seniors: Articles tagged with “seniors”

Q: I was told to always check references when looking at contractors to do home improvements. But I wonder if it's worth the trouble when I know the contractor is going to hand pick the references. Is reference checking effective?

Every homeowner can use help with all the little things that need maintaining around the home. Seniors are no exception. Below are some suggestions for finding help with those chores that are just out of your realm.

These ramp codes can help answer and clarify questions about Wheelchair Access Ramps.

Before World War II, homes in this country were built one at a time. Afterwards, pent-up demand inspired builders to mass-produce homes and standardize design details. To get those designs just right, builders looked for ergonomic data -- information about how the human body moves and how much space is needed to comfortably perform daily tasks. They discovered that the military had lots of such data: after all, it needed exactly this kind of information to properly build tanks, ships and submarines.

Before World War Two, most homes were built one or two at a time, with each home being built to meet the unique needs of the family it was intended for. After the war, builders met the huge demand for housing by rolling out large subdivisions of standardized homes. The builders wanted to build rooms that met the ergonomic needs of the typical adult.

Q: My mother has a hip problem which is starting to make it difficult for her to get around. I expect that eventually she'll be restricted to a wheel chair. Most of her house would be navigable by wheel chair, but I'm concerned about the bathroom. Where can I get good unbiased information on bathroom design for someone in her circumstances?

Our houses are full of steps: steps up to the front door, steps down to the basement, steps up to the bedrooms, steps everywhere! Strange how those steps seem to get a little steeper and a little higher with each passing decade!

Here are some common remodeling projects to make areas more accessible to people with difficulty walking or in wheelchairs:

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires public accommodations to be equal with accommodations for the rest of the general public. ADA has established priorities. The first of these is to make entryways barrier-free, in order to provide easy access entryways on the path of travel, into facilities and rooms of accommodation.

In remodeling a home, it is important to consider the needs of anyone in the household who may be disabled. Designing for accessibility can make it much easier to carry out routine activities around the home.

Elevators and well-constructed and maintained ramps allow for independent use by persons who use wheelchairs or scooters, and by others who cannot use stairs. They are also used by the general public, easing the way for those with children in strollers or with shopping carts.

Designing the interior of a home is critical for accessibility, especially the kitchen and bath areas. Wheelchair accessibility issues should be emphasized within these areas.

Most homes today are designed for young adults and don't have the features and conveniences to make them appropriate and safe for seniors. Our homes are one of the most important factors in determining how long we can maintain comfortable independence. A well adapted home will make many day-to-day living tasks both easier and safer-often preventing the most common kinds of accidents.