Landscape design for aging in place
Earth Essence Designs
3 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (18)
Christopher CNC
3 years agoRelated Discussions
Examples of bathrooms for aging in place
Comments (24)I have done one full remodel and well on my way with the second. I put 2x8 blocking between studs the distance I anticipate the need for fixtures. On my tub in my first bath, I but the rail at the side of the tub, at about 24" off the bottom of the tub if I remember. Then at the back of the tub I but in a rail at about 42" from the floor to become my towel bar. It is a little harder to get a towel in there compared with a regular towel bar because the bar is thicker. I wanted to have anything that I might grab onto, in a fall, securely attached. My "in progress" bathroom, I will have a vertical rail at the entryway to the shower. No tub. New 32" doors to the room (couldn't fit 36"). They are pocket doors so not any wasted space delegated to the hinged door. There will be a long grab bar at the long side of the shower at 36" height. I also have blocking in place for the back of the toilet as well as the side. These areas will be fitted with bars as needed. I have taken multiple pictures of the wall space and will take measurements for my records. The walls will go in next week so I am getting everything blocked for grab bars this week. Here is an example of the blocking around my toilet area:...See MoreAging in place details
Comments (21)Lots of good ideas here: Lever handles -- yes, definitely. I would really prefer old-fashioned crystal doorknobs, but I see the point in going with the levers. Medical paperwork -- I want to plan a place for sorting mail and bills, and it makes sense to me to include a spot for medical-related items in that same item. Hand-held shower, yes please. I have one now, and although I'm perfectly healthy, it's so much easier to wash my hair. When I said "adjustable showerhead", I really meant hand-held, but you've pointed out to me that I should word that better on my list so as to avoid ambiguity. I am not into the 36" door concept. They're more expensive, more difficult to open, and most of us won't end up in wheelchairs. Instead, I'm looking at 32", which aren't nearly as big . . . and IF a wheelchair becomes necessary, we can add swing-clear latches to get that extra few inches. Actually, we have relatively few doors in our plan anyway. Just the bedroom, bathroom, closet, and laundry. The reach-in coat closet doesn't count for this topic. I do agree with wide aisles. Yeah, I think I invented the "toothbrush holder to hold reading glasses" idea. My husband and I have reading glasses . . . well, everywhere. I'm thinking that if I have a specific holder for them in specific places, we'll always be able to lay our hands on a pair, but they won't be knocking about on the kitchen table and the end tables. No shiny hardwoods. Sounds good. Housekeeping isn't my greatest joy anyway. I sooo agree with the idea of building modestly. We've lived frugally all our lives, and we're in a position to build pretty much whatever we want -- for cash -- and perhaps that's making me think through, "Do I want to spend money on this?" more than someone who's considering this or that extra item just a few more dollars on the mortgage. I'm very conscious of low-maintenance and cheap-to-keep ideas. To give one example, I want to build a cozy living room that'll feel comfortable when it's just the two of us (the majority of the time), BUT to make it adaptable, we're backing it up to the entryway . . . which will not be divided with any type of casing and will share the same flooring, etc. If we have a large number of guests, we can bring dining room chairs into the entryway, and it'll accommodate more people. I'm not sure what I want to do with my microwave. It's one of the biggest question marks in my kitchen plan. As for one story, I'll buck the trend here: We plan to build everything WE NEED on the first floor, and we're planning an upstairs with two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a small landing/sitting room. Our thoughts: In the future, if we need someone (one of our children or a paid caregiver) to move in with us, it'll be nice for that person to have his or her own space on an upper level, while we have what we need downstairs. We're not looking at a Florida room, but we are going to have a large patio out back, and one of my absolute requirements is that it is a flat step-out -- no steps. We have that type of set-up now (though it's a porch, not a patio), and we love it. I know that my grandmother, once she was nervous about taking the steps down into the yard, could still enjoy the outdoors this way. My husband already hates yard work of all types, so I know he's not going to do it when it becomes physically challenging for him. Likewise, I don't anticipate that I'll develop a great love of house cleaning late in life. This is one more reason to build modestly: If we spend all our resources on the house, it'll be harder to pay someone else to help with upkeep....See More32"vs 34" doorways for aging in place
