Power of Design on Aging in Place
Okay enough blogging about Wellness. Design tips for the month are about Aging in Place. As many know over 90% of the American population over the age of 50 want to continue to live in their homes as long as possible which designers refer to as Aging in Place.
In order to Age in Place successfully we need to be prepared and face the inevitable. The only constant thing in life is actually 'change'. Change is inevitable. In a life cycle change is inevitable. Everybody's life cycle is different. There is no one life cycle the same as another. There is no average, no one pattern fits all. We have no guarantee based on age. Just because one is 10 does not mean that they can walk. The average person can expect to experience a disability at some point in their life. Sometimes the disability is temporary like a broken bone or a sprain. Other times it can be permanent. It is inevitable and sometimes abrupt.
Aging is just one component of the a life cycle. Age is not just a number. Life cycle looks at factors beyond a number. It brings in factors of health and well being. Expectations about aging have changed. Americans are determined to live lives filled with vitality and meaning. Physical ability and age does not have to be included in our definition of vitality and meaning.
Products and environments either create people with disabilities or empower them. People are not disabled by their physical or mental differences as all of us have different physical and mental abilities. We are only disabled when we can't do what we want to do much like a car that does not have the right parts. This is the power of design. Designing environments and products for function as well as aesthetics is called "universal design" and allows for all people (no matter the age or ability) to age in place.
We need to be prepared and know the strategies to remain at home:
In order to Age in Place successfully we need to be prepared and face the inevitable. The only constant thing in life is actually 'change'. Change is inevitable. In a life cycle change is inevitable. Everybody's life cycle is different. There is no one life cycle the same as another. There is no average, no one pattern fits all. We have no guarantee based on age. Just because one is 10 does not mean that they can walk. The average person can expect to experience a disability at some point in their life. Sometimes the disability is temporary like a broken bone or a sprain. Other times it can be permanent. It is inevitable and sometimes abrupt.
Aging is just one component of the a life cycle. Age is not just a number. Life cycle looks at factors beyond a number. It brings in factors of health and well being. Expectations about aging have changed. Americans are determined to live lives filled with vitality and meaning. Physical ability and age does not have to be included in our definition of vitality and meaning.
Products and environments either create people with disabilities or empower them. People are not disabled by their physical or mental differences as all of us have different physical and mental abilities. We are only disabled when we can't do what we want to do much like a car that does not have the right parts. This is the power of design. Designing environments and products for function as well as aesthetics is called "universal design" and allows for all people (no matter the age or ability) to age in place.
We need to be prepared and know the strategies to remain at home:
- Financial
- Legal
- Transportation
- Health
- Social
- Technology
- Home Assessment
- Financial: Checking out long term insurance options and not relying on government assistance to pitch in as it may not be available. On the other hand it also means knowing what type of programs are available if you are a veternan, single parent, senior, etc.
- Legal: make legal preparations for independence wills, trusts, estate planning, long term care, government regulations and power of attorneys
- Plan on transporation needs now for the future. Imagine if you could not operate a car tomorrow. How would you get around? Friends, family, taxis, buses, trains or special transportation programs.
- Health: Live a healthy livestyle. Eat right and exercise. Get those regular checkups. Brush your teeth. There is an online age calculator which shows that taking good care of your teeth can add additional five healthy years to your life.
- Social: Keep your networking active. Make new friends. As we live in a mobile society people come and go. Family members live far and wide. It is necessary to keep adding to your social circle. Join a club, learn something new, pursue a hobby, say hi to people.
- Technology: Become familiar with technology. Don't believe for one second that an old dog cannot learn a new trick. In fact an old dog make actually invent a new trick. Do not be intimated by technology. When the light bulb first came out would you have been a person who embraced it or sat in the dark? We do not need to know how the computer works anymore than how electricity works we just need to flip the switch.
- Home Assessment: The most important rooms in a home for aging in place are the entry, the kitchen and the bathroom. The entry because no matter what our ability we need to get into our house and the bathroom for obvious reasons. The kitchen is the last on the list but is still important in order to make meals. However, if our abilities are decreased we can always have someone cook for us or have food delivered. We cannnot however replace the independence of toilieting ourselves as easily. Features that AARP Survey Findings reported that are required for people to age in place:
- Safety features like non slip floors
- Grab bars
- Front entrance without steps (think of showers as well)
- Wider doorways
- Lever handled doorknobs
- Higher electrical outlets
- Lower electrical switches
Look for a recognized professional to help with doing an assessment of our home to determine needs and all options. Professional of choice are those who are recognized through certification programs requiring continuing education and experience. For kitchen and bath design select a professional who is part of NKBA (National Kitchen and Bath Association). National Association of Home Builders have a certification program for professionals who are certified as CAPS (Certified Aging in Place Specialist). All states have a certification program for designers. Look for designers who hold a CID (Certified Interior Designer) designation.
As a CAPS, CID and NKBA member I know the amount of education, experience and training required. You can check the NKBA, CID and NAHB to verify a certification from a professional.
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