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Home Adaptations for Independent Living
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Technology Report
| Posted on October 16, 2012 at 9:03 AM |
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Periodically I like to check out the new and/or updated technologies
for aging in place that are being brought to market. Here are a few I found interesting: Microsoft, in an effort to improve its technology for
people challenged by limited motor skills or for those visually or
hearing disabled, has made changes to its new operating system, Windows 8, to
significantly enhance accessibility.
Both Microsoft Magnifier and Microsoft Narrator have been improved with
touch capabilities making them much simpler to use and maneuver. To make these features easier to find,
greater emphasis has been put on the Windows Ease of Access Center which will
be clearly visible on the systems home page.
The Ease of Access Center poses questions that are designed to direct
the user to the features they need to be using.
For example, “Do you have difficulty reading the screen?” will prompt
someone to open the Magnifier function. And
while not there yet, Microsoft’s journey is towards broader accessibility. Eventually users will be able to interact
with their computer or tablet using the method they’re most comfortable with --
keyboard, voice recognition or even gestures –
virtually eliminating any visual, auditory, or dexterity impediments they might
have. Care Technology Systems and
Qualcomm Life have partnered to create is a cloud based system that enables
provider and users to capture data for any wireless medical device and deliver
it in a secure and reliable system. Information can be easily retrieved by
physicians, caregivers, or other critical audiences, for use in healthcare
decisions. The company provides fall
detection monitoring, activity monitoring, and biometric monitoring (pulse oximeter,
glucometer, weight scale, and blood pressure cuff) which is FDA approved and HIPAA
compliant. Read more at www.caretechsys.com Telikin
is committed to helping people who are computer novices connect with family,
friends and the world. Telikin
makes the easy to use, all-in-one, touchscreen computer that integrates features such as video chat with integrated Skype, photo sharing with an
integrated facebook application, email, contacts, weather, news, full web
browser, word processing, built in video help and more in a virus free
system. With the large monitor, intuitive interface, easy menu of popular
features, and extensive customer support, Telikin helps people stay connected
to their families, friends and the world. Find out more at www.telikin.com With an estimated 36 million American facing age-related
hearing loss and the hearing aid market estimated at $6 billion dollars globally,
the race is on to apply current technology -- such as that used in noise
cancellation and miniaturization -- to an inexpensive, user friendly hearing
device. Personal Sound Amplification Products (PSAP) are being marketed as less expensive alternative to a traditional hearing aid. PSAPs are classified as electronics and
not as medical devices by the Food and Drug Administration, consequently they are
not regulated and do not require a prescription. While these personal sound amplifiers may help people hear things that are at low volume or at a distance, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wants to ensure that consumers don't mistake them—or use them as substitutes—for approved hearing aids. "Hearing aids and personal sound amplification products (PSAPS) can both improve our ability to hear sound," says Eric Mann, M.D., Ph.D, clinical deputy director of FDA's Division of Ophthalmic, Neurological, And Ear, Nose, and Throat Devices. "They are both wearable, and some of their technology and function is similar." There are a number of companies making PSAPs which range from well under $100 to around $1,000, unlike a typical pair of hearing aids which cost $3000-$4000. Able Planet, a $140 million consumer electronics company, offers a
tiny, in-ear device, called Personal Sound, which has won numerous product
awards. To read more see www.ableplanet.com/products/hearing-health Susan Luxenberg, President HomeSmart LLC |
Product Spotlight: Portable Ramp
| Posted on September 11, 2012 at 4:39 PM |
comments (1995)
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Roll-A-Ramp®
is an ADA compliant, portable, versatile ramp system great for use as a wheelchair or scooter ramp and for users looking for an option to chair lifts, permanent
ramps or conversion vans. Roll-A-Ramp®
is made of
an aircraft anodized aluminum, is very sturdy yet light enough to carry
by hand, and easily adapted to meet a
variety of accessibility needs. The ramps come in 12", 26", 30", & 36"
widths and can be built to any length desired. Add additional links to change the length with
simple tools provided with each ramp. Ramps roll up
like a sleeping bag for convenient storage and easy portability.  Homes – public buildings – visiting –
appointments – restaurants – RV’s – Roll-A-Ramp® can go whereever you need it.
