Most of us want to live in our homes for as long as we choose. We want to be close to family and friends in the communities where our children were raised and our lifelong relationships established. But most of us live in “Peter Pan” homes thinking we’ll never grow old. The sweeping stairs leading up to the front door, the second floor master suite, the basement laundry room, the hot tub – all the things we love most about our homes are slowly becoming obstacles in our daily lives.

To successfully age in place, we must look carefully at our homes and determine if and how our existing homes can accommodate our changing needs. Universal Design may well be the solution. Universal Design is a design concept that makes living environments more livable and user-friendly for as many people as possible, regardless of age, size or ability. When implemented correctly, Universal Design is transparent and invisible.

To understand the concept, imagine your kitchen with the microwave on top of the stove. Most homes have this scenario and we don’t think about it, but what if you’re injured or short? Can you safely reach the microwave with cooking pots and boiling water? The Universal Design solution is to locate the microwave at a level that everyone can use: on the counter, on a shelf below, or in a microwave drawer.

Universal Design is about function and flexibility in the home, allowing your home to adapt to you as life changes. A house with Universal Design features is like any other house: the difference is in functionality and habitability. Universal Design provides options that allow us to remain safe and independent in our homes for as long as we choose.

Below is an abbreviated list of Universal Design features that can be incorporated into any home:

GENERAL

• A stepless entrance to the house
• Handrails on all entrance steps
• Motion sensor light at all entrances
• 34″ wide minimum door openings
• Bedroom, accessible bathroom and laundry on the first floor
• Open floor plan for mobility and natural lighting
• Front/Raised Load Washer and Dryer
• Non-glare floor and countertop surfaces
• Non-slip floors or low-pile carpet with level thresholds
• Door-level handles throughout

KITCHEN

• Lever handle faucet sink and 6-1/2″D bowl for easy access
• Cabinets with retractable doors under the sink and kitchen
• Microwave drawer or place on counter/shelf (never above range)
• Accessible outlets and balanced, uniform lighting
• Hands-free faucet, side-by-side refrigerator, quiet range hood
• Fewer wall cabinets, more base cabinets with pull-out drawers and shelves
• Security locks and appliances with dual signals

BATH

• walk-in shower without curbs
• Adjustable hand shower unit on sliding grab bar
• Recessed or folding shower seat
• The bathroom door opens outside the room
• Balanced lighting and silent ventilation.
• lever taps
• Non-slip heated floor.
• Support bars as towel rails