Building or Remodeling a Farmhouse for a Lifetime of Living

1
Building or Remodeling a Farmhouse for a
Lifetime of Living
2
Universal Design

• Universal design is the design of products and
  environments to be usable by all people, to the
  greatest extent possible, without the need for
  adaptation or specialized design.
• Ron Mace

3
Definitions

• Accessible Design usable by people with
  disabilities
• Universal Design appealing usable by all
  people, including people with disabilities
• Visit-Able Design essential features of
  universal design

4
Universal Design for Better Living Program

• Situation People want to age in place but
  homes not designed for changing needs
• Purpose Universal design can facilitate aging
  in place
• Funding Iowa Department of Elder Affairs

5
Program Components

• Gadget Kits
• Display Trailers
• Web Site Universal Design Home Accessibility
• Teaching Guides

6
Five Lessons

• Universal Design Better Tools for Everyday
  Tasks
• The Easy-Visiting Home
• The Essential Bathroom
• Update Your Home for a Lifetime of Living
• Planning a Community Event

7
Lesson Components

• Background readings
• Teaching materials
• Activities
• PowerPoint presentations
• Handouts
• Set mini-goals
• Participant evaluations
• Instructor feedback

8
The Easy-Visiting Home
9
Start with the Basics (Easy-Visiting or
Visit-ability)

• Can visitors get in the house?
• Can visitors get through the doorways?
• Can visitors use the bathroom?

10
Benefits of no-step entrances

• Easy to carry groceries
• Easy to push a baby stroller
• Easy to move furniture
• Easy to visit

11
Easy-visiting entrance
12
A ramp is an ugly solution
13
A home with a no-step entrance can be beautiful
(And look like any other home in the neighborhood)
14
(No Transcript)
15
(No Transcript)
16
No-step entrance
17
Lighting above address
Lever door hardware
Doorbell with light
No-step entry
18
Threshold transition less than ½
Non-slip flooring
19
What about no-step entrances on challenging sites?
20
Let car climb steep driveway to no-step porch
entry
21
A bridge can stretch across a ditch
22
What about remodeling an older home?
23
Before 1870s house with steps
24
After 1870s house with no-step entrance
25
Low-cost access in rural Iowa
After No steps
Before Steps
26
Full-sized bath on main level
27
An Easy-Visiting Bathroom

• This

• Not this

Impossible for wheelchair users
Spacious for family guests
28
The Essential Bathroom
29
Start with full-size bathroom on main level
30
Essential Features (universal design features)

• Open floor space (5-foot turning circle)
• 32 inch doorway (preferably 36)
• Shower (usually) or tub

31
Open floor space wide doorways

• This

• Not this

Impossible for wheelchair users
Spacious for family guests
32
Shower (36 x 36)

• Shower usually more convenient than tub
• 36 x 36 size -- easy to reach controls from
  seated position
• Can sit or stand to shower

Adjustable shower head
Removable seat
33
Bathtub Alternative

• Hand-held adjustable shower head
• Faucet controls off-set for easy reaching from
  outside tub
• Anti-scald controls

34
The Extras

• Other universal design features to add
  convenience and comfort

35
The Extras

• Lowered mirror
• Non-slip flooring
• Removable base cabinet front
• Continuous flooring under lavatory
• Raised toilet

36
The Sink

• Color contrast between counter sink
• Single-lever faucet
• Large, low mirror
• Low energy nightlight

37
Gadgets Gizmos

• Easy-change toilet tissue holder

• Shampoo soap dispenser

38
Plan for the future

• By including universal design features now, you
  wont be forced to move or remodel if needs
  change in future.

39
Convenient nowand in future
Open knee space for seated users
40
Open knee space under counter

• Convenient for wheelchair
  or seated users
• Electronic faucet
  no handles to turn
• Large, low mirror
• Lighting from top to
  bottom

41
Grab bars can be added later

• Fold-down grab bar

Grab bar in vertical position ?
42
Remodeling an existing bathroom for wheelchair
users

• Tub with transfer seating area
• Transfer shower (36 x 36)
• Tub replacement shower (36 x 60)
• Roll-in shower (60 x 60)

43
Electronic toilet seat lifter

• No remodeling required
• Remove existing toilet seat bolt on lifter
• Plug into electrical outlet
• Push button to raise lower seat

44
Update Your Home for a Lifetime of Living
45
Can your home pass 3 tests?

• Easy-visiting
• Easy-living
• Easy on the budget

46
1. Easy-visiting test

• No-step entrance
• Full-sized bathroom on main level
• Bedroom on main level

47
Easy-visiting entrance
48
New entrance

• No steps
• Covered entry
• Package shelf
• Lever handles
• Motion lights
• Chair for resting

49
Remodeled entrance
Front entrance with steps
Side entrance no steps
50
Easy-Visiting Bathroom

• This

• Not this

Impossible for wheelchair users
Spacious for family guests
51
Full-sized bath on main level
52
Bedroom on main level

• Convenient for guests
• Place to recuperate after an illness
• Future main bedroom if steps become problem

53
2. Easy-living test

• Space for activities
• Safety and security
• Convenience and comfort

54
Plan quality space for hobbies
Art room for active artist

• Seated work area
• Extra storage space
• Good lighting
• Clean-up sink

55
Plan for security and safety

• Power-failure lights
• Smoke detectors
• Carbon monoxide detectors
• Motion-detector lighting
• Security system

56
Plan for convenience comfort

• Light switches at waist level
• Rocker switches

57
Doors

• 36 in wide
• Lever handles

58
Laundry Room

• Laundry on main floor
• Raised access laundry
• Front loading machines
• Built-in ironing board

59
Garage Entrance

• Handrails on both sides of steps
• Extended handrail at top and bottom of stairs
• Shoe bench near garage

60
3. Easy on the budget

• Home energy audit
• Energy Star appliances
• Energy-efficient replacement windows
• Passive solar (new windows on south)

61

• Universal design invites a lifetime of living

62
Learn more about universal design

• Iowa State University Extension Web Site on
  Universal Design Home Accessibility
• www.extension.iastate.edu/universaldesign
• Visit Universal Design Learning Lab on ISU
  campus
• Call 515-294-6568 to make appointment

63
Teaching Tips

• Computer access is essential
• All materials available on Web site
• www.extension.iastate.edu/universaldesign
• Gadget kits available from Area Agencies on Aging
  or selected ISU Extension offices
• Adapt lessons to suit your needs
• Ask questions
• Send feedback

64
Planning a Community Event

• Universal Design Display Trailers
• Bathroom Trailer (2 bathrooms)
• Kitchen Trailer (kitchen prototype modules)

65
Contact

• Mary H. Yearns
• Extension Housing Specialist
• Iowa State University
• Ames, IA 50011
• 515-294-8520
• yearns_at_iastate.edu
• www.extension.iastate.edu/universaldesign