05-04-2015, 07:12 AM
Research "Universal Design", the idea that properly designed houses should work for all ages and agilities.
This design principle means things like lever handles instead of doorknobs, wider hallways and doors, no steps or changes in floor levels inside, grab bars and slightly taller toilets in the bathroom and so on. These things may keep you out of assisted living longer than another ten years and are fairly cheap to build new and very expensive to retrofit. These design standards are appealing to all ages, anyone at any age can break a bone and end up using a wheelchair or walker, and will really appreciate those grab bars and wide hallways. My parents were able to stay in their last home for 10 years longer than originally p-lanned because they designed that way.
This design principle means things like lever handles instead of doorknobs, wider hallways and doors, no steps or changes in floor levels inside, grab bars and slightly taller toilets in the bathroom and so on. These things may keep you out of assisted living longer than another ten years and are fairly cheap to build new and very expensive to retrofit. These design standards are appealing to all ages, anyone at any age can break a bone and end up using a wheelchair or walker, and will really appreciate those grab bars and wide hallways. My parents were able to stay in their last home for 10 years longer than originally p-lanned because they designed that way.