SPONSORED CONTENT presented by the Cuyahoga Board of Developmentak Disabilities
Aging in Place:
Universal Design or Home Modifications?
Universal design is not the sole universal remedy, says Daniel Lemaster, Home Modification Coordinator for the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Cuyahoga DD).
“Universal design is often seen with new builds, certainly. It’s a way of making sure the home can be used easily by most everyone. But universal design may not meet everyone’s needs. That’s why understanding how to adapt a living space for safety and accessibility is so important.”
Universal design, accessible choices include:
- Door handles instead of knobs
- Light (rocker) switches at four feet or lower
- Door widths 32 inches or greater
- Five-foot by five-foot minimum radius on landings or between furniture and walls
- ADA Toilets: 18- 19-inch seat height (instead of 15-16-inch)
“With any home modification, you must look at the whole person and the entire space they want to use,” Lemaster says.
He knows what he’s talking about. Lemaster is an Occupational Therapist certified in CAP (Certified Aging in Place). He and his Cuyahoga DD colleagues received 540 referrals for home modifications last year.
Plan for the Potentials
Lemaster and his team use modular ramps when possible. “We need to be thoughtful about the money we spend, and this type requires very little maintenance,” he says. Ramps are designed to meet a rise-to-distance ratio of 1:12 or 1:10 inches.
“Why just prevent a fall using grab bars when you improve your independence by replacing your bathroom vanity with a roll-under sink? Another big improvement for the people we serve is an automatic front-door opener.”
Getting Clean, Easily
Bathroom modifications have options. “Sometimes, if it’s just a balance issue and they can transfer, our therapists would recommend a walk-in shower, with a bench or grab bars, or a roll-in version with a shower chair. We can also do ceiling tracking; in those cases, some people still love to have a soak, or use a big, complex shower chair for stretching out during a shower. Also, ceiling tracking from the bed to the shower, using a sling, is a great option for small homes,” Lemaster says.
Consult the Experts
Lemaster recommends that people who want to stay in their home should reach out to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) for a list of certified Aging in Place specialists. Another option is to hire a general contractor with a CAP certification.
“At the county, Occupational Therapy (OT) and Physical Therapy (PT) staff evaluate and make recommendations for increased safety and accessibility for everyone living there.
“Adaptations and home modifications are part of their education. They have a mind for making somebody’s space work for them, as in, This doorway is a fall hazard. OT/PTs look at the whole person and the entire space they want to use,” he says.
Ultimately, with home modifications, safety is the need, but independence is the want.
“It’s all about being able to do what you couldn’t before. With our home-modification project designs, we’re looking for reactions of joy.”
