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Grand Winner, Universal Design
2010 NARI Mid-Maryland Chapter, C0tY Award |
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| Bill and Phyllis found out that Bill was going to have to have his leg amputated due to diabetes. He would be in the hospital for a couple more months, but when he returned home Phyllis wanted him to be able to get around their house and be able to perform his day to day activities. Bill’s wheelchair was measured and the house was examined and several areas that needed to be modified were discovered. The entrance into the home, the entrance into the master bath, use of shower stall and toilets. Phyllis was very concerned about the appearance of the house and didn’t want it to stick out with modifications that would make it look like a nursing home or hospital. |
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| Entering the house from inside the garage was not an option due to the 3 steps up and lack of room for a ramp. The front entrance was not very steep, so a solution was designed that connected the driveway to the front door. The existing concrete porch was capped with pavers and the left over 1” difference to the front door was transitioned with a rubber threshold. A decorative railing was added across the front porch for safety and looks. |
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The existing master bath needed a complete renovation with its dated slippery pink tile and worn out vanity. The renovation started with the widening of the entry door and the addition of swing away hinges. The existing floor and wall tile was removed as well as the existing acrylic shower stall. A new shower was built with a low threshold and seat. The new shower fixture incorporates a hand held head and a bar that allows for the head to remain in place and be adjusted. Blocking was added in the shower and at the toilet area for installation of grab bars. Non slip ceramic tile was added on the floor and tile was added at the tub pedestal and on the shower walls. A comfort height toilet was added as well as a 36” tall vanity cabinet. Grab bars were added in the shower as well as around the toilet in this bath and at the other toilets around the house. The lighting was improved with additional lighting added in the shower, rope lighting added at the toe kick of the vanity cabinet and brighter lighting at the sink and toilet area. |
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| The overall result of the project is exactly what Phyllis had in mind. The front paver entry way looks very attractive and does not appear to be a handicap ramp. The bath functions perfectly for Bill and he has no problems getting in and out of the shower or using the toilet. Phyllis tells us that she is very active and in great shape but finds that the changes made make it much easier for everyone to come in and out of the house and the grab bars in the bath make it more safe for everyone. |
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Senior Living: Design for Life
Home Improvements Make Aging in Place a Reality for Seniors.
by Carla Firey Shives + photos by Ellen Baker
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Luxury bathrooms, updated kitchens and remodeled entryways are popular home improvements. But for the growing senior population, the new elements in these modernized renovations are designed to be more than just aesthetically pleasing. “As the Baby Boomers hit retirement age, they’re looking for ways to modify their houses so they can stay in their homes rather than move to a nursing facility,” says Mark V. Pelletier, CGR, CGP, Certified Aging in Place Specialist and owner of MV Pelletier Inc. in Frederick.
“I’ve noticed a trend in seniors choosing to age in place,” agrees Katie Bowersox, senior designer with Frederick’s JB Interiors, Inc., who suggests that the desire to live comfortably in familiar surroundings is a driving force behind this trend, in addition to the need to offset the increasingly expensive cost of care in a retirement facility.
Aspects of Aging
Aging can create a variety of physical challenges as seniors navigate their homes. Arthritis and joint problems, for example, can affect the ability to open drawers, reach into cabinets, or turn doorknobs. Even a basic task like showering can be a trial for seniors who have difficulty climbing in and out of a standard tub. Flooring can also present a problem, since “falling in the home is one of the major sources of injury for people over the age of 65,” says Katie.
Decreased mobility — requiring the use of either a wheelchair or walker — is another major challenge for seniors who want to age in place. “Wheelchairs and walkers sometimes will not fit through doorways, and many times bathrooms are not large enough to accommodate a wheelchair,” says Vickie Hrabal, owner of Oak Hill Interior Design LLC in Hagerstown. Fortunately, there are many ways to redesign a home to make it more convenient for aging adults.
Modified for Convenience
Many elements of a house can be remodeled to create a safe environment for seniors who choose to age in place. In the bathroom, adults who find it difficult to climb in and out of a standard tub may opt to replace it with a walk-in shower. “You can also hire experts to cut open your tub to create a walk-in shower,” says Natasha Arnall-Edmands, owner of Interiors of Maryland LLC in Funkstown. Adding non-slip stickers or a mat can help prevent slips and falls.
The kitchen is another room that typically needs renovating when seniors decide to age in place. “Levered faucets make it easier for folks who have arthritis,” says Mark. Multiple counter heights can help accommodate homeowners in wheelchairs. Raised dishwashers and lowered cooking surfaces also can make life more convenient for aging adults.
Modifications in other rooms include adjusting doorway width, installing night-lights to prevent disorientation at night and adding wheelchair ramps to entryways. If arthritis is a challenge, light switches can be widened and doorknobs can be replaced with levered handles. Hard floors are often covered with carpet to reduce the risk of slipping.
Beauty Meets Function
Many seniors worry that the necessary modifications to their homes will be obtrusive and unattractive, “but I try to design the elements into the project without anyone knowing,” says Mark. He’s installed bathroom grab bars that simply appear to be decorative towel bars, as well as a front entrance wheelchair ramp that seamlessly blends into the house and surrounding landscape.
When Middletown resident Phyllis Thompson discovered that her husband, Bill, needed a wheelchair, she started looking for builders to redesign some aspects of her house. “I wanted him to come home and be able to live a full life in his own home,” explains Phyllis. Her primary focus was the bathroom, because it needed major adjustments to accommodate Bill’s new circumstances. With Mark’s assistance, the Thompsons created a plan that helped transform their bathroom into a space that’s practical for husband and wife, as well as extremely attractive. Many of the changes added both functionality and beauty. “There’s a glass door on the shower that swings open for easy entry,” explains Phyllis, “and a shower head that slides up and down a pole so it can be used whether you’re seated or standing. It’s just beautiful.”
Even though Phyllis chose many products that are ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant, they’re hidden in plain sight since they’re cleverly disguised as elements of the home. “You’d never know from appearances that the house is handicap accessible,” says Phyllis. In fact, everyone who is currently involved with a building or remodeling project may want to consider adding a few of these components to their homes. “I’m very active,” says Phyllis, “so I don’t really need these modifications. But I’ve found that they make my life much more convenient, too.”
Article published in Hagerstown Magazine Copyright RidgeRunner Publishing.-- Back to Top --
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