Universal Design: Creating Homes for All Ages and Abilities
When we talk about Universal Design, Most 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 countertops to the size and shape of doorknobs has developed over time as standard practice in the building industry. Here at Senior Remodeling Experts, we often perform home modifications when some of these configurations are inconvenient or completely unworkable for people with different abilities and mobility needs. Introducing Universal Design A more proactive approach is designing and building a home that can be used comfortably by just about everyone. The idea that we can create 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. Many new products are coming out almost daily that use technology to help elderly people live more independent lives in their own homes. The 7 Principles of Universal Design There are seven principles of Universal Design. Following these principles when designing a new home or remodeling an existing one will make the space more useful and comfortable for a wide range of people. The principles are: 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.” Universal Design in Action Some examples of these principles in action would be: 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. These proactive design choices not only improve accessibility but also increase the overall value and marketability of your home. By incorporating Universal Design elements from the start, you create a living space that’s adaptable to changing needs, whether due to aging, injury, or simply evolving lifestyle preferences. This forward-thinking approach can save significant time, money, and stress in the long run, eliminating the need for costly renovations or the possibility of having to move to a more suitable home later in life. 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. The Growing Importance I emphasize the fact that Universal Design benefits everyone by making our homes more user-friendly for all of us. I think it’s slowly starting to sink in. I am starting to see references to aging in place and Universal Design in more mainstream publications and websites. I was recently reading an article on the website of Builder magazine which pointed out that the first generation to grow up in the suburbs is now finding their homes no longer fit their needs. This realization is driving a shift in how we think about home design and functionality. As our population ages and people live longer, the demand for adaptable living spaces is increasing. Universal Design principles are becoming essential not just for seniors, but for families with young children, individuals with temporary injuries, and anyone who values convenience and ease of use in their home environment. This approach to design is proving to be a forward-thinking solution that addresses the evolving needs of our diverse society. The villages movement, which helps seniors band together to help meet each other’s needs, is growing by leaps and bounds. More and more architects, builders, and homeowners are seeing the value of creating homes that will serve us throughout the course of our lives. Key Features As more and more people realize the value of Universal Design, I thought it would be helpful to reiterate some of the features and benefits of Universal Design. These are areas to keep in mind if you are considering building or remodeling anytime in the near future: While this list is by no means comprehensive, it is a good starting point in creating a home that will work for us throughout our lives. For more information about Aging in Place or Universal Design, please get in touch with us.
New Beginnings, Part Two
It is February, the shortest month of the year. The days are short, and the nights are long. Many of the New Year’s resolutions we made so expectantly lay shattered and broken along the roadside. It is an easy time to get discouraged and feel defeated. The hope and joy of spring’s new life seems a long way off. My goal in this article is to breathe hope and belief in new beginnings into your February. Why should January get all the new beginnings? Every day you get out of bed, you have the opportunity to create a new beginning. No matter what you have been through, you can reshape your experience by your attitude. Life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you respond to life’s events. If you are feeling down and discouraged, try counting your blessings. Look around you for things you have to be thankful for and focus on these things rather than those areas that you are discouraged or sad about. Remember that the darkest hour is just before the dawn. In my life, I have much to be thankful for. In my professional life I have the privilege of helping people live safely and comfortably in their own homes throughout the course of their lives. In partnership with occupational therapist Carrie Ferguson, I am launching a new, more comprehensive home safety and accessibility assessment service. This assessment will help people to plan proactively to age in place in the homes they love. More details on this service coming in Housing Matters next month. In my personal life I am thankful for family and friends. I have wonderful children and grandchildren that bring me great joy. After walking through the valley of the shadow of death after losing my wife Barbara to lung cancer in July of 2022, I have had the privilege to marry Michelle who is beautiful inside and out and loves me with all of her heart. Just as spring follows winter, there can be love and new beginnings after loss. I saw a quote that states,” Mostly it is loss that teaches us about the worth of things.” I have found this to be true in my own life. If you or someone you know has been widowed, I would like to extend an invitation to attend our widowed person support group. We meet the second and fourth Mondays at 5:30 pm at Good Samaritan Hospice at 2408 Electric Rd SW Roanoke VA 24018.For more information visit Roanoke Archives – Widowed Village or Roanoke Widowed Persons Meetup Group Events Call me at 540-556-0650 to RSVP or if you have questions. I also will be exhibiting and speaking at the Roanoke Home and Garden Show. The show will be held February 16-18 at the Berglund Center. For more information visit Greater Roanoke — Home and Garden Shows (showtechnology.com) I will be speaking on the subject of “Through the Years – A Contractor’s Journey” on Friday and Saturday at 4:00 pm and Sunday at 2:45. I will be telling stories about some of the memorable projects that I have been privileged to undertake over the course of my nearly 40-year career in construction. Many of you have been reading my column for years and I would love to be able to meet you in person. Admission is free, so come on down! Remember that there is no time like the present to make a new beginning in any area of your life. If you need help in any of the areas mentioned in this article or need help with a home modification or home improvement project, give me a call at 540-556-0650. I would love to help. Here’s to new beginnings!
Are You Lonely this Christmas?
Christmas time is a wonderful time of year. The sights, sounds, smells, and tastes often bring back wonderful memories. The wonder in