Archive for Chris Moore

Most of the traditional homes and public places where we go about our day to day lives have been designed to accommodate what would be considered an average person. Everything from the height of light switches and counter tops to the size and shape of doorknobs has developed over time as standard practice in the building industry. I have been writing in this column about home modifications when some of these configurations are inconvenient or completely unworkable for people with different abilities and mobility needs. This month I am going to switch gears a little bit and write about designing a home that can be used comfortably by just about everyone. The idea that we can design a home that can be used by children or adults, people with various handicaps, those recovering from illness or injury, people who are smaller or larger than average or those with restricted mobility, is called Universal Design. Universal Design can be defined as the design of products and environments to be usable to the greatest extent possible by people of all ages and abilities. The idea is to design homes that are universally workable by all people so that modifications will not be needed as you age or through circumstances such as injury or illness.  Many of these design elements use standard products or materials. There are many new products coming out almost daily that use technology to help elderly people live more independent lives in their own homes. There are seven principles of Universal Design. Following these principles when designing a new home or remodeling an existing home will result in the space being more useful and comfortable to a wide range of people. The principles are: Equitable Use – The design is useful to people with different abilities. Flexibility in Use – The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities. Simple and Intuitive Use – Use of the design is easy to understand. Perceptible Information – The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user. Tolerance for Error – The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions. Low Physical Effort – The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue. Size and Space for Approach and Use – Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation and use. All of these principles should apply regardless of a person’s experience, knowledge, sensory abilities, body size, posture, mobility, or other conditions. In short, a house designed using these principles would be “user friendly”. Some examples of these principles in action would be entryways with no steps and motion sensor lighting, curbless showers, elevated or adjustable height toilets, and grab bars in bathrooms, and varied or adjustable counters, and front mounted controls and knee spaces under cook tops and sinks in kitchens. Using 3’ wide doors and 4’ wide hallways throughout a home costs almost nothing when building a new home but can make all the difference in the world later if you find yourself navigating the home in a wheelchair. Some design elements anticipate future changes. For example, in a two story home, if you stack two closets directly above each other with a removable floor and rough in the wiring it would be very easy to add an elevator later if the need arises. Many of these designs can be integrated very easily into a new home and make your life easier for years to come. For more information on Universal Design or other housing matters call me at 540-384-2064 or Email cmoore@solidrockenterprises.com.

As the baby boomers near retirement age (the first boomers turn 65 in 2011) more and more people are considering their housing options. An increasingly popular idea in housing is the idea of Aging in Place which simply means staying in your current home as you age rather than moving to some type of retirement community. A large majority of people would prefer to stay in their homes rather than move.  According to the Clarity 2007 Aging in Place Study by Prince Market Research “89% of senior respondents say that aging in place is very important but 53% were concerned about their ability to do so.” The fact is that due to preference or necessity, the vast majority of us do stay in our homes as we age.  The Journal of Housing for the Elderly has estimated that 70% of baby boomers will spend the rest of their lives in the place where they will spend their 65th birthday. Most of us have pleasant memories associated with our homes and the idea of having to give up our homes because of an inability to live independently can be devastating. Another study shows that over 70% of 55+ households live in communities that are neither age qualified nor occupied mostly by people over age 55. Most of these communities consist of older homes that were typically not designed or built with the needs of senior citizens in mind. What’s the solution then? While there is now an awareness of the value of building homes incorporating the principles of Universal Design which seeks to design and build homes to be usable by all people to the greatest extent possible without the need for adaptation, (I’ll explain more about Universal Design in my next column) most of us are now living in homes that weren’t built with these principles in mind. Home modification and remodeling can make your home more comfortable and enjoyable to you as you age. And while these accommodations are always easier and less costly to incorporate into a home when it’s first built, you may be surprised at how simple and affordable some of these changes can be. In order to determine what changes can be made to your home you need to consider not only your current health and capacity but look forward at how they are likely to change as you age.  Here are some of the major items to look for to make your home more accessible. At least one bedroom and one bathroom on the first floor. An entryway that is accessible with no steps that has no threshold or a low threshold and is protected from the weather. Lever style door handles. No changes in levels on the main floor. Bright lighting in all areas. A low maintenance exterior. Non slip flooring, especially at the main entryway. An open floor plan, especially in the kitchen and dining area. Handrails at all steps and grab bars in bathrooms and as needed. Solid Rock Enterprises, Inc. has the expertise and experience to assess your home and make whatever changes are necessary to make your life more comfortable and enjoyable as you Age in Place. Please get in touch with us to get a free Personalized Housing Needs Assessment.  You can reach us by phone at 540-384-2064, email at cmoore@solidrockenterprises.com or log on to our website at www.solidrockenterprises.com

This is the first edition of Housing Matters, which will appear here in Senior News and address matters of housing, especially as they relate to seniors and the aging process. My name is Chris Moore. I am the founder and president of Solid Rock Enterprises, Inc., a Class A contractor located in Salem. I have over 23 years of experience in the housing industry and I will bring this experience and perspective into play as I write this column. I hope to address the questions and concerns that many of you have about housing in this column.  I will look at how housing needs change as we age and how we can modify our homes to be more convenient to us as we age. A lot has changed in housing over the years. For years the average size of new homes got larger and larger, but recently, due primarily to economic reasons, smaller homes are again in demand.  Many people downsize from the home they raised their children in to one that is more suited to a smaller family.  Many older homes are designed with narrow hallways, steep stairs, and small kitchens and bathrooms that are difficult to navigate.  I’ll talk about designing spaces that are universally accessible.  I’ll talk about some of the questions and concerns you may have if you decide to remodel, and how to make the process as smooth as possible. I’d like to hear your questions and concerns about housing matters, and what matters to you. In this initial column, I will address some of the common housing concerns that many people have as they age and some of the solutions that are available to address these concerns. Many of us face decreasing mobility as we age. The homes we have lived in for years and in which we have created many wonderful memories now create barriers to our daily lives. Maybe you’re thinking of downsizing and you want to make sure that your new home will meet your needs for many years to come. Whether you’re contemplating staying in your current home or a making a change there are many things you can do to make your life more comfortable and enjoyable. For many elderly people, the option to stay home simply involves some changes to your routine and environment. There are many organizations that offer in home services that range from nursing care to errands but many times your home itself needs to be modified in order to meet your changing needs. The addition of ramps or lifts can make access to different levels of your home easier. Widening doorways and hallways can make getting around more practical and safer. Some of the biggest changes are often centered in the kitchen and bathroom. Making these areas safer and more accessible can often mean the difference between a home that works for you and one that does not. Grab bars can be located where needed for safety and confidence throughout the house. I would be delighted to meet with you or your loved one in your home to perform a Housing Needs Assessment. During this assessment I will take the time to talk with you and determine how we can improve your quality of life by making modifications to your home. I will present you with a comprehensive proposal to make the changes needed so that your home will serve your needs for many years to come. Just call 540-384-2064 or log on to  www.solidrockenterprises.com for more information or to make an appointment. By Chris Moore