In an effort to create an accessible, yet beautiful bath, for aging in place, consider a new line of tile by Jasba.   

Offered in a palette of exciting shapes, colors and textures, the beauty of this product is more than skin deep!  The innovative HT coating gives the tile an antibacterial effect.  Light activates the oxygen molecules, which decompose bacteria and germs.  Water is not repelled, but spreads to form a thin film on the tile surface.  Dirt is then washed down and can easily be removed.  The coating also eliminates odors, thus improving the air quality of the space.  Visit our industry partner Rubble Tile to view this exciting new product!

Rethinking our Homes for Aging in Place
   
The desire for independence is natural and ninety-five percent of adults 75 and older want to stay in their homes. The earlier you start to make decisions and incorporate Universal Designs in your home the better. Life happens. As our day to day lives continue to race by we need to take the time to rethink our home so we can
“age in  place”. It’s like saving for retirement, those changes and/or design plans will be in place for when the time comes.

Take a moment to browse online at the many design options available.  Here at
Lake Country Builders, STAY AT HOME, Inc. we are excited to continue forward with our clients in helping them with these changes and introducing new clients to the possibilities.  A little forethought during the “design & planning” stages can be your best investment of both time and money if you want to live happily ever after in your home.

There are many publications out now focused on Universal Design in Interior Design.  STAY AT HOME, Inc. is proud to be listed with the NAIPC ( National Aging in Place Council)  as a Service Provider for Interior Design and Home Remodeling.

Recommended reading on this topic can be found on their website. www.ageinplace.org


 
 

Kohler Co. is leading the way in universal design. I thought this article found on their website best explains how the bathroom is the first room that most people aging in place remodel.

With a goal to remain in their own homes as long as possible, savvy seniors and smart baby boomers are remodeling their baths to support “aging in place” well into their advanced years. It’s part of a concept called universal design, which advocates creating living spaces that accommodate people regardless of their age or physical abilities.

"Active older adults are beginning to decide to stay in their homes for the long term," says Susan Duncan, RN, president of The ABCs of Accessibility Inc., an interior design firm specializing in universal design. "They're looking ahead, and planting the seeds, to figure out how to stay at home."

The last thing health-conscious active adults want are bathrooms that suggest old age or that look remotely institutional. Fortunately, there are features that can help you stay comfortable while enhancing your bathroom's beauty and elegance. Here are some ideas:

Adaptable products

Keep in mind that your bath products must be able to adapt to your changing needs, yet must also be suitable for people of all ages. That’s where the “universal” in universal design comes in.

A spacious, curbless shower with a handshower can be a necessity for an older adult using a mobility device or needing assistance, says Louis Tenenbaum, a consultant on aging in place in Potomac, MD. Handshowers with slidebars are even more versatile, as they can be mounted low enough to accommodate both seated and standing users.

Consider adjustable or customizable cabinets --a vanity cabinet with a removable base or pocket doors can easily allow for a wheelchair. Cabinets and counters wall-mounted on shelf brackets can be adjusted for height or removed to add space for mobility, says Cynthia Leibrock of Easy Access to Health in Livermore, CO.

Another option is a wall-mounted sink. This style works great for aging seniors, since the space can accommodate a wheelchair or other mobility device.

Invisible integration

It’s easy to anticipate your future needs with some simple choices. Consider accentuating the open space under and around the vanity area with elegant glass countertops, floating drawers and under-sink lighting. Installing side-by-side sinks at two heights can accommodate people of different statures or seated users.

Integrate hidden structural changes during renovation to give you the option of adding features later, when you need them. For instance, plywood reinforcements in bathroom walls give you the option of installing grab bars anywhere in the room at any time.

Universal appeal

Products designed to be easy to use for everyone can offer specific benefits to seniors, particularly those who have problems with their joints or balance. Mary Jo Peterson, a design consultant in Brookfield, Connecticut, and a strong advocate of universal design, points toKOHLER Comfort Height® toilets as a prime example. She says that seniors often opt for toilets with this chair-height, which is comfortable for most average-height adults, while helping seniors avoid excessive bending.

"Over and over again, older people have this 'aha!' experience with Comfort Height toilets," notes Peterson. "They say, 'Oh, much better. Much easier!'"

Faucets are another important consideration. Older adults—or anyone with arthritis or reduced hand dexterity--might find a smooth, round faucet knob difficult to use, Peterson says. Kohler has a large selection of faucets, including the Purist® bathroom sink faucet with a low gooseneck spout and low-lever handles, that are easy to maneuver. What's more, they're beautiful--an essential requirement for aging baby boomers.

