HomeSmart - Home Adaptations for Independent Living

Assorted pictures from various projects

If you or a loved one are reaching the point in life where either a move or upgrades to a current home is necessary, working with an accessibility specialist can be like finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Maybe you or someone you know would like to be more independent but are having difficulty maneuvering the barriers found in most homes. Narrow doorways, stairs and steps, standard bathtubs, slippery floors are all common barriers to safety that most people struggle with as they get older. An accessibility specialist can help with these issue. These professionals deal with all of the aspects of home remodels in order to allow those who are aging but don’t want to move away from their home, or those with disabilities but who want to maintain their independent living conditions succeed in their desires. Although there are a large number of independent and assisted living facilities available in most areas, an overwhelming number of people would prefer to spend the golden years of their lives in the home where their children may have grown up, or where they’ve created decades of good memories and connections.

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Times are changing at an ever increasing pace, and with it, offerings in senior housing are attempting to keep pace. These days, seniors are delaying their move from independent to dependent living by as many years as possible using a variety of means, and gaining more control over decisions regarding where they live and what facilities are at their disposal.

With 2016 came an influx of new assisted living complexes, meaning that the competition can be fierce and providers must cater to a growing set of needs. Most of the time people move into an assisted living community due to needing some help with medial care that they can no longer maintain alone, even with the help of nearby family and friends. Over the next 20 years, our population aged 85 and above will increase by 74%. Knowing what types of medical conditions are most prevalent in their nearby communities in order to accommodate them in the best way possible will give providers a decided edge against the competition.

One way in which an assisted living provider can take advantage of both an increasing use of technology by seniors (52% of seniors are online) and cater to their desire to remain in their own homes is to offer assistance outside the walls of the assisted living residence. This may mean offering home visits to help support medical needs or even reminding someone remotely via a tablet to take their medications or eat at mealtimes.A surprisingly high percentage of seniors (over 70%) regularly use some type of online social media, so communication via these tablets or phones is also a great way for staff to keep in touch with their charges. A rise in the use of electronic health records could help support a growing number of seniors, both living in and outside of the residence, without overwhelming staff. This an easy way to track the health care and condition of a patient and provides a reliable database for those who can relay this information to concerned family members in order to help make the best medial decisions possible. It also provides a benchmark for those patients living outside the residence for use in considering how many years they will be able to continue to enjoy independent life in their own home. By providing elder care within their own homes, a company starts a relationship with potential future tenants sometimes years before they need any space within the residence walls.

It says a lot when a healthy 78 year old today has a life expectancy of 15 years or more with a reasonable level of activity and nutrition, compared to that of someone living in a traditional assisted living residence, who can expect half of that number in years ahead of them. As our health is better maintained later into life, candidates for residency will demand more and more facilities to support better fitness and diet. As expectations increase, so too do the number of ways in which a facility can deliver to their residents. “One stop shopping” businesses are cropping up to help provide a variety of elements that our ageing communities are looking for, including healthy catered meals, hair dressing, social activities, and fitness equipment and classes. When a provider can outsource all of these things, it has the ability to focus on the health and needs of the residents and become far more streamlined in its care.

Environments within a facility are changing too, as providers move to make the homes less institutionalized and more community-centric. Some even offer independent condo living style situations with small team of care givers to manage any concerns for their designated group of 6-10 residents. Others offer single unit homes or a townhome set up. The variety of living accommodations has certainly changed drastically over the sterile and hospital-like state of residences from days gone by.

With each generation adding years on to life expectancy, we will certainly see an increase in versatility and options for elder care in the decades to come. Our seniors are raising their voices and the demand to be heard is creating an ever increasing shift in a sense of control even late into their golden years.

Article by Jon Reyes, a guest writer from Steam Shower Store. Jon is a specialist writer and has extensive knowledge in everything related to steam showers, saunas and hydrotherapy benefits.

We were just notified we were awarded Best of Houzz 2017.

Great new product - a lightweight but sturdy foam threshold ramp. It holds up to 1500 lbs.,comes in 36" widths and 7 different heights to accommodate different height steps. These ramps have a rubberized coating for non-slip traction for both those who walk and those who use wheelchairs. Can be used indoors and out and will not scratch floors. These are a useful solution for sunken living rooms and dens as well as for patio door thresholds.

UNIVERSAL DESIGN & AGING IN PLACE

The concept of accessibility is closely linked with the concept of equality. In many countries, it is enshrined in law, for example the American with Disabilities Act, The ADA, however, only applies in certain, specific environments, essentially government-run facilities, public infrastructure and employment. It only covers a limited number of private companies, such as those involved in providing accommodation and transportation. The development of private homes is entirely outside the scope of this legislation and yet arguably the provision of high-quality, accessible homes is of fundamental importance in a society where lifespans have been growing longer for many years now, with the result that there is a growing segment of people who strongly wish to age in place and enjoy their independence in to great old age.