Comments (8)This isn't as easy as just saying, "Let's make the doors wide enough for a wheelchair". Consider: - What's easier than a large door? NO door. Obviously you want a door on your bedroom and bathroom . . . but look for places where you can ELIMINATE unnecessary doors; for example, extra doors in overly-compartmentalized bathrooms are a nighmare for people with walkers or wheelchaiars. Or, a compromise: Pocket doors, which you can leave open if mobility becomes a problem in the future. - If you find your doors aren't large enough, you can switch the hinges and get an extra 2" or so -- what're they called? Swing away hinges? - Remember that oversized doors take away space from furniture placement. If you're building a compact plan, this may matter to you. You are unlikely to end up using a wheelchair full-time, yet that's what people seem to plan for. More likely scenerios: - You're more likely to lose mobility due to the natural aging process rather than an accident. - You're more likely to need a cane than anything else. - You're more likely to need a walker than a wheelchair. - You're more likely to use a walker in the house and a wheelchair when you leave the house. - If you're using a wheelchair or wheelchair just for outings, do you have a spot by your everyday entrance where you can store your apparatus? These are big items to leave laying about. - If you're in a wheelchair only temporarily (or only for outings), you're likely to have an inexpensive manual chair; whereas, if you're in a wheelchair permanantly, you're probably going to spend on an electric chair. The electric chair is more narrow and needs less doorway space. - Walk-in closets and pantries are very popular, but will you be able to maneuver inside them if you need a walker or a wheelchair? Don't skimp on floorspace. - Garage doors matter too: If you end up in a wheelchair, you'll probably downsize to one vehicle. If you have ONE big garage door instead of two small ones, you'll be able to park in the middle of the garage and make use of the extra space to enter the vehicle. - Even if your garage entry is zero-degree entry, install grab-bars on both the inside and the outside. My grandmother had them, and they made an amazing difference for her. - Your floors may be more important than your doors -- they were for my grandmother, both for her walker and for her temporary wheelchair. A change from linoleum to carpet can cause a fall. Keeping your floors 100% flat is worth some effort. - Steps are an extension of your floors. Put effort into having at least one covered entrance (preferably your most convenient door, probably the one from the garage) that has no steps....See Moreaging in place construction
Comments (2)That's a tough call. I do wood for a living but have slate in a portion of my house and tile in one bathroom. I'd be hard pressed to pick only one thing. If I did, it would probably like the 16" multi-colored slate I have now, laid on diagonal. Another thing I've done for customers and really liked is Expanko Heirloom 1/2" cork. It's thick, comfortable under foot, can be refinished and is fairly tough. I'd rather stand on cork or even wood as I age rather than a piece of rock. If my slate ever fails I'll probably do a 3 color checkerboard. Bamboo is okay. There are better and lesser grades/brands. If I have to live with something for a long time I don't know that it would be Bamboo, especially if it was glued over concrete. I'd probably pick 3/4" x 4" rift and quarter sawn White Oak. It's fairly stable and tough, allows for refinishing in a huge array of colors and effects and should be readily available for the foreseeable future in case you have a mishap. It's wider than the norm but not so wide that I'd worry about stability. Even though I'm a wood person in general I'd be hard pressed to put finished wood on the exterior of a house....See Moreceilsan32
3 years agoEmbothrium
3 years agoceilsan32
3 years agoEmbothrium
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoceilsan32
3 years agoEmbothrium
3 years agoceilsan32
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoEarth Essence Designs
3 years agoChristopher CNC
3 years agoEarth Essence Designs
3 years agoTina Bailey
3 years agoEarth Essence Designs
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agogustaviatex
3 years ago
Related Stories
KITCHEN DESIGN10 Ways to Design a Kitchen for Aging in Place
Design choices that prevent stooping, reaching and falling help keep the space safe and accessible as you get older
Full StoryBATHROOM DESIGNBathroom of the Week: A Serene Master Bath for Aging in Place
A designer helps a St. Louis couple stay in their longtime home with a remodel that creates an accessible master suite
Full StoryUNIVERSAL DESIGNIs Your Home Accessible for Aging in Place?
Review our checklist to find out if your house will work for you and your family as you get older
Full StoryUNIVERSAL DESIGN12 Must-Haves for Aging in Place
Design a home that will continue to be accessible, safe and stylish as the years go by
Full StoryUNIVERSAL DESIGNAging-in-Place Resolutions for the New Year
How to make your home help you age gracefully right where you are
Full StoryBATHROOM MAKEOVERSReader Bathroom: $22,000 Remodel for Aging in Place in California
A 71-year-old prepares for the future by creating a bathroom that will work as she gets older — and be stylish as well as functional
Full StoryBATHROOM DESIGNBathroom of the Week: Master Bath Remade for Aging in Place
A designer helps a couple nearing retirement age turn a house into their forever home
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGNHow to Design a Family-Friendly Yard for People of All Ages
Incorporate features and materials that will make your landscape fun and accessible for everyone
Full StoryUNIVERSAL DESIGNWhat to Look for in a House if You Plan to Age in Place
Look for details like these when designing or shopping for your forever home
Full StoryARCHITECTURETry a Four-Leaf Design That Spans the Ages
No one's sure exactly what the quatrefoil represents, but its striking effect in all kinds of designs is certain
Full Story
Earth Essence DesignsOriginal Author