Aging-In-Place and Living In Place™
Design Considerations
Below you absorb a generous sampling of design considerations to allow you to live and age more gracefully in your home. Most are quite practical and appreciated at any age, in any home. An experienced designer like Becky Sue will help you choose solutions that will be aesthetically pleasing and make your home more safe and comfortable for everyone!
General Design
- minimal steps, most specifically at entry points
- ramps versus stairs
- contrasting colors to aid with depth perception
- generous light, both natural and artificial
- open floor plans and larger door openings
- lever handles instead of knobs
- rugs with low-pile to avoid tripping
Laundry Design
- close proximity to bedrooms
- front load appliances raised 12-15” from floor
- wall cabinets lowered to top of appliances
- folding counter at 30-36” high
- pull down closet rod and/or shelving
Bath Design
- zero entry shower and/or tub system
- grab bars in shower, tub and toilet areas
- textured or anti-slip flooring treatment
- handheld shower at bench, valves close reach
Kitchen Design
- hands free faucet or foot pedal
- generous task lighting
- large drawers
- microwave no higher than 54″ to the top
- oven with side swing doors
- lower working counter (30”)
- controls on cooking equipment near front, or side
- eased corners on counter tops
- dishwasher placement outside of heavy traffic zone
Zero-Entry Showers
For over a decade the trend for curb-less (aka zero entry) showers has been steadily growing. Why not? It is aesthetically pleasing, easier to clean and without question lowers risk for injuries as you enter or leave the shower. There are several methods to achieve this, but not all can be used in every home. BeckySue helps evaluate your space and educates you on types of zero entry systems that best suit the construction of your home.
Grab Bars
Avoid towel bars which are not designed to support body weight. Many manufacturers offer grab bars specifically designed to replicate the appearance of a towel bar that also aid to better mobility.
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Home Modifications
Browse through the home modification articles to discover options for aging-in-place comfortably. We love to feature the best devices that make aging in your home more comfortable and accommodate your needs as they change.
Tap Your Toe Faucet
A while back I shared information about a foot pedal that offers hands-free use at your kitchen or bathroom sink. Keyword search for foot pedals brings up several economical solutions, but for those seeking a more streamlined and advanced system, read on. Free your...
Sliding Shower with Curbless Entry
This master bathroom was a massive makeover from a highly unproportionate and safety hazardous builder grade bathroom. The result includes a sliding door shower system with a curbless entry. In addition, the tub was relocated to the end of the room with a more...
A toilet with an IQ
Toilet levers. The necessity of life that fails us and exposes us to germs. I bet most all of us appreciate the public toilets that flush when you stand up or leave the stall! Well, I am quite impressed with Delta bringing this smart technology to our homes. Delta...
Soss UltraLatch
The door knob of the future. No arm twisting. No hand turning. Totally new concept for entry hardware designed to be the most convenient, practical and still be aesthetically pleasing! Retrofits to most existing door cutouts and a mere 1/2” of movement...
Don’t go bump in the night!
Of all the things that go bump in the night... don't let it be you! The new acrylic grab bars by Great Grabz are now available in a glow in the dark finish! No electricity required; these grab bars will light your way for up to 10 hours after 6 hours of natural or...
Foot Faucet
This product is no longer available by the manufacturer. See Tap Your Toe Faucet for another style by Grohe. Yes, you read that right. Easy to use and discreet, this foot faucet will save water, stop germs from spreading with the hands-free design. Imagine...
Bathroom Safety with Style
The common perception of safety in the bathroom brings visions of industrial-looking grab bars. After you read this article I hope that your mind opens up and considers the vast amount of opportunities we have to make our bathrooms a safe place. Then...
