This month in Sustainable Trends we will look into the growing movements of two very different fields of design. Both have focused goals with plans of turning their trend into a lifestyle. First we will take a look at various design solutions for remodeling homes of elders. After, we will briefly explore what sustainable design actually means and a few factors that go into creating a sustainable home. Creating design solutions that will allow the elderly to stay in their respected homes has recently become a booming advocate of the home remodeling business. The comfort of home can never be underestimated, and as a person ages they cling to familiar surroundings. As cliché as it sounds “home truly is where the heart is”; and more and more elders want to remain in their existing environments. Because of this, designers and repair contractors have taken the initiative to research the best design solutions to existing problems and constraints within a home. Over a three day course a working team can become Certified Aging- In- Place- Specialists. Throughout this course the designers and repair contractors learn through limitations. They are put through series of tests that limit their accessibility by hindering their sight and movement. It is asked of them to try and perform the tasks with these ailments so that they can truly see what it is like to be an elder with these problems.
Cynthia Leibrock has exemplary knowledge on aging and the factors needed for redesigning accessible homes for elders. She created a list that can be followed to improve their living situations. Going through the lists one will see that it is broken up into segments from “do it yourself” improvements to more high-end jobs that require a professional.
Do it now: 1. Tape down rugs. 2. Add handrails with extensions to both sides of the stairs. 3. Add grab bars to your shower. 4. Reorganize your kitchen around the tasks you perform. 5. Add offset pivot hinges to narrow doors. Replace your shower head with a hand held shower on a vertical grab bar. 6. Do an energy audit. (We generally need higher ambient temperatures as we age.) Add task lighting to improve visual acuity. 7. Be proactive about your health— reorganize your house to encourage you to make it fun to exercise and to cook healthy meals. Try steam cooking; a portable steamer costs less than $100. Keep your house cleaner with a place to remove shoes upon entering. 8. Remodel the inside of your cabinets. Add pop-up shelves, lazy susans, pull-out racks, and lighter colors, for example. Add warning systems: Smoke detectors CO2 detectors, and driveway alerts. 9. Replace difficult controls with door levers and cabinet "C" grips, not knobs; use pressure switches, touch controls, and rocker switches on lamps. To test what works, try to use all controls with a closed fist. Then try to use all of them with one hand. 10. Replace your cookware for safety. Look for stay-cool handles and nondrip edges, for example.