   Note: Veterans may be
eligible for a ramp at little or no cost through HISA and other funding sources. This can be
used for service and non-service connected disabled veterans. In addition, Roll-A-Ramp® offers a lifetime warranty on ramps to all
Veterans.
For
more information contact Roll-A-Ramp® or view their dealer network. HomeSmart LLC |
Project File: Minor Bathroom Modifications
| Posted on September 4, 2012 at 12:07 PM |
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We're back after a very busy summer filled with interesting projects. In the coming weeks I'll share some of the
design challenges we faced in the hope they will motivate readers to share their own
projects, questions and solutions. My favorite project of
the summer was done for Baby Boomers who live in an upscale oceanfront
condo in S. Florida. Although they had recently redone their
master bath, one of the spouses had since suffered a disability and bathroom
modifications were needed so the bathroom would remain functional and
attractive for both. Given
that they had already spent quite a bit of money on the first renovation, they hoped to
keep the accessibility modifications to a minimum. CHALLENGES: 1. The
biggest obstacle to functionality was the curb at the shower entrance. The disabled spouse accessed the shower via a
wheelchair, and while able to stand and pivot onto a shower seat, walking was
difficult and the 5" shower curb made it extremely difficult to
navigate. Our preference when
adapting a shower for accessibility is to remove the curb and level the shower
and bathroom floors so there is a smooth transition between both. We pitch the floor and adjust the shower
drainage to include trench drains at either the shower entrance or back wall to
catch any water from "leaking" onto the bathroom floor. In this case however, while the pitch was
good, the shower floor was actually 1/4" higher than the bathroom
floor. Our client wanted a simple,
inexpensive solution so that that the shower floor would not need to be dug out,
re-plumbed and re-poured to match the level of the bathroom floor. 2. The disabled spouse
was using a free standing shower chair which was in the way when their partner
used the shower 3.There were inadequate
grab bars in the shower to aid the disabled spouse in standing once seated in
the shower 4.The lowboy toilet
necessitated the need for a toilet commode which both spouses disliked. 5.The entrance door to
the master bedroom/bath suite was 30 " wide and was a tight turn for the
wheelchair when coming into the master suite hallway. As a consequence, the walls and door trim
were getting pretty beat up. BEFORE – EXISTING BATHROOM  5”
shower curb, narrow glass door entry, free standing shower chair   Lowboy toilet with
commode; grab bars placement ineffective for client  Narrow doorway created
tight access for wheelchair DURING RENOVATIONS: 1. Shower entrance – the 5” curb and glass
doors and panels were removed so that non-slip stone tile matching the existing
marble was installed as a sloped threshold.  2. A built in shower seat extending across the
back of the shower was built to eliminate need for a free standing shower
chair.  3. All the glass, doors and panels were
removed. The ½ wall between the vanity
and shower was built up so that we could install a grab bar at an appropriate height
for the client’s use on the interior shower wall.  AFTER – RENOVATED BATHROOM  Curb-less entry shower, 36” frameless shower door, built
in granite shower seat, additional grab bars  The old toilet, commode and grab bars were removed
and replaced with a Kohler Cimarron series, comfort height toilet and new grab
bars on either side of the toilet better located for the client.  There was
no room to open up the doorway given the configuration of the rest
of the condo. We were able however, to
gain an additional 2” in the doorway by installing swing away hinges
and cutting a pocket in the wall for the door handle so that the door would lie
flat against the hallway wall. HomeSmart LLC |
Stylish Accessible Vanities
| Posted on July 15, 2012 at 10:54 AM |
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Roll-under sinks and vanities are a necessary
feature of accessible bathrooms, and making a vanity roll-under can be done in
many different ways. Most often the
approach is practical where function trumps design, but a few companies are
starting to offer vanities that go beyond a functional solution. Duravit, a German company, has created a bathroom
collection that is really quite stylish. Its Delos Collection was intended to
be light and minimalistic, working well for both master and guest bathrooms.   The apparently floating console has no visible supports, made possible by an invisible wall fitting that enables this straight-lined
design to be showcased to full effect. Tall
cabinets, semi-high cabinets, and drawer units complete the collection. The
cabinet doors do not have handles. They protrude a little over the edge to
facilitate opening. Delos drawers can be opened and closed with a little gentle
