DISCOVER THE DIFFERENCES

Have you ever wanted a quick reference for Aging-In-Place / Handicap issues? 

 

 

The checklist below contains features you may want to consider for your next new construction or renovation project. It also provides a quick reference for various aging-in-place issues. While the list is not all-inclusive, it will get thinking in the right direction.

 

Exterior

• Low-maintenance exterior (vinyl, brick)

• Low-maintenance shrubs and plants

• Deck, patio, or balcony surfaces are no more than a half inch below interior floor level if made of wood

 

Overall Floor Plan

• Main living on a single story, including full bath

• No steps between rooms/areas on the same level

• 5-foot by 5-foot clear/turn space in living area, kitchen, a bedroom, and a bathroom

 

Hallways

• Minimum of 36-inches wide, wider preferred

• Well lit

 

Entry

• Accessible path of travel to the home

• At least one no-step entry with a cover

• Sensor light at exterior no-step entry focusing on the front-door lock

• There needs to be 32-inches of clear width, which requires a 36-inch door

• Non-slip flooring in foyer

• Entry door sidelight or high/low peep hole viewer; sidelight should provide both privacy and safety

• Doorbell in accessible location

• Surface to place packages on when opening door

 

Thresholds

• Flush preferable

• Exterior maximum of a half inch beveled

• Interior maximum of a quarter inch

 

Interior Doors

• There needs to be 32-inches of clear width, which requires a 36-inch door

• Levered door hardware

 

Windows

• Plenty of windows for natural light

• Lowered windows or taller windows with lower sill height

• Low maintenance exterior and interior finishes

• Easy to operate hardware

 

Garage or Carport

• Covered carports and boarding spaces

• Wider than average carports to accommodate lifts on vans

• Door heights may need to be nine feet to accommodate some raised roof vans

• Five-foot minimum access aisle between accessible van and car in garage

• If code requires floor to be several inches below entrance to house for fume protection, can slope entire floor from front to back to eliminate need for ramp or step

• Ramp to doorway, if needed

• Handrail, if steps

 

Faucets

• Lever handles or pedal-controlled

• Thermostatic or anti-scald controls

• Pressure balanced faucets

 

Kitchen and Laundry

Counters

• Wall support and provision for adjustable and/or varied height counters and removable base cabinets

• Upper wall cabinetry three 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

 

Appliances

• Easy to read controls

• Washing machine and dryer raised 12-15 inches above floor

• Front loading laundry machines

• Microwave oven at counter height or in wall

• Side-by-side refrigerator/freezer

• Side-swing or wall oven

• Raised dishwasher with push-button controls

• Electric cook top with level burners for safety in transferring between the burners, front controls and downdraft feature to pull heat away from user; light to indicate when surface is hot

 

Miscellaneous

• 30-inch by 48-inch clear space at appliances or 60-inch diameter clear space for turns

• Multi-level work areas to accommodate cooks of different heights

• Open under-counter seated work areas

• Placement of task lighting in appropriate work areas

• Loop handles for easy grip and pull

• Pull-out spray faucet; levered handles

• In multi-story homes, laundry chute or laundry facilities in master bedroom

 

Bathroom

• Wall support and provision for adjustable and/or varied height counters and removable base cabinets

• Contrasting color edge border at countertops

• At least one wheelchair maneuverable bath on main level with 60-inch turning radius or acceptable T-turn space and 36-inch by 36-inch or 30-inch by 48-inch clear space

• Bracing in walls around tub, shower, shower seat, and toilet for installation of grab bars to support 250-300 pounds

• If stand-up shower is used in main bath, it is curbless and minimum of 36-inches wide

• Bathtub - lower for easier access

• Fold down seat in the shower

• Adjustable/handheld showerheads, 6-foot hose

• Tub/shower controls offset from center

• Shower stall with built-in antibacterial protection

• Light in shower stall

• Toilet two and half inches higher than standard toilet (17-19 inches) or height-adjustable

• Design of the toilet paper holder allows rolls to be changed with one hand

• Wall-hung sink with knee space and panel to protect user from pipes

• Slip-resistant flooring in bathroom and shower

 

Stairways, Lifts, and Elevators

• Adequate hand rails on both sides of stairway, one and a quarter inch diameter

• Increased visibility of stairs through contrast strip on top and bottom stairs, color contrast between treads and risers on stairs and use of lighting

• Multi-story homes may provide either pre-framed shaft (i.e., stacked closets) for future elevator, or stairway width must be minimum of four feet to allow space for lift

• Residential elevator or lift

 

Ramps

• Slope no greater than one inch rise for each 12-inches in length, adequate handrails

• Five-foot landing provided at entrance

• Two-inch curbs for safety

 

Storage

• Adjustable closet rods and shelves

• Lighting in closets

• Easy open doors that do not obstruct access

 

Electrical, Lighting, Safety, and Security

• Light switches by each entrance to halls and rooms

• Light receptacles with at least two bulbs in vital places (exits, bathroom)

• Light switches, thermostats, and other environmental controls placed in accessible locations no higher than 48 inches from floor

• Electrical outlets 15-inches on center from floor; may need to be closer than 12-feet apart

• Clear access space of 30-inches by 48-inches in front of switches and controls

• Rocker or touch light switches

• Audible and visual strobe light system to indicate when the doorbell, telephone or smoke or CO2 detectors have been activated

• High-tech security/intercom system that can be monitored, with the heating, air conditioning and lighting, from any TV in the house

• Easy-to-see and read thermostats

• Pre-programmed thermostats

• Flashing porch light or 911 switch

• Direct wired to police, fire and EMS (as option)

• Home wired for security

• Home wired for computers

 

Flooring

• Smooth, non-glare, slip-resistant surfaces, interior and exterior

• If carpeted, use low (less than a half inch high pile) density, with firm pad

• Color/texture contrast to indicate change in surface levels

 

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning

• HVAC should be designed so filters are easily accessible

• Energy-efficient units

• Windows that can be opened for cross ventilation, fresh air

 

Energy-Efficient Features

• In-line framing with two by six studs spaced 24-inches on center

• Air-barrier installation and sealing of duct work with mastic

• Reduced-size air conditioning units with gas furnaces

• Mechanical fresh air ventilation, installation of air returns in all bedrooms and use of carbon monoxide detectors

• Installation of energy efficient windows with Low-E glass

 

Reduced Maintenance/Convenience Features

• Easy to clean surfaces

• Central vacuum

• Built-in pet feeding system

• Built-in recycling system

• Video phones

• Intercom system

 

Other Ideas

• Separate apartment for rental income or future caregiver

• Flex room that can used as a nursery or playroom when the children are young and as a home office later; if combined with a full bath, room could also be used for an aging parent/aging in place