Access for all

Some of us need just a little more help in the bath. The innovative Elevance® Rising Wall bath offers a fully immersive, authentic bathing experience for people with mobility issues. Yet unlike other, more institutional options, Elevance is attractive and stylish.

Helping People with Dementia to Stay at Home:

Recently,  Lake Country Builders interviewed for a project involving Alzheimers residents. I found myself in unfamiliar territory and wondered what is  Alzheimers and how is it different from other unfamiliar diseases such as Dementia? Below is a summary of research and information for our weekly Stay At Home Blog:

It can happen at any age -that's what people don't realize.  People in their 50's die from it all of the time.  There are 38 types of Dementia and Alzheimer's. Alzheimers and Dementia are basically two generic names given to them all. You cannot know which type of Dementia someone has unless they have their brain opened after death. Most often, this doesn’t happen and the disease remains mysterious and misunderstood.

 With dementia, it is progressive and more and more brain goes missing- at some point your body starts to forget certain life things- like how to turn on a faucet, how to brush your teeth, go to the bathroom.

 In fact, death occurs because your body will forget how to breathe, etc. Pretty scary stuff!

Dementia is one of the biggest health and social care challenges of our generation. Yet, as  reports  show, we are failing to address it effectively.  

The next question worth wondering is, Can people with Alzheimers and Dementia remain in their homes with this disease?

While staying at home is not right for everyone we know many people want to remain in the familiar surroundings they are used to with family or loved ones. Only with the right support and improvements in the home will this be possible.

Many people are happier if they can remain independent and in their own homes as long as possible.

Helping people with dementia to live at home and preventing them from needing to go into hospitals could save 127 million a year, according to a report launched by Healthcare at Home today.

To achieve this, it may be necessary to make some adaptions to their homes or to use new equipment and/or assistive technology that has been designed to enable people with dementia to remain independent for longer or make it easier for others to give support.

There are several options for extending care at home:

• In-home help refers to caregivers that you can hire to provide assistance for your loved one. In-home help ranges from help a few hours a week to live-in help, depending on your needs. You’ll want to evaluate what sort of tasks you’d like help with, how much you can afford to spend, and what hours you need. Getting help with basic tasks like housekeeping, shopping, or other errands can also help you provide more focused care for your loved one.
• Day programs, also called adult day care, are programs that typically operate weekdays and offer a variety of activities and socialization opportunities. They also provide the chance for the caregiver to continue working or attend to other needs. There are some programs that specialize in dementia care.
• Respite care. Respite care is short-term care where your loved one stays in a facility temporarily. This gives the caregiver a block of time to rest, travel or attend to other things. This gives time for in home improvements to be made by a certified remodeler and when the person in need returns to their home-they are more comfortable and happy.

***Call Lake Country Builders, Stay At Home division for a team evaluation of your site at 952-474-7121.

Design with others in mind….

Universal Design is the practice of incorporating important design considerations including use of material, safety issues,   logistical / access systems and accessibility.  I believe in incorporating Universal Design in all we do.

When we start designing a remodel project or home for Stay at Home tm ,we discuss the Universal Design ideas at the outset..  For example:

If we are putting in a new shower, why not drop the curb and make it flush with the floor? Same amount of tile and labor and  you have only added a few hours of carpentry. You have made the shower stall easier to use for yourself, aging parents ,other seniors and even people with disabilities - easy access for everyone! Also why not use a 36” opening in that shower and install a vertical shower head rod to make that adjustable. All that makes perfect sense!

When designing the master bath, how about making sure there is an unencumbered clear 5 ‘radius in the room, if you have space. Sure would help you not bump into reach other – you would also be helping yourself or others in its future use as movements get restricted for seniors. It also looks great!

If we are drawing a 2-6 door, why not make it 2-8? Doesn’t take any more time and the installation is the same. The cost differential for a 2-8 door vs. a 2-6 door is minimal too. Same goes for wider hallways- same amount of labor and material – that won’t cost you a dime and greatly helps access and travel. 

·       Order you exterior doors with flush thresholds. It eliminates that board that you might stub your toe on and make it easy access!

 These are many other things one can discuss, but you must catch these issues at the start of design. So…. “Start design with others in mind “and you’ll get the same great design while you might be helping others who visit or live in your home!