Universal Design and Age in Place

Aug 7 2009 9:55AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (3) |

By Patricia Nunan

Summer is passing by so quickly; soon it will be back to school and back to work. This past weekend was a wet one in SE Pennsylvania so my husband and I decided to check out a few open houses in nearby 55 + communities and others being marketed to the boomer set. I was really disappointed in what I saw.

At one home that was advertised as unique, meaning it was the “handicapped” house, I was appalled at the poorly designed kitchen and bathroom. They tried very hard to make most of the home seem elegant with lots of wainscoting and angled walls. So when I waked into the bathroom I just stopped dead in my tracks. There was a large, long bathroom with probably 12 running feet of counter top – all of it low – with 2 sinks and so many CFL’s over a gigantic mirror it was blinding. This could have had multiple height counters, an open space, dimmabl...Read More

Jul 24 2009 8:08AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (1) |

By Patricia Nunan

Every day there is a new report or story about the aging of the population. Yesterday was one of those days. A new report was mentioned on the radio about on the growth of the aging population. It said that in five years here will be more people over the age of 65 than under the age of 5. It is mind boggling.

When you think about it that adds up to a lot of people that should be thinking about what they are going to do and where they want to live as they age. Just a few days ago the world’s oldest man died at the age of 113. Incredible. A Montana man is 112. He remembers talking to his father about the war – the civil war and reading by kerosene lamps. As time passes and more medical advancements are made, our generation could be the norm of reaching 112 or more.

We can’t cover the nation in active 55 communities with ping-pong activity ...Read More

Jul 8 2009 8:32AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |

By Patricia Nunan

I just returned home from my vacation and received a call from my sister-in-law regarding Mom. Mom is 90 years old and is beginning to slow down; she’s having trouble making the 6 steps to the porch.

3 years ago my mother-in-law moved into the home that she purchased together with her daughter after her husband of 65 years died. We all helped in finding the right home that would meet most of their needs for the short and long term. The home they chose already had wide doorways and Moms bathroom already had a shower with a seat, grab bars and low threshold. The only negative we figured was the 6 steps to the porch - but the porch was level with the threshold of the front door so that was a good thing. When they purchased the home I knew what the options would be if we needed to make changes to help Mom stay as independent as possible for as long as possible. Althoug...Read More

Jun 16 2009 8:08AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |

By Patricia Nunan

It’s been a busy month with everyone trying to get in the last programs of the season and projects done before winding down for the summer. Business seems to be picking up just a bit. People are interested in doing projects again although they are scaled back considerably or only because they "have to do something soon before…"

Last week I attended my NARI chapter meeting and we had very good attendance. Many were guests eager to check it out. I met a fellow member who I have known for years and we were discussing how I could incorporate his product line into a universal design project to showcase their product. He did mention that he had been unable to attend my last workshop on understanding Universal Design and Aging in Place. This member also brought a guest with him and was eager to explain what I do and what Universal Design is to his guest. ...Read More

May 15 2009 8:27AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |

By Patricia Nunan

This past weekend I had the opportunity to participate as an exhibitor at a Disabilities Resource Expo sponsored by two local PA state representatives. (State Representative Thomas Murt, 152nd Legislative District, Bernie O’Neill 29th Legislative District). The event was free and open to the entire community. Vendors from local, state and federal agencies as well as disability advocacy groups were on hand to answer questions about the health, safety and welfare of those with disabilities. Persons from all walks of life attended. Young and old, some with disabilities, others gathering information for their families or clients. I and a colleague represented the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA).

We were bombarded with questions. Most event attendees as well as the other vendors had no idea there were people out there that actually could help th...Read More

Apr 29 2009 7:52AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |

By Patricia Nunan

Last week I had the opportunity to speak at the PA Association of Family and Consumer Services 86th Annual Conference, formally known as the American Home Economics Association. The theme of their conference, “Reflecting the Past to Create the Future,” coincides with the 100th anniversary of home economics as an established profession. Many of us may remember the home economics classes of sewing & cooking and separating the boys from the girls. Today it’s much different; students are leaning about nutrition, finance, community and family. A few years ago I was invited by a home economics instructor to speak to her middle school gerontology students about Aging in Place and Universal Design. They were intrigued with the concept and a few students were also interested in design as a career and were excited with idea of Universal Design. The following year I spoke to...Read More

Apr 23 2009 8:40AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (1) |

By Patricia Nunan

I love my job. Every week is a new challenge and I meet so many wonderful people. Last week I met the nicest gentleman, Jonathon. Where it asked for a disability on his application for home mods he wrote “aged”. Jonathon is 81 years old. Jon, as he likes to be called never married and lives in his tiny family homestead. He was lifelong teacher of history, English and music and used to play in a band. Now Jon wears hearing aids in both ears and walks with a bent over shuffle. Jon is active in his church and community. He still drives (that’s an issue for another day) to the senior center at his church Mondays and Wednesdays and the community center Tuesday’s and Fridays. What I love about Jon is the tinkle in his eyes when he tells a story and his determination to remain independent.

Jon didn’t plan to age in place, it just happened. Like mo...Read More

Apr 15 2009 7:42AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (1) |

By Patricia Nunan

I try to read as many articles as I can that discuss Age in Place, Universal Design or relating topics because there are so many different viewpoints. Recently I was reading an article about a bathroom described as barrier free in a new home construction. Many times I'll come across photos of beautiful large bathrooms and in the caption it will say "barrier free," or Universally Designed bathroom. This particular one has a typical 4-5 inch shower threshold, a frameless glass door, faucets that were very euro like nubs sticking out from a wall. (I believe anyone with soapy hands would have difficulty turning the water off) the sinks were high, the toilet was in a "closet" and of course there were no grab bars or mention of blocking installed for later installation. I look and read further trying to decipher what made this a "barrier free" bathroom. Why was ...Read More

Apr 13 2009 10:46AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |

By Patricia Nunan

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to be part of a video about aging in place to be aired on the AARP website. We chose an active couple to work with, Anna and Ross, both in their early 70s. They both work part time jobs for a small publisher and Ross consults as an electronics designer. Anna & Ross bought their home in an active adult community 9 years ago and they planned to live there for a long time. When they moved in they thought their home would be great for retirement, one floor living in a nice community. They were surprised as they got older how some things in the home weren’t made for people as they age. Yes, it's one floor living yet they have to climb 3 steps to get in the front door - with no railing. The two full baths have 24" wide doorways with tubs, no shower, and with barely enough room to change your mind let alone get a wheelchair or walker i...Read More

Mar 20 2009 1:30PM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (1) |

By Patricia Nunan

Universal Design and Age in Place are all about making a home safe, accessible, and livable. With 78 million boomers (denying their aches and pains) and 20% of the population living with a disability, many can’t live in their homes comfortably or safely. Now it the time to educate ourselves and our clients on what we can do to help people of all ages and abilities, live in their homes safely and with style.

For the past 8 years I have been working for a local government agency that helps low-income families remain in their homes by providing home modifications. The modifications are very specific to the needs of the client. During this time I have met some incredible people and have seen how they have overcome challenges that most of us hopefully will never have to experience. It’s been a life changing experience. I hope to share some of these stories of rem...Read More