What is “Aging In Place?”

Aging in Place is a type of design that modifies your existing home to fit your needs as they come along.

More specifically, Aging in Place consists of creating an living space that is “barrier free”, i.e., rooms, entrances and locations that minimize or eliminate barriers like stairs or steps, steep elevations or slopes, thresholds greater than ½”, and small, cluttered, or passages that just don't work. 

We will make an design a living space that will increase use, safety, security, and independence for you as they age.

Adaptable design

Adaptable Design focuses on the problems of different people; individual differences, and changes in a homeowner’s capability over time. 

It is the ability of certain building features, such as kitchen counters, sinks, and grab bars to be added to, raised, lowered, or changed to accommodate the needs of either people with or without disabilities, or to accommodate the needs of people with different types or degrees of disability.

Other designs    

In addition to Adaptable Design there are three other basic categories of design for Aging in Place as defined by the National Association of Home Builders;

    * Universal Design - Focuses on as much of the population as possible by designing space and using products that can be used by as many people as possible.

    * Accessible Design Focuses on people with a disability by designing a space you can get around in with ease and comfort.

    * Visitability Design Focuses on wheelchair accessibility and works to create a path to or from ground floors.

How do I know what kind of Aging In Place Design I need?

The answer depends greatly on your existing needs and your needs for the future.  However, there is an assessment that a Contractor performs when preparing an Aging In Place Design;

      What issue, if any, is of concern, and to what extent (light, moderate or severe).  We notate things like; vision, hearing, sense of feeling in arms or legs, use of hands, strength, balance, use of neck, reaching/stretching, coordination, endurance, awareness/understanding, breathing, dressing and undressing.
       
   

      We will look at the existing homes entries, hallways and doorways, stairs, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, living areas, storage/utility areas and parking areas and suggest improvments for the areas that are not working.

Click on either of these two books if you'd like more information on this subject.

We have the ability to customize our design to reflect your needs.

Call us today to find out more!

Local (423) 364-6261

e-mail: info@hawkeshomeimprovement.com