By Meagan Holbrook, Lutheran Life Communities
With 89 percent of individuals age 50 and up wanting to stay in their homes, it is no surprise that alternatives to assisted living and long-term care are sprouting up all over the country. In order to meet the demand in services that the growing aging population is creating, the concept of “aging in place” has grown and gained traction as a new way to age at home. Universal design is a major component of aging in place. More than just a concept in aging in place, universal design is something that is utilized every day that we rarely think about.
If something is universally designed, it allows for equitable use, accessible for all, regardless of physical capability or other barriers to use. For example, doors at many large stores are automatic; they open without any pulling or pushing. They slide open, allowing anyone to enter as they move through them. Another example of equitable design is a computer mouse, designed for someone left-handed. This provides ease of use for someone who is left-handed.
Universal design in a home is no different. Equitable use within a home means that spaces are easy to use for anyone, as they move through their day-to-day tasks, even as they age or as household tasks become more difficult, for whatever reason.
Changing things in the house to be more accessible includes lowering cabinets and shelves so they are easier to reach, adding grab bars in different locations around the home, or putting ramps in where a few steps may pose a challenge. Changes such as these allow individuals to live safely and comfortably in their homes for longer.
AARP provides a checklist of changes in the home that qualify a home within universal design. Additional changes on their list include wider hallways, lazy susans in cabinets, raised comfort-height toilets, and bedrooms and bathrooms located on the first floor of the home.
When looking for a building professional to make changes within your home, ensure you choose someone who is certified in universal design by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). On their website (www.nahb.org), click on “For Consumers” and they have a listing of certified professionals.
MySolutions is a proven leader in home care solutions and provides move management services, as well as aging in place services. For more information on how MySolutions can help you in your home, please call Aggie Hedin, Community Services Coordinator at
309-557-8212.