Aging in Place Concerns
UNIVERSAL DESIGN BEST PRACTICES
Enter and exit of the home
- At least one no-step entry with canopy/awning for protection
- Walkway path with little or no slope and 36-inches wide
- Surface to place packages on when opening the door
- Accessible level doorbell
- Keyless door locks operated by remote control or keypad
- Sensor light at entry aiming at front door lock
- 36-inch wide door (to accommodate 32 inches width)
- Lever-style door handles
- Non-slip flooring in foyer
- High/low peephole viewer
- Ramp to doorway if required
Up and down stairs
- Sturdy hand rails on both sides of stairways, 11/4-inch diameter
- Contrast strips on top and bottom stairs to increase visibility
- Color contrast between treads and risers on stairs and use of lighting
- Stair treads are 10 to 11-inches deep, wide enough for entire foot
- No carpet
- Stair rise is no more than 7-inches from one step to the next
- Multi-story homes may provide either pre-framed shaft (i.e. stacked closets) for future elevator, or stairway width must be a minimum of 4 feet to allow space for a stair lift.
Safety in the bathroom
- Bracing in the walls around the tub, shower, shower seat, and toilet for installing grab bars to support 250 pounds.
- Curb-less shower with minimum of 36-inches width
- Fold down seat in the shower
- Hand held adjustable shower heads with 6-foot hose
- Offset from center tub/shower controls
- Slip-resistant flooring in bathroom and shower
- Toilet 2.5-inches higher than standard (17 to 19-inches) with adjustable height.
- Wall-hung sink to accommodate knee space with a panel to protect user from pipes
- Bathtub with door for in/out ease, or a bath lift
- Color contrast edge borders at counter tops
- One hand toilet paper holder dispenser
- Wheelchair maneuverable bath on main level with 60-inch turning radius or t-turn space for 36-inch by 36-inch or 30-inch by 48-inch clear space
