Category: Universal Design
I was on a mission and took six months developing the Lifetime Home Survey (LTHS), which was born of a single negative comment following a post class, feedback form. Without ever knowing his name, I still picture the disgruntled attendee with arms crossed, an engineering type who frowned the entire presentation.
His comment? “Didn’t give specific measurements!” I purposely avoided getting technical to reduce the likelihood of audience slumber; but, after reading Mr. Unhappy Engineer’s feedback, I vowed, “Metrics you want, measurements thou shall get!”
Call me obsessive compulsive but, with Mr. Unhappy Engineer’s scowl burned into my mind, what began as a simple checklist grew (out of control?) into a whole house assessment. I referenced 17 documents and architect teammate Charles Hendricks proofread the final product, what we believe to be THE most comprehensive Universal Design home assessment resource currently available on the web.
A universal home should ideally have a garage, not only to provide ample room for getting into and out of your vehicle but to provide accessible storage, cover from the weather and also an element of safety, particularly if you’re dealing with children, an armload of groceries or otherwise preoccupied. Additionally, if you’re exploring options on the main level for creating a zero step and flush threshold entrance, access through the garage is often least expensive and far less complicated because you’re eliminating potential problems with exterior topography and sloping.
photo courtesy Lowe's
People often assume they can no longer do something they enjoy simply because they cannot continue the way they’ve always done it. Like most things universally designed for the home, your outdoor living areas and activities can be accommodated and inclusive for people of any age or circumstance so nobody should have to give up hobbies and activities which make them happy.
This is particularly true of flower and vegetable gardening. If you’ve got a deck, patio or yard of any size, you can garden by choosing an efficient and accessible method from numerous options. Before I list some alternatives and resources, let’s review the ideal conditions for any outdoor activity.
Before heading outside, let’s review the general universal lay-out. (Review previous posts for per room specifics.)
First, if you can only afford to remodel a few areas, concentrate on the entrance, master bathroom and kitchen but also plan a “sleeping space” in a room (e.g. den, living/play room, office) that can be re-purposed if you don’t already have a first floor bedroom. At a minimum, you must be able to enter the home and care for yourself.
Do as much proactive planning while you’re “behind the walls” (e.g. add blocking for future safety bars). The cost to remodel will depend on load bearing walls and what you’re attempting to achieve. Building new universally adds very little cost and may actually be less expensive if, for example, you’re NOT building something like steps.
Maybe you’ve noticed reading this tutorial series that I’ve focused on convenience and ease by describing universally designed home features from a perspective of ANY-ability and not inability or disability. I’ve harped that UD = EZ to the greatest extent for ALL people, not just the frail or incapacitated.
Now however, I’ll actually be emphasizing disability, namely preparing for the potential of limited mobility or the need for a caregiver in the master bedroom during some point in the resident’s life. In other words, how to maintain sleeping in your own bed no matter what.
Slim chances? What if you were injured in a car accident? Where would you sleep if you couldn’t access your current bedroom? I have personal experience and trust me, you don’t want to add the stress of reconfiguring your home (or being forced from it altogether!) atop the physical and emotional strain of recuperation. Unfortunately, most wait until life hits the fan and the family is in crisis; but, that won’t be you, right?
Notice raised appliances and everything within easy reach
By now If you’ve read this tutorial series, you’ve picked up the common theme within a universally designed home that everything should be within easy reach, both standing and seated. Stated another way, you’ll realize maximum convenience and efficiency if you don’t have to go out of your way for a thing, neither stretching, stooping nor straining.
That goes as well, maybe more so, for the utility, mud or laundry rooms. I’m grouping these because similar tasks, if not all, are completed within these “work rooms” (and sometimes all within the same space). Heck, if you’ve gotta work, you might as well make it as easy as possible, right?
Maintain control and boost safety in the shower area, by including, not only seating (preferably built-in), but also point-of-use and multi-functional fixtures and grab bars. Avoid reaching, stooping or any strained movement which could cause loss of balance.
The shower head deserves careful consideration despite seeming like a natural place to save money. Don’t go cheap on this, flawless top performance is worth the extra expense, so too is low hassle cleaning (by spraying down the shower area). Ideally, get a fixed shower head that includes on a vertical slider bar an easy grasp, detachable handheld with a 6-foot flexible hose. (Look for wands with an on/off switch.) The single lever, water control should be mounted near the shower entry and 40 to 45 inches from the finished floor (43 inches preferred).
Invisia Collection by HealthCraft Inc
Look at the picture. What is it? Any guesses? What if I told you it supports 250 pounds? Give up? That soap dish a grab bar. Would you have known if I hadn’t told you?
That’s the essence of Universal Design, done well it’s unnoticed. One of the main objections about installing grab bars, “It’ll make my bathroom look like a hospital or nursing home” is simply misperception based on where most people first saw grab bars (i.e. hospitals and nursing homes!). Because of aging Boomers, every major manufacturer of kitchen and bathroom fixtures carries a designer, universal line so these aren’t Granny’s grab bars.
Curb-less, "roll in" shower
Account for all life circumstances and achieve maximum accessibility by planning a roll-in shower. Design a universal shower usable by anyone including the space for a potential care giver or parent assisting young children. The absolute minimum shower space, whether insert or tile, is 36 inches by 36 inches and no more than a 1/2 inch curb, beveled to provide a tiny “ramp” rather than potential tripping obstacle. Ideally, you want curb-less (flush) entry.
However for a true roll-in shower, allow no less than 36 inches by 60 inches and ideally 42 inches by 60 inches, or better still, 48 inches by 60 inches. Also plan a seat or built-in bench inside the stall. Splurge on space to make your shower the most convenient and safe for lifetime use regardless of how life happens.
Kohler body spray shower
I accomplish some of my best thinking in the shower. It’s my island of solitude within a family circus. I shudder at the thought of one day losing or having diminished one iota my ability to shower BY MY SELF.
So while I hold dear my shower space and time, I also cherish my ability to shower whatsoever and realize many take this daily routine for granted. The shower is particularly a prime example of how the traditional design of our nation’s standard code, “Peter Pan” housing just assumes nobody ages or changes. But anyone who has ever been injured or hindered by a mobility challenge knows taking a shower can become exhausting, even dangerous.
The next three posts I’ll describe how you can maintain your shower enjoyment through any circumstance. I’ve divided the posts into the shower area (walls and floor) , safety grab bars and the fixtures/features.
