Senior and Handicapped Accessible Home Design and Building Tips:

The following is a brief outline of things which should be considered when designing a new home or remodeling an existing home for someone with special needs. Special needs can be defined as anyone who is getting a little older and would like to have their home be a little more convenient to someone who has a serious physical handicap and needs special accommodations in order to maintain an independent lifestyle.

Kitchens

    *Make everything easy to reach and safe to use.

    *Choose practical cabinetry with slide out or rotating shelves to make utensils and groceries
     easily accessible.  

     *Use countertops which are easy to clean.

     *Use base cabinets that are easy to reach rather than a lot of fancy wall cabinets that cannot be
      reached.

     *Position and install sinks and appliances for easy and safe use.

     *Lower sinks to an easy to reach height.

     *Select faucets that are easy to operate.

     *Place switches within easy reach.

     *Lower stove tops, ovens and microwaves so that they are convenient to use.

     *Create stratigically located, comfortable workstations.

     *Lower countertops at primary work areas.

     *Provide leg room for sit down work stations and provide seating and/or support at appropriate  
      points.

     *Eliminate sharp corners where ever possible.

     *Install Ground Fault Circut Interrupter (GFCI) electrical circuits.

Make your kitchen environment an enjoyable, safe and comfortable work space. You will spend a lot of time in here. The less energy you expend making a meal, the more time and energy you will have to enjoy it. You don't have to spend excess funds on specialized fixtures and components, just use a little common sense in the layout process.

 Bathrooms

     *Accessibility is the key in every layout.

     *Toilets, showers and tubs should have ample room for walkers and/or wheelchair access.

     *Sinks and makeup tables should be designed for use while sitting.

     *Cabinets with drawers or slide out shelves are easier to use than ones with stationary shelves.

     *Install support blocking for handicap bars, even if you don't currently need them.

     *Lower the controls in the shower for easy access.

     *Shower seats make life simpler, safer and more comfortable.

     *Consider mutiple shower heads a different heights with seperate controls and flexible extension
      heads.

     *Make shower thresholds low for easy access.

    *Consider ceramic flooring with floor drains for easy cleaning and safety.

    *Lower mirrors and cabinets to a level that they can be used efficiently.

    *Hooks for towels and wash cloths are easier to manage than towel bars

    *Use slip resistant flooring

    *Install Ground Fault Circut Interrupter (GFCI) electrical circuts.

Bedrooms

    *Install extra plugs next to beds for medical equipment, even if you don't need it now.

     *Provide easy access around beds.

     *Consider three way bedside light switches or remote controlled switches.

    *Lay out the bedroom for easy "middle of the night" navigation.

General Living Areas

    *Install three way light switches to eliminate crossing a dark room to turn on the lights.

    *Place electrical switches at least twelve inches off the floor for easy access.

    *Install hand rail reinforcement blocking, even if you don't need it now. It is cheaper to install it
      now than later.

    *Use flooring that is low maintenance.

    *Lay out main traffic patterns for easy flow - minimize long hallways, minimize turns.

    *Use wide doors with easy function latches and hardware. Levers are easier to operate than
      knobs.

Exterior Accessibility

    *Use entry ramps instead of stairs.

    *Keep thresholds low.

    *Provide for barrier free access to and around yard areas.

    *Use low maintenance attractive landscaping.

    *Use deadbolt locks with remote operators (similar to car remote).

    *Install automatic exterior lighting with motion detectors. These provide security as well as
      functionality.

    *Use non-skid surfaces on entryways.

    *Hardwire the home for security systems and "smart home" devices during construction.

    *Consider an intercom system to save steps.

This is a very small excerpt from a long list of things to consider to make your home accesssible if you are a senior or have special needs. We will take the time to address every need and requirement you may have in the design process.