Melanie Horn Mallers, a Professor of Gerontolgy at Cal State Fullerton joined Dean today to discuss how you can change your home as you age in the same place.
Here are tips they shared:
1. Entering Home
• Outdoor ramp with gradual incline integrated into exterior home design
• Covered porch providing protection from the elements
• 42 inch wide entry door with a half inch beveled door threshold
• Five by five foot open area at either side of the entry door
2. General Floor Plan
• Single floor living
• All hallways are 48 inches wide
• All interior doors and passageways accessing a major room are 36 inches wide
• All interior doors called out to have levered handles
• Optional basement - Stair risers are 6 1/2" high for easier stepping and stair width is 3'-6" to enable a future straight rail stairlift
3. Master Bath
• One lavatory sink countertop lowered and open underneath for assisted mobility
• Large curbless walk-in shower
• Glass shower enclosure can be removed and replaced with a curtain rod for easier transfer to a shower seat
• Soaking tub set into a platform allowing one to sit and rotate into the tub vs. stepping into the tub
• Comfort height toilet seats (17 inches vs. standard 15 inches)
• Structural backing called out on drawings for future grab bar locations
• Universal Design
4. Kitchen
• Built-in oven at countertop height for easier food transfer
• Microwave oven located in built-in lower cabinet for easier food transfer
• Sink and cooktop can be retrofitted to be open underneath for assisted mobility
• Roll-out shelves in pantry and lower cabinets
• All cabinet hardware called out is easy-to-grip handles
5. Garage
• Garage large enough to accommodate accessible ramp
• Garage ceiling height allows for retrofitting to a 9 foot height garage door for accessible van with a higher than normal cab
For more information, please listen here:
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