Gerontologic, Aging in Place, Universal, Inclusive, Accessible, Visitability and ADA?

Design is powerful and profoundly influences our daily lives and our sense of confidence, comfort, and control. It is important to understand the various design buzz words that are floating in the media and the design field these days.

In looking at the methods of design that refer to designing spaces that fit people's needs there is gerontologic, aging in place, universal, inclusive, accessible, visitability and ADA. There are differences between these various types of design.

Gerontologic and Aging in Place addresses the issues of geriatrics (elderly). It is an environmental design approach to address or prevent medical problems. The preventive design approach is "Aging in Place" and the response design approach is termed "Gerontologic". The Gerontologic approach is most often implemented by occupational therapists to install assistive devices to allow an individual to function within their home. Gerontologic design helps people make their home safer and more accessible but not generally beautiful. As the lifespan of humans have extended to 85+ years the need for assistive devices has become more necessary. However this type of design makes aging seem like a disease. Aging is not a disease. Variation in human ability is ordinary, not special, and affects most of us for some part of our lives.

Which is why the more proactive approach to design is Aging in Place. This type of design focuses on incorporating spaces to handle individuals that may require supportive environments but does so beautifully. The NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) has developed a CAPS program to train builders and designers to be Certified Aging in Place Specialists. The course is designed to enhance the knowledge of those professionals who already have the skills and background to incorporate aging in place features into a remodel or new construction home. Aging in Place is is reported through the media with announcements of AARP surveys that indicate more than 89% of 50-plus American plan intend to remain in their own homes as long as they possibly can. This information coupled with the fact that by 2012, 40% of all U.S. households will be 55 or older. The huge jump in the over 65 population in America will occur from 2010 to 2030 when the Baby-boom generation (people born between 1946-1964) reach the age of 65. At this point, one out of every five people in the nation will be an older adult.

Aging in Place is often used synonymously with Universal Design. These two design methods are closely related. Aging in Place is an environmental intervention in response to the medical model of aging. Universal design is providing designs that can be used by people of all ages, sizes and abilities to live better.

The term Universal Design was coined by Ron Mace in the 1980s who established the Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University. Ron Mace defines Universal design as "design for all people that incorporates products as well as building features and elements which, to the greatest extent possible, can be used by everyone." There are seven basic principles of design that you can review by visiting the Center for Universal Designs website.

Universal Design is also called Inclusive Design (in the U.K.), Design-for-All and Lifespan Design. It is a design process that starts with a responsibility to the user rather than a design design style.

Accessible and ADA design methods are code specific requirements for only specific buildings and environments. They are codes and standards that are aimed at benefiting a certain population. ADA Accessibility Guidelines are issued by the Federal government. Unfortunately, the design solutions that are required do not meet all disability requirements. Wall hung drinking fountains were required to meet ADA codes. It became apparent that the drinking fountains were beneficial for wheelchair access they were a hazard for people with vision challenges who used canes. As the drinking fountains were hung above ground the canes could not detect their presence creating a hazard. ADA is one of the best things to have occurred. Now design solutions that allow accessibility previous denied to others are required. It is unfortunate that they had to be regulated and that businesses, cities, etc. did not voluntarily implement changes as needed. However, the downside of ADA is that it can limit the implementation of solutions by some codes and code enforcers. ADA guidelines are mandated only in public buildings and federally subsidized housing only.

Which leads to the Visitability home: a Visitability Home is one that is built for the open market not specifically for people with disabilities with a few specific features. Visitability movement was founded by Eleanor Smith's and her organization Concrete Change. The Visitability goal is to have all new home construction incorporate three key universal design features into every home:

1. One zero-step entrance, at the front, back or side of the house
2. All main floor doors, including bathrooms, with at least 32 inches of clear passage space
3. At least a half bath, preferably a full bath, on the main floor.

Several local building codes have adopted codes and regulations requiring the above three features into all new homes built.

In the 1980's a buzz word was generated in the workplace environment called 'ergonomics'. Companies began to invest in chairs and desks that would benefit the worker. Manufacturers began to look at the human body and what support equipment and designs to benefit the individual worker.

The big question is why have we not approached designing homes to fit individuals. Winston Churchill addressed our history of home design in his quote "First we shape our houses, then they shape us.” The average home is built for a 29 year old, 6 ft tall male.

The aging of 78 million boomers means that demand will grow quickly for homes that are easy to navigate, especially because some 80 percent of people age 55-plus say they want to grow old in their own homes. A significant number of those homes—some studies suggest one in four of all houses—will at some point have a resident with a long-term severe mobility impairment. Since the price of modifying a home runs about eight times what it costs a builder to incorporate easy-access design at the outset

It is time to change our approach to designing homes. We need to design well. Designing well means allowing people to visit our homes, having our environment grow and change with us, providing individuals with the sense of safety, beauty, comfort and well being. I believe that Universal design should be the blue print for all homes.

Seven Principles of Universal Design http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/

AARP offers a free Home Modification Booklet http://www.arp.org

Join Concrete Change: Visitability Home http://www.concretechange.org/

I am listed on the NAHB Certified Aging in Place Specialist Directory. To find other CAPS in your area: http://www.nahb.org/directory_list.aspx?sectionID=1391&directoryID=1415&20438=954&proximityLimit=50

For more information about my design services in the Sacramento, California area check out my website at www.agelessdesigns.net