The characteristics of Universal Design and why is it helpful for seniors.

Universal design is a set of architectural and design principles that evolved post WW II for returning veterans and the disabled and are now being re-purposed for older Americans. Architects and contractors are increasingly turning to universal design principles when they build or remodel so that the home works for everybody, whatever their age or level of mobility.

According to Ron Mace, an architect credited with coining the phrase, “Universal Design”, it is the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. It is meant to simplify life for everyone using the following seven principals:

1. Equitable Use – The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities.
2. Flexibility in Use – The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.
3. Simple and Intuitive Use – The design is easy to understand, regardless of the user’s experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.
4. Perceptible Information – The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user’s sensory abilities.
5. Tolerance for Error – The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.
6. Low Physical Effort – The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue.
7. Size and Space for Approach and Use – Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user’s body size, posture, or mobility.

When these principals are applied to the design of housing, it will support the desire of seniors to age in place with greater competency, safety, and independence.

What are Some Examples of Universal Design?

There are many ways to update a home to allow seniors to stay in their homes or if a family member is having a parent or aging relative move in. And it’s not about turning a house into a nursing home. It’s about making the features more convenient and safe.

In the Bathroom

Nature’s calling, so let’s check out the bathroom. The toilet is higher, and the counter-tops are set at different levels to accommodate different users. Instead of a bathtub, there might be a walk-in shower, which could become a “wheel-in” shower if necessary. The wall of the shower has been reinforced so that a grab bar can be added for someone who needs help getting in and out of the shower. And don’t think that a grab bar will look straight out of the nursing home — many companies are now making more stylish accessories for aging baby boomers, including designer shower chairs and grab bars.

• Adding a taller toilet or toilet accessories to allow someone with disabilities or limited mobility to easily go up and down
• Opening up or expanding a bathroom to allow space for a wheelchair or walker
• Removing the bathtub and replacing it with a shower that doesn’t require a step up or down to enter. Adding seats inside the shower helps, too
• Adding grab bars around a toilet, tub, and shower area to give added stability
• Lowering counters and light switches to allow easier access

Throughout the Home

To see what this looks like in practice, let’s take a tour of a home that incorporates universal design. Stepless entry is a hallmark characteristic of a universal design home; it’s easy for anyone to enter. When you open the door, notice the lever door handle. It’s much easier than a door knob when your hands are full of groceries or if you have arthritis.On the ground floor, you should find everything you need, from the kitchen to a bathroom, but most notably, at least one bedroom should be on the ground floor. It will probably be the master bedroom, so that when the occupants can’t climb stairs anymore, they’ll be able to live on just the first floor.Just because everything’s on one floor doesn’t mean that boomers won’t have two-story homes; rather, guest bedrooms or home offices might be upstairs. If a home does have more than one level, stairs should be stained slightly different colors to aid someone with poor vision. Another option might be to install stacked cabinets, which can be converted to install an elevator when you need one to get from floor to floor.

• Widening of hallways to give greater wheelchair access
• Appliances, such as dishwashers, clothes washers, and dryers can be raised up to prevent the homeowner from having to bend over too far
• For two story houses, dining rooms or family rooms can be converted to a bedroom to prevent the constant climbing of dangerous staircases
• Adjusting the height of all the home controls, like lighting and thermostats and alarm systems, can really help
• Adding wheelchair ramps can provide greater access

No matter which room you head to first, you’ll be walking in wide hallways. Everything should accommodate a wheelchair’s turning radius. Not in a wheelchair? Everything will just look spacious and open. You’re likely walking on hardwood floors as opposed to movement-restricting carpet. Light should be abundant throughout the home, and light switches, as well as outlets and thermostats, should be no higher than 48 inches (1.2 meters) off the floor.

In the Kitchen

Everything is placed for easy use by both a person in the wheelchair and a standing person. The microwave is on the counter as opposed to mounted within the cabinets, and the counter-tops and cabinets are a bit lower than in some houses.

• Wall support and provision for adjustable and/or varied height counters and removable base cabinets
• Upper wall cabinetry – 3 inches lower than conventional height
• Accented stripes on edge of countertops to provide visual orientation to the workspace
• Counter space for dish landing adjacent to or opposite all appliances
• Base cabinet with roll out trays and lazy susans
• Pull-down shelving
• Glass-front cabinet doors
• Open shelving for easy access to frequently used items