pressure. A new, interior organizer system offers a particularly tidy solution for
the interior. The Delos countertops are simple and leave plenty of space
below. The sink can be mounted under the counter for accessibility or set on top of the counter for a modern look. Towel bars can be attached to any side of the console, making
them very easy to reach. Delos is available in two
wood finishes and in a high-gloss white. The real-wood veneers in
particular highlight the comfortable character of the bathroom furniture. Choose
from dark walnut or light oak. President HomeSmart LLC |
Recent Questions: Kitchen Lighting Levels
| Posted on June 24, 2012 at 3:39 PM |
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Question: We are
about to remodel our kitchen and want to incorporate universal design ideas for
aging in place. We’ve read that we will need increased room lighting, but we don’t know how standard lighting is
calculated let alone increased lighting. Can you give us an idea of how to determine correct lighting for our
new kitchen? Answer: A well-lit kitchen layers and blends four different types of light: general or ambient lighting in the ceiling, task lighting over sink, cooking and work areas, display lighting in cabinets, and possibly some decorative lighting, like lamps, chandeliers, or wall sconces. The most important lighting to consider for the purposes of aging in place is both general and task lighting. I
recently worked with clients who also were remodeling their kitchen. They had
already gone to a kitchen designer/contractor for a new layout but wanted me to
review their plans with an eye towards aging in place, and one of the questions
that came up was that of adequate lighting. My clients' windowless, 10’ x 12’, galley kitchen had a single ceiling fixture and
there was no task lighting at all. And
while the new plan called for under cabinet lighting, there was no plan to
change, or add to, the ceiling lighting After
researching the question of illumination levels, I found the simplest
calculation to be 8.5 lumens per square foot – walls, ceiling, and floor
included. This calculation pertains to
general lighting levels only and
excludes any under cabinet lighting, which is considered to be task lighting. So here’s an
example: A 10’ x 15’
by 8’ kitchen has a walls/floor/ceiling surface area of around 700 square
feet. An 8.5 in/sf target suggests you
might want to build in the capacity to generate at least 5950 total lumens. A basic 50 watt PAR 30 bulb produces about
660 lumens, so I’d use about 9 of them to light up that kitchen.  As for task
lighting, islands, areas over the sink and stove, and counter tops require more
concentrated, direct lighting since they are work areas. Every
section of kitchen counter top needs task lighting. Such lighting can be provided by
under cabinet lighting attached to the wall cabinets or by small pendant fixtures. When planning for task lighting, remember to allow for separate switches rather than a single switch which will allow you to turn on only that counter top lighting that you need rather than all the fixtures at once. President HomeSmart LLC |
Home Safety Checklist
| Posted on June 15, 2012 at 2:24 PM |
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June is Home
Safety month highlighting the need for fall prevention within the home. Just to set the stage,
Outside of our homes we often have to deal with uneven pavements, crossing lights that change too quickly and force us to hurry, sidewalk and step materials that get slippery when wet, stairs without railings, and poorly lit entrances to name just a few commonly found hazards. Our homes, however, are under our control which gives us the opportunity to remove risks to our safety. So what can we do within our homes to reduce unnecessary hazards that contribute to our risk of injury and falls? Home Safety Checklist EXTERIOR ENTRANCES AND EXITS Check driveways, sidewalks, and walkways to make sure they're free from cracks and uneven surfaces Steps should have a non-slip surface
Handrails are installed on both sides of stairs Install outdoor lights at all entrances Outside walkways and sidewalks should be well lit Make sure the entrance threshold is not a tripping hazard Door knob, lock, key, peephole & package shelf all work and are easy to use Place stickers on glass patio doors to prevent walking into them KITCHEN AND BATHROOMS Sinks & tub faucets, shower controls and drain plugs are accessible & manageable Under sink hot water pipes are covered Task lighting is sufficient Grab bars installed in shower/tub area Non-slip treads or coating installed in shower/tub Mirror height is appropriate to sit & stand Kitchen shelves are reachable without step stool There is a surface adjacent to stove for hot food placement Scatter rugs are secured with non-slip, double sided rug tape Adjustable height shower head is installed There is a fire extinguisher in the kitchen INTERIOR DOORS, WINDOWS, STAIRS, HALLS Doorways are wide enough for entry All windows and patio doors open easily, are easy to lock & operate Stair railings run full length of stairs on both sides and extend slightly beyond them Stairs have adequate lighting Light switches are installed at the top and bottom of stairs
