in life don’t have to be so difficult. Still others may see it as an opportunity to keep the family together and to create a safe and accessible living space for aging family members. Whatever your reasons may be, contacting Lazer Construction, Inc. is your first step towards peace of mind.

It should not come as any surprise, but seniors do not want to leave their homes and live in a “retirement” community or assisted living. Think about it for a moment. What would you want to do? You have a home, one that you’ve probably enjoyed for many years, it’s familiar to you and filled with memories, plus you’re attached to the area and you don’t want to move into a single room when you have an entire house that is yours and you probably don’t want to be living with strangers.

Continuing to live in their own home has become more of a viable option for seniors than it was in the past, due to funds from Reverse loans and the many services that are now offered to the senior community which enable them to maintain their independence and stay at home.

In the past services that were available to seniors still living in their homes was limited. But now there are many choices to help them with whatever they may need to make life more comfortable and allow them the ability to remain in their home if that is their wish without resorting to giving up and moving out.