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Plan to Live In Your Home A Lifetime
with Universal Design

===::===
Most homeowners plan to live independently in their homes for as long as possible. As a homeowner,
have you considered preparing your home to maintain future independence in your senior years?
Homeowners usually build or remodel their homes for convenience and comfort. As life moves
forward and needs change, can your home be easily modified for changing lifestyle needs? As we
age, our home may become a safety risk if we don't take preventative action to set up our homes to
live in them for a lifetime.
A home assessment is the first place to start. Here are a few features that allow for easy transition for
comfortable living through all stages of life:


Entrances and exits should be covered and step-less. Existing steps are modified with
handrails or ramp.



Doorways are at least 32" - 36" wide including closets and bathrooms.



Walk in shower with low or zero threshold. Built-in seat allowing accessible reach to faucet.

Reinforced walls around toilet and shower for future addition of decorative safety bars.


Install ADA commodes which are higher than standard commodes for easier transitions from
sit to stand. (This feature would not be appropriate for young children)



Keep home free of clutter. Pathways around home are wide with no obstacles.



Good lighting in all rooms, including natural light and night lights in hallways, bedroom,
bathroom and kitchen.



Lever doorknobs and faucets on all plumbing fixtures.



Bathroom vanity and kitchen sinks that are open underneath.



Raised dishwasher, pull-out shelves in kitchen and bathroom, visible kitchen cabinet storage.



Drawer pulls instead of knobs on cabinets.

These features of Universal Design offer an approach that allows people of all sizes, ages or abilities
to live in a home that promotes their health, safety and independence today, and in the future.
Universal Design has been around for a number of years. With the fifty- plus age population
escalating, it is one of the latest trends in building and remodeling. It can enhance the overall quality
of life not just for you, but for those living around you. Most importantly, these Universal Design
features in your home can be designed to flow and compliment your home's style.
Preparing and designing your home for the future does not mean your home needs to look
institutional. Universal Design principles can be aesthetically pleasing and customized to meet your

individual, current and future needs. It is never too early to start thinking about an accessible,
universal, or easy living home. Many homeowners leave it too late to consider universal design, safety
and accessibility.
Often, by the time they realize they need to make major changes to their living arrangements, the
thought of remodeling and redesigning their home is too overwhelming. They then struggle to get
around safely in

their own

home and wish

they

started

the

had

process

earlier in life. Be

wise

the

decisions

you make

your

home and

it,

renovate

about
build

it, or modify it to

last

lifetime.

Contact Us
NARI Greater Dallas
101 West McDermott, Suite 108
Allen, TX 75013
214-943-6274
Fax: 214-594-9695
Email: info@naridallas.org
http://www.naridallas.org/

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