There is contrast/texture for floor level changes Doorway thresholds are not a tripping hazard Runners and scatter rugs have non-slip pads or rug tape There are clear pathways in all rooms Carpeting should lie flat and be securely fastened All stairs to be in good repair, not loose, broken, missing or worn Pathways, exits, and halls are clear of miscellaneous items, toys, and cords HEAT, LIGHT,VENTILATIONS, WATER TEMP CONTROLS, SMOKE AND CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS, PHONES Thermostat is easy to read Extension cords are tied and out of the way Add nightlights to increase visibility especially in hallways, bathrooms and bedrooms Maintain a light or light switch within easy reach of the bed Always turn on a light before entering a room There are no scald valves on all faucets
Smoke detectors/CO detectors are in place Phones are located near bed, sofa, chair Doorbell & phone are loud enough to be heard President HomeSmart LLC |
Backyard Living for Seniors
| Posted on May 28, 2012 at 3:23 PM |
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About a year and a half ago I posted a blog about
housing trends for Seniors which included accessory dwelling units (ADU’s) like
the FabCab and MEDCottage (aka Granny Pods). These self-contained
units range in size from 300 to 1800 square feet, include features that support
aging in place, and incorporate universal design along with electronic
monitoring and medical care equipment options. All are pretty much built
in a factory, prepared for on-site assembly, trucked to your location and set
on a foundation. The advantages are
obvious - these pre-built units take up no more space than an apartment, are
easily assembled and disassembled, and allow for independence and privacy with family caregivers close at hand. Earlier this month, the New York Times published an article, “In-the-Backyard,
Grandma’s New Apartment” by SusanSeliger about the same topic with some
interesting updates.
The
article is about a doctor in Virginia whose parents could no longer live
independently and decided to move in with her rather than an assisted living facility. The
layout of her home however, proved to be physically unsuitable for her aging
parents and so the family ordered a
MEDCottage to be installed in the backyard. This month they will become the
first U.S. customers to install this 288 sq ft pre-built, free standing unit equipped with
assorted high tech devices (a hallway mat that lights up automatically as you
walk on it), durable medical equipment (an integrated ceiling lift), and medical
monitoring devices (technology that tracks blood pressure, glucose and heart
rate and automatically shares this information with both the caregiver and the client’s
physicians). There
are other prefab units on the market similar to the MEDCottage. Practical Assisted Living Structures (P.A.L.S.) are 280 sq ft, portable units that can be customized to an
individual client’s needs. Some features include closet rods that can be lowered to wheelchair level, a night light system on
automatic sensors, and bathrooms equipped with no-step showers and grab bars.
As
for pricing, the MEDCottage costs $85,000/year new but the distributors will
buy it back for $38,000 after 2 years of use.
A P.A.L.S. starts at approximately $67,000 or can be leased at $1,700
per month. Interested? You’ll first need to check your local zoning laws. At present only about half the states allow these units for family members, although there are additional states
currently considering legislation that would permit backyard ADU’s. President HomeSmart LLC |
Safe at Home
| Posted on May 19, 2012 at 6:05 PM |
comments (2003)
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While there are many people who would benefit from
home modifications, finding the money to pay for them can be difficult. Unless one has private funds, is entitled to VA
benefits, has a long term care policy that pays for accessibility modifications,
or can draw equity out of their home, there is little else that pays for adapting a home for safety and accessibility. Local
governments used to be a source of funding for these projects through Community
Development Block Grants (CDBG funds) but today most of that money has dried
up. The challenge then is finding resources to help
families that need these type of modifications but cannot afford to pay for this work
themselves. Rebuilding Together is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization providing critical home
repairs, modifications and improvements for America’s low-income homeowners. Their “Safe at Home” program
addresses home repair and maintenance issues that may otherwise present a
safety risk or that limit access to or within the home. Safe at Home covers a variety of strategies,
including:
Safe at Home modifications cover fall prevention, fire safety and general safety issues.
