Posted on Tue, Jul 13, 2010
Posted by: Brian Ciota, Vice President
The “Universal Design” movement has gained momentum because of the advocacy efforts of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). One of the goals of AARP is to enable retirees and older adults to remain in their homes and live independently, safely and comfortably for as long as possible. The U.S. Baby Boom generation is 77 million strong (28 percent of the population) and has reached the age of 50+. As this cohort ages, making changes in their home environments will be essential to their quality of life.
To address this issue, AARP collaborated with the National Association of Home Builders to train contractors and remodelers in modifying homes to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities and senior adults. The Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) training program was designed by the Remodelers Council of NAHB, the NAHB Research Center and NAHB Senior Housing Council in consultation with AARP.
Graduates of the CAPS program are trained in:
- Communication techniques.
- Identifying home modifications or changes that will help people live independently in their homes.
- Finding solutions to common obstacles that make houses unsafe or uncomfortable.
- Technical/construction aspects of designing environments for a lifetime.
- Ethics.
Once certified, CAPS contractors must maintain their credentials through continuing education and subscribe to a Code of Ethics.
A CAPS contractor will typically address the barriers and obstacles in a home of a person with special needs by:
- Creating access to enable an individual to safely and securely enter and exit their home.
- Improving the function of the kitchen for easy meal preparation and eating.
- Modifying bathrooms for safety and access.
- Enabling a person to maneuver in their home safely, securely and independently.
- Designing accommodations while preserving the aesthetics of a home.
AARP maintains a list of certified contractors and remodelers and will help consumers locate CAPS contractors in their area. Scott McClurg is a CAPS-certified professional and is available to answer your questions about “Universal Design” and “Aging-in-Place.”
One final note, not only are organizations such as AARP and NAHB promoting “Universal Design,” but consumers are beginning to show more interest in home features that promote comfort, ease of access and safety. Adding these amenities can add value to your home.
Posted on Tue, Jun 29, 2010
Posted by: Brian Ciota, Vice President
A friend of mine was talking about the experience of caring for her elderly mother and noted, "I never thought our family home (a two story cape, built in the early 1950s) could be so hazardous." One of her most difficult tasks was helping her mother to the bathroom. "The bathroom is next door to her bedroom but with her walker the halls and doorways are too narrow. Although we installed grab bars and purchased a shower seat, it's hard to lift her into the tub. I don't know how long she will be able to live at home."
Homes can become hazardous not only for older adults but even for those with temporary mobility impairments like a teen who breaks a leg in football practice or a person recovering from surgery.
If you're planning to update or remodel a bathroom consider the following "Universal Design" adaptations to improve access and safety in your home:
- Install a no-threshold walk-in shower or mini-threshold water dam shower with minimum dimensions of 5 feet by 3 feet.
- Add a built-in shower seat.
- Place grab bars in the shower, tub and near the toilet.
- Install several showerheads, including a hand-held adjustable height showerhead with easy to operate controls.
- Widen the doorway to 36 inches in the bathroom entrance.
- If possible, allow for maneuvering space. Ideally, allocate space to accommodate a 60 inch turning radius.
- Replace twist handle faucets with lever handle, anti-scald faucets.
- Consider installing a pedestal sink. Not only are they attractive, but the sink is accessible to those in your home who use a walker, wheelchair or crutches.
- If you are installing a vanity, mount the sink bowl close to the edge for easier use and select cabinetry with easy-glide drawers that close automatically.
- Toilets should be centered 18 inches from any sidewall, tub or cabinet and the seat should be 18 to 19 inches off the floor for older persons, lower for children.
- Replace round door knobs with lever handle knobs.
- Install lighting to provide good visibility when using the shower, tub, sink and toilet. Also, add a night light.
Many bathrooms are part of a master bedroom suite or located just outside the bedroom. To make your bedroom space more accommodating:
- Add a night light.
- Install additional electrical outlets to accommodate technology or future medical equipment.
- Fit closets with multi-level clothing rods or multi-level pull-out drawers and shelving. Don't use bi-fold doors on closets because they can be difficult to open and close.
The television show "This Old House" has an interesting "how-to" video on Choosing Universal-Design Bath Fixtures. Also, AARP offers a home accessibility checklist for bathrooms.
