Four foot wide barn door separates the original home from the addition.

As the boomer generation ages, and lifestyle needs change, more professional remodelers are helping homeowners modify their existing homes to accommodate universal design standards. Even if you’re not sure you need some of these features right now, it’s often easier and less costly to plan ahead for future needs than to remodel later on.

One way to get the most out of your investment long-term is by incorporating elements of  Universal design, according to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry  (NARI). Universal design is an approach to the design of products and environments that makes them easy and comfortable for everyone, regardless of age, ability or situation.

Warner McConaughey, is a certified remodeler who witnessed first hand the need for early planning in his parents’ home. As founder and  owner of  HammerSmith, Inc., a design-build firm in Decatur, Ga., he won a 2008 CotY Award for the residential universal design project he completed for his family’s 2,800-square-foot residence.

“My parents talked for a long time that they want to stay in their current house forever, but my mom broke her ankle about three years ago, and that’s when she realized how hard it was to get around,” McConaughey said. “Universal design isn’t for an old person. It’s for anybody.”

Read the rest

Is that what you said to yourself when you spotted a picture of this house while flipping through this month’s AARP Magazine?

The Greenlake Residence(aka Baldwin House) designed by owner/architect Emory Baldwin.

If you were wondering why it looked familiar it’s probably because you saw it in our Idea Center. It’s the universal-lifespan designed Baldwin House and it’s owner/architect Emory Baldwin won the 2009 Livable Communities Award for being best in class for Architect/Home Design.

These awards are given out by AARP and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) “to recognize forward-looking builders, developers, and architects who make residential living more comfortable for people of all backgrounds and abilities.”

Other winners are:

Eskaton National Demonstration Home
Builder, Less than 2,500 square feet
Eskaton Senior Residences
Roseville, Calif.
eskaton.org  

NorthCenter Senior Campus
Developer, More than 250 units
The Lakota Group
Chicago
thelakotagroup.com

North Morningside Craftsman
Builder, More than 2,500 square feet
Yorkshire Enterprises
Atlanta

The Mayo Clinic will conduct a telehealth initiative to study to the care and cost benefits of in-home monitoring of patients with chronic diseases. They are partnering with GE Healthcare to implement Intel’s home monitoring technology Intel Health Guide.

During the year-long study 200 high-risk patients over the age of 60 with chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart failure, lung disease, will use a medical monitoring device to take their vitals: blood pressure, weight, sugar levels and peak air flow. This information is collected in a central database at the Mayo Clinic where the patient’s primary medical team will have secure web access. Clinicians will also be able to use the videoconferencing system to observe and communicate with their patients.

Last year GE Healthcare and Intel formed a partnership to work together to develop and market home-based telehealth technologies. The companies are expected to invest more than $250 million over the next 5 years.

(Sources: IHealthBeat, HDM)

Our AIP Professional’s Tip for better aging in place is from Certified Aging in Place Specialist and Certified Green Professional, Ken Bryan, owner of KBC, Inc. Ken, says:

Ken Bryan, Full Service Design/Build Remodeling Contractor.

“Many homes at night are difficult to navigate safely to locate light switches. Tube skylights located in the kitchen, bathrooms and hallways can add natural light to the area and sometimes eliminate the need for artificial lighting. Energy efficient tube lights works by capturing sunlight on the rooftop and then redirecting it down a reflective tube into your home. The tubing fits between rafters and installs easily with no structural modification. You have your choice of diffuser and type of lighting effect to match the decor of your your home.”

Ken Bryan is owner of KBC, Inc. a well known Design / Build company serving the greater Cincinnati area in Ohio. Founded in 1987 the KBC team is comprised of skilled architects, carpenters and trade contractors. KBC, Inc. specializes in room additions, kitchen, bathroom, and basement remodeling, as well as composite decks, screened porches, commercial remodeling, universal design and handyman tasks.

“When someone builds a home, they’re not just building it for themselves — that home’s going to be around for a 100 years.” –Eleanor Smith, Founder of Concrete Change

By Barbara Manning

Could Visitability Be More Important Than Healthcare?

According to the United Cerebral Palsy’s State of Disability there are 54 million people living with disabilities in America. The United States has a generally aging population; 2005 Census statistics indicate that there are 78.2 million aging Baby Boomers in America. At any time, an individual can develop a temporary disability. Unintentional falls are in the top ten of the list of injuries leading to an emergency room visit or hospitalization.

What can an individual do after breaking a leg if they live in a home with the bathroom on the second floor? They can seriously limit their fluid intake and only use the bathroom once or twice per day. What does an individual do if they break a hip? Every year, thousands of Americans face this same question. It is not enough for disability advocates to argue for Visitability on a state-by-state basis. Visitability must become a national priority. Too often individuals become prisoners in their homes because they can’t safely navigate the steps. Visitability could liberate millions of people living in isolation from their friends, neighbors, and communities.

What is Visitability?

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires access for people with disabilities for all new multi-family dwellings and a small percentage (5%) of single-family homes constructed using public funds. This law obviously does not address the vast majority of single-family housing in the United States.

Visitability seeks to make new housing accessible by having it meet three basic conditions:

1. hallways and doorways wide enough for safe navigation by wheelchairs
2. one zero-step entrance with a wheelchair approachable route
3. one wheelchair-accessible bathroom on the main floor

Just making these three changes in the design of new homes is a cost-effective way for people to maintain their independence. Most people living with a disability will tell you that their biggest issue is living in a world that does not consciously accommodate their needs. A lack of easy access denies those who need it opportunities to interact, socialize, create, and enjoy friendships. Read the rest