Aging in Place: Home Design with Retirement in Mind

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• Aging in Place Home Design with Retirement in
  Mind
• LaVona Traywick, PhD
• Jessica Vincent, CHES

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Aging in Place

• Not having to move from one's present residence
  in order to secure necessary support services in
  response to changing needs.

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Changing Needs
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Definition

• Universal Designan approach to the design of
  products, services and environments to be usable
  by as many people as possible regardless of age,
  ability or circumstance.

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Principals of Universal Design

1. Equitable Use
2. Flexibility in Use
3. Simple and Intuitive Use
4. Perceptible Information
5. Tolerance for Error
6. Low Physical Effort
7. Size and Space for Approach and Use

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Example of Universal Design

• Equitable Use
• Flexibility
• Simple/Intuitive
• Perceptible Information
• Error Tolerance
• Low Physical Effort
• Size/Space

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Examples of Universal Design

• Smooth ground surfaces of entranceways, without
  stairs
• Wide interior doors and hallways
• Lever handles for opening doors rather than
  twisting knobs
• Light switches with large flat panels rather than
  small toggle switches
• Buttons on control panels that can be
  distinguished by touch

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Definition

• Assistive TechnologyAny item, piece of
  equipment, or product system whether acquired
  commercially, off the shelf, modified or
  customized that is used to increase, maintain or
  improve individuals functional capabilities

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Buttons and Zippers
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Sip and Puff Switch
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Universal Design with Retirement in Mind
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Can your home pass 3 tests?

1. Easy-visiting
2. Easy-living
3. Easy on the budget

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1. Easy-visiting test

• No-step entrance
• Full-sized bathroom on main level
• Bedroom on main level

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Easy-visiting entrance
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Entrance Example

• No steps
• Covered entry
• Package shelf
• Lever handles
• Motion lights
• Chair for resting

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Remodeled entrance
Front entrance with steps
Side entrance no steps
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Easy-Visiting Bathroom

• This

• Not this

Impossible for wheelchair users
Spacious for family guests
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Full-sized bath on main level
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Bedroom on main level

• Convenient for guests
• Place to recuperate after an illness
• Future main bedroom if steps become problem

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2. Easy-living test

• Space for activities
• Safety and security
• Convenience and comfort

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Plan quality space for hobbies
Art room for active artist

• Seated work area
• Extra storage space
• Good lighting
• Clean-up sink

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Plan for security and safety

• Power-failure lights
• Smoke detectors
• Carbon monoxide detectors
• Motion-detector lighting
• Security system

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Plan for convenience comfort

• Light switches at waist level
• Rocker switches

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Doors

• 36 in wide
• Lever handles

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Laundry Room

• Laundry on main floor
• Raised access laundry
• Front loading machines
• Built-in ironing board

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Garage Entrance

• Handrails on both sides of steps
• Extended handrail at top and bottom of stairs
• Shoe bench near garage

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3. Easy on the budget

• Home energy audit
• Energy Star appliances
• Energy-efficient replacement windows
• Passive solar (new windows on south)

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• Universal design invites a lifetime of living,
  even after retirement

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• To learn more about universal design
  easy-visiting see the full
• Aging in Place
• program series