Universal Design

It’s therefore hardly surprising that the principle of universal design has come to the fore over recent years. In simple terms, universal design is based on the philosophy that all buildings should be completely accessible to everyone, as far as is reasonably and safely possible. In other words, the idea of homes being created to fulfill the needs of a certain group of potential customers (couples without children, families, empty nesters…) is replaced by the aim of creating homes which are suitable for anyone at any stage of life and regardless of any disability. As well as incorporating the principles of universal design into new-build homes, or homes which are in need of extensive renovation, it’s often possible to update existing homes to make them more accessible.

Accessibility in Practice

The first principle of universal design is that it should accommodate all users and avoid singling out any particular group of people. Features such as ramps, widened doorways and laminate flooring all enhance accessibility in a way which is appropriate to all users. The second principle is flexibility in use, which has become very much a feature of modern home design, particularly in cities. Although this concept is often viewed in the context of maximizing space in smaller homes, it also maximizes usability in larger spaces and includes features such as pull-out work areas in the kitchen, appropriate lighting and accessible storage. The third principle is simple and intuitive use. Functionality and usability takes place over advanced features. This would include features such as walk in tubs, floor-level showers and easy-access appliances. Again, while these features all enhance accessibility and help to make aging in place a feasible reality, they are all of benefit to all occupants of a home. It’s also worth noting here, that accessibility can become a major issue at any time, for example during the later stages of pregnancy or if a person has an accident and needs time to recover. Hence, creating (or adapting) homes with accessibility in mind, takes care of these situations before they arise.

Managing the aging process

As the old saying goes, growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional. The aging process is a part of life, but it’s also fair to say that older age has a very different meaning now than it did even twenty years ago. At age 82 Cloris Leachman competed in season 7 of Dancing with the Stars (in 2008) and lasted a full 7 weeks. There are many reasons for this change and one of these reasons is that many people have become more actively aware of the need to manage their health throughout their lives and, in particular, as they transition into their later years of adulthood and into their senior years. For all the advances in modern medicine, the human body itself still works in much the same way it always has, which means that as we age the body becomes more susceptible to injury and takes longer to recover from exercise or accidents. This makes it all the more important to find gentle way of stimulating the body, with minimal risk of injury. Water can play an important role in this. Swimming is a safe and fun way of keeping fit into later years and can be supplemented by wellness treatments which combine the benefits of both water and heat, such as whirlpool baths and steam rooms.


Article by Jon Reyes, a guest writer from Clearwells. Jon is a specialist writer and has extensive knowledge in everything related to steam showers, saunas and hydrotherapy benefits.

We recently completed this bathroom re-do for a wheelchair bound client. The wall between bedroom and bathroom was removed so as to open up access to what otherwise would have been too narrow a bath for wheelchair access.

The 6th Annual emb(race)® on Sunday, February 28, 2016 will bring together people with and without disabilities for a morning of racing, walking and fun. Emb(race)® is an opportunity for friends, family and neighbors to come together and learn side by side about diversity in our community.
The event will be held on the campus of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL. The event will feature a Half Marathon, 5K and one-mile family walk and include people of all ages and abilities. Whether participants run, walk, stroll, roll, use a wheelchair or hand cycle, everyone can enter. There will be games for children, live music, food, prizes, awards and much more! All event proceeds will benefit Stand Among Friends' programs and services that support individuals with disabilities. SEE YOU THERE!!!

We love this product for our clients. It's called Flip A Grip and is a handle that can mount on a door frame, or anywhere someone might have a problem maintaining balance. While we install grab bars of all sizes and shapes in bathrooms to aid our clients, these little handles work beautifully in a places where a grab bar is just to big or bulky -- particularly in doorways.

The Flip A Grip is a sturdy handle with a Non-slip, latex free handle that glows in the dark and folds out of the way when not using it. If you or a loved one has trouble with transfers, stairs or walking, the Flip A Grip is the new must-have safety product. Designed by a physical therapist to prevent falls and make it easier and safer to get his patients in and around the house, the Flip A Grip can help you maintain your independence!

Flip A Grip Features:
• Allows for greater mobility and independence within the home
• Attaches easily, securely and fits in spots that ordinary grab bars can't fit
• Folds up to be hidden and out of the way when not in use
• ADA compliant and meets ASTM specification 446-85
• Has capacity to handle both push and pull forces
• Non slip grip glows in the dark

We were at today's fundraising
event for special needs kids,
Iwalkforfriendship, at Pine
Trails Park, Parkland. It was
a fun, upbeat event for all.

Another bathroom completed for an older couple wanting to age in place. Project involved tub and step shower removal, installation of comfort height toilet, double vanity with levered faucets and grab bars