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When Does Someone Begin To Age In Place? Perhaps Its Not About The Years.

7/15/2011

 
Curbless Shower that provides accessibility
This recent project features a beautiful shower with a curbless entry.
I was talking with a design associate about how Baby Boomers and their parents resist this design concept of making their homes more accessible so that they can choose to remain in a place of their choosing for as long as it is possible.  Clients of mine have put up road blocks when I start talking about "their age" and how homes can be more accommodating if certain features were changed.  One client told me who is approaching the big 6-0 that old for her was her parents who are well in their eighties. It was interesting to note that she doesn't consider that she will be getting old until she hits 70.  That's her benchmark.

But what I started to think about during my call with my colleague is that this concept of making changes to ones home or place of work to accommodate the physical changes that naturally occur in our body should be less about age and more about adapting to ability.  Wow... something that I knew as a specialist but it was like a knock on the side of the head. This aging in place thing certainly applies to baby boomers who are thinking about their future but the truth is:  Its Much 
More About Independence and doing all the things to one's domicile that permit one to consider that living in a place of one's choosing should always be at the top of the list. 

Here is a quote that I read somewhere and wanted to share that tells it like it is: We are all aging all the time, and accessibility needs aren’t dictated by one’s years – it’s dictated by one’s abilities.

So I'm looking for ways to describe the concepts and ideas of creating places that are safe spaces without resorting to terms like aging in place nor even universal design.  Would it be :  LifeTime Design?  Freedom Homes?  Choice Design Selection? Accessible Interiors?  Anyway, what are your thoughts?  There should be a name that makes this idea of accessible much more sexy.  

Your Comments?

Thelma Hunt
7/16/2011 11:13:56 am

age is really just a state of mind. Now if I can only remember what state I am in. Great post but you are right this age in place thing needs a better name.


Comments are closed.
    Michael A. Thomas, FASID, interior designer in Phoenix, AZ
    Michael A. Thomas, FASID

    Welcome To This Boomer's Design Blog!

    Michael A. Thomas, FASID is an author, writer and interior designer who as a caregiver developed a passion for creating homes without barriers, maximizing the independence of his clients and having a little fun along the way.  
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    Feel free to contribute your thoughts in this blog.
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    Co-Author: Residential Design For Aging In Place.  To learn more, CLICK HERE. 


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