What is Aging-in-Place Design?
While aging brings with it many changes and challenges, moving into a new home doesn’t have to be one of them.
As a person ages and daily tasks become more challenging, aspects of a home that before went unnoticed become major or minor inconveniences—or even safety issues. You may not notice that every entrance into your home requires walking up stairs until going up and down stairs becomes a challenge. A bathroom can contain many subtle hazards, from a high tub wall to step over to a shortage of places to hold to steady oneself on an often-slippery floor.
The challenges posed to the elderly by stairs, shower and bath walls, and other daily household hazards often mean aging individuals must move to more friendly accommodations or assisted living. But as you are enjoying your golden years moving to an unfamiliar space may be the last thing you want to do. Aging-in-Place Design allows you the freedom to continue living in your own home safely and conveniently.
Karen Childress is a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) who creates spaces that are stylish and safe, allowing everyone to live with comfort and dignity. Aging-in-Place Design Professionals like Karen are specially trained to remodel homes so homeowners can remain in the same home long-term instead of having to find a new house. Karen knows the importance of home safety for ourselves and those we love. She has first-hand experience designing for the needs of her clients as well as redesigning the bathrooms and showers for her own aging parents and father-in-law.
When designing a remodel or new home, Karen takes into consideration if the client wants this to be their forever home and how to accommodate changing long-term needs. Many aging-in-place considerations make living in a space easier for everyone and can be implemented far in advance. Considering aging-in-place design may be wise regardless of your current age.
According to the National Homebuilders Association, the most common aging-in-place home updates include grab bars, curbless showers, and raised toilets. Many clients visualize a cheerless, institutional-style bathroom when thinking about grab bars, but this is not what a well-designed aging-in-place bathroom looks like. Karen Childress designs spaces that are stylish and safe. [Links to AIP bathroom on website: these will be renderings of spaces I have designed.]
Many of the most common aging-in-place considerations focus on bathrooms, but aging-in-place is also a whole house consideration. From kitchen safety to door width, to ensuring adequate lighting to stair accessibility, aging-in-place needs can cover the whole home. Throughout the home, good aging-in-place design maximizes home safety for the elderly or those with disabilities while providing a comfortable and attractive living environment.
Karen understands the needs of clients looking to age in place and how to plan for the future, whether you are planning to build a new home or remodel your current home. Interested in learning more or have a project you need designs for? Contact Karen for a complimentary consultation!