Rebuilding Together and their affiliates can’t do it all on their own so collaborating with national and local organizations is a critical factor in a holistic approach to service delivery. Community partners include but are not limited to:
Look for your local chapter of Rebuilding
Together and find out more on their website: http://rebuildingtogether.org/whatwedo/how-we-help/safehomes President HomeSmart LLC |
Aging in Place: Attitudes about Homeownership
| Posted on May 4, 2012 at 4:37 PM |
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Along with the desire to age in place comes the question
of exactly where to age. Should you stay
in your existing home or move to another?
If you stay, should you renovate to improve comfort and safety and will
those renovations add value to your home?
If you move to a different location, should you purchase another home or
is it more practical to rent? No matter which option you’re leaning towards, you’ll
need to factor in an evaluation of the current housing market along with emerging
trends. The Colton Housing Group recently conducted a national study among 3,005 homeowners and
renters to better understand how Americans feel about today’s housing market
and their aspirations for owning or renting a home in the future. The survey
and six focus groups were commissioned by Hanley Wood, LLC, and its two main
publications, BUILDER and REMODELING magazines. The 70-question
survey focused on attitudes towards the current housing market and problems
encountered in the home buying process. Do Americans still view housing as a
good investment? Is now a good or bad time to buy or remodel? How do consumers
feel about obtaining a mortgage in today’s environment? Is homeownership still
important? How do consumers compare
owning with renting? Do consumer expectations vary among different age groups
and socio-economic segments of the population? The result of the survey paints an uncomfortable future for
the nation’s housing market in the short term — a market where credit is tight and
one where there is little urgency to buy now. It clearly identifies major
bottlenecks in the mortgage market that are keeping many buyers on the sidelines
and preventing any significant rebound in housing activity. Over the long term, however, the survey tells a more
positive story. Specifically, the survey
findings show that the desire to own a home has not been derailed by the difficult economic times we're experiencing and that Americans generally understand the important
role housing plays in creating new jobs, generating household wealth, and
sustaining a long term economic recovery. First, the question of rent or buy. While the dream of owning a home is certainly
alive and well, renting is on the rise because for many it’s become the only
option due to tough lending requirements.
When asked what sort of housing they would look for if moving to a new
location, 62% of the renters said they would have no
choice but to rent again. In sharp contrast, only 10% of home-owning
households said they would rent rather than buy another home. According to real estate website Trulia, buying was cheaper than renting in 74% of the
country's 50 largest cities. In addition
to a continuing decline in home prices, low interest rates have added a lot of weight to the buy side of
the scale. Add in the tax perks of home ownership and for those who can
afford it, it’s still a buyer's market. So, what are the expectations for home prices during the
next year? More than one-fourth (28%) of
the homeowners expect to see some decline in prices in the year ahead, and
one-third (33%) expect some increase in prices in their market area. Expectations vary from region to region. In the Northeast, 24% of the owners expect
home prices to decline some in the year ahead, and 35% expect prices to
increase. In the West and Midwest, about 30% of the owners expect prices to
decline some, and another 30% expect home prices to rise. In the South, 27% of the owners are expecting
prices to decline a bit more, and 34% expect prices to rise in the year ahead. In response to the question, “Have changes in home
prices influenced your home-buying decision?” 35% of owners and 38% of renters said
yes. And while 50% of homeowners under the
age of 35 reported that changes in home prices influenced their home buying
decision, that percentage fell with age:
37% for owners in the 35-44 age group, 28% for 45- to 64-year olds, and
17% for owner aged 65 or older. What seems to be sorely lacking in today’s market is not
desire but a real sense of urgency to buy a home now. Two out of three
homeowners and 23% of renters are comfortable with their current living
arrangements. And both owners (40%) and renters (45%) cited “no urgency to buy
now” as one of the principal reasons for staying out of the market. Another trend reflected in the survey findings is the increasing
number of people who are doubling-up with friends and family. More than one-third of the owner households and
about one fourth of the renter households are doubling-up – young adults with
parents, elderly parents with their adult children or grandchildren, unrelated
adults living together. In order to
project future housing demand, it is important to recognize the trend and
understand why it’s occurring, whether it’s to cut expenses and ride out the
recession, care for an aging parent, or for some other reason. For those who question whether or not to renovate in
order to remain in their current home, remodeling is becoming a more attractive
option in today’s housing market. One
out of five homeowners (22%) has recently completed a remodeling job or plans to
remodel in the next two years instead of buying another home. Baby-boom
generation homeowners are the most optimistic about the remodeling market, not a surprise given that homeowners over age 50 had a strong preference for
staying in their current home throughout their retirement years. Among
all respondents 50 or older, more than half (54%) said that they would stay in
their current home for their entire retirement. Another 18% said they would stay in their
current home first then buy another home later, and 10% said they would move to a different home (brand new or
existing) before retiring or had already bought another home after retiring. So all that said,
what’s the bottom line? Home ownership remains
an important part of the American experience and receives broad-based support
from all age, ethnic, and income groups. And even though more than half of
the homeowners surveyed experienced some decline in their home’s value over the
past year, they still regard homeownership as a good, long term investment. President HomeSmart LLC . |
Recent Questions: Designing Small Spaces
| Posted on April 24, 2012 at 10:27 AM |
comments (459)
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Question: My husband and I recently retired and decided to move to another area of the country. We sold our larger, family home and purchased a two bedroom condo in our new location. I'm struggling with how to turn this much smaller space into something that feels comfortable. What can you suggest? Answer: Decorating a small space can be a big challenge, so here are some tips for creating a spacious feeling in your new home. Stick to a single color palette. A monochromatic room can feel clean and calming. Vary the tones and textures of a single color and keep all of your furniture in a light, muted palette. Break your color scheme with a few saturated accents. Make your furniture multi-task. Look for furniture that does double duty - a cabinet that folds out into a guest bed, or a desk that expands into a table. These units are completely functional when opened but can easily be minimized when not required to save on space.   Create Illusions. Define different living areas with half walls or open room dividers which help to open up the space visually. Area rugs will do the same thing. Color and contrast also work to make a room appear larger or smaller. The more saturated the wall color is, the more the walls seem to advance towards you creating the feeling of a smaller room. The paler the color, the more the walls seem to recede, making the room appear larger. Use vertical space as well as horizontal space. Do not ignore the value of wall space. Build shelves under staircases, install floor to ceiling kitchen cabinets, hang pots over your stove and utensils from a wall over a work counter. You can also install open or closed cabinetry over a desk and a built-in medicine cabinet in the bathroom.   Bigger is better. A lot of small furniture can make a room feel cluttered. Instead, arrange the room around a few prominent pieces to make the room feel sleeker. Lightweight pieces in simple designs work best. Furniture with legs make your rooms appear larger as do glass tables. Work from the top down. An overhead focal point draws the eye upward and increases the visual height of a room. Choose a ceiling color a few shades lighter than your walls for an uninterrupted floor-to-ceiling flow.
 Make every closet count. Custom designing your closets will give you maximum use of that very valuable space. Don't settle for a simple rod and shelf -- you'll be amazed at how much storage you can get in a well designed closet. Select accessories
you love. Keeping
things simple helps a small space seem uncluttered, but a house becomes a home when it’s filled with things you love.
Hang the chandelier you found at the flea market, display the carving
from one of your travels, and hang that well loved quilt. Not only will your favorite accessories make
your home more interesting to others but they will give you a sense that you
are indeed still home. President HomeSmart LLC |