Posted on Tue, Jun 15, 2010
Posted by: Brian Ciota, Vice President
Over the course of time, we experience many changes in our lifestyles and our homes must evolve to adapt to these changes. If you're a parent of young children worried about home safety, a family caregiver attending to the needs of elderly parents, or a person with a disability, you'll want your home environment to accommodate your lifestyle.
"Universal Design" is a concept that considers the home environment of individuals at all stages of life by eliminating barriers and installing products everyone can use. Construction and design professionals realize that people go through changes and we work with homeowners to create attractive environments for all people to function in regardless of age, size or abilities.
Here are some general tips for making your home user-friendly throughout the years. I will be writing about "Universal Design" room-by-room in upcoming blog posts and welcome your questions and comments.
- Entryways can present obstacles. One step-free entrance to your home will ease access and safety.
- Add handrails to existing steps and porches. Falls often occur in these areas.
- Use lever-style handles to make opening doors easy for all.
- Install flush thresholds when installing carpeting and flooring to eliminate tripping hazards.
- Wide doorways and halls simplify life for everyone. Doorways at least 36 inches wide make it easy to move furniture or appliances into the home and accommodate people with wheelchairs or walkers. Hallways at least 42 inches wide give a home a spacious look and make it easier to maneuver and move furnishings.
- Install rocker light switches to turn lights on and off with ease. Place light switches 42 to 48 inches from the floor where everyone can reach them.
- Place electrical outlets 18 to 20 inches off the floor.
- Install thermostats no higher than 48 inches off of the floor.
- Create a laundry area on the first floor. Purchase raised front-loading washing machines and dryers to avert bending and back strain.
- Install lever-style faucets on sinks.
- Install windows that can be opened and closed easily.
- Consider single story living if you are building or purchasing an existing home.
For more information about Universal Design, check out the Web sites of the National Association of Home Builders and the American Association of Retired Persons.
Posted on Tue, Apr 27, 2010
Posted by: Brian Ciota, Vice President
Today's technologies have produced new products for home siding that are both attractive and durable. Two popular options for home siding are fiber cement and vinyl siding. Both products have been around for a while and innovations in manufacturing have improved the performance and look. If you're thinking about siding your home, here's some information to consider.
Fiber Cement Siding
Fiber cement has been used on homes for almost a century. It was once made with asbestos added to the cement but today's fiber cement siding is made from a mix of cement, cellulose or wood pulp, sand and water. It can be shaped into a variety of siding patterns including wood-grain which makes it look like wood plank siding. Fiber cement siding has the following advantages over wood siding and all of these features make it a popular choice for Central New York homes:
- It is non-combustible.
- It is resistant to warping and shrinkage.
- It is resistant to the elements-sun, wind, snow hail and rain.
- It is resistant to insects and rot.
- It requires less maintenance.
- It can be easily painted and paint last up to three times longer than painted wood.
- It is easy to clean.
Manufacturers offer long term warranties. James Hardie, a company we've worked with for years, offers a 30 year warranty on its fiber cement products and a 15-year warranty on the paint finish.
Fiber cement siding is earth-friendly because the production of this product does not require aggressive clearing of forests. The materials used to produce it are low in toxicity. Many manufacturers are part of the U.S. Green Building Council and National Association of Home Builders National Green Building Certification Program.
Fiber cement requires professional installation. It weighs more than wood and requires special tools for cutting. You will want to talk to your contractor about this product.
Vinyl Siding
Today's vinyl siding is popular choice among homeowners because of its durability, low maintenance. The product is made of polyvinyl chlorate (PVC) a material that is strong, rigid and impact-resistant. The Vinyl Siding Institute (VSI) notes that PVC is comprised of chlorine made from common salt and ethylene from natural gas. Most of the natural gas used to manufacture ethylene is domestically produced which reduces consumption of foreign products.
Homeowners and builders choose vinyl siding for the following reasons:
- It never requires painting and over 360 vinyl siding colors have been certified for color retention.
- It is easy to clean. Rinse with a garden hose and wipe with a soft cloth.
- Vinyl siding does not require caulking.
Vinyl siding is versatile. CertainTeed, a vinyl siding manufacturer that we use, has a range of products which are molded from wood to produce an authentic look. Vinyl siding replicates beadboard, wood-grain planks, cedar shingles, wood trims, wood shingles and cove molding. Vinyl siding comes in a broad range of color choices. Most manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty and many of the warranties offered are fully transferable and cover manufacturing defects, color and appearance.
If you are planning to have new siding installed on your home, be sure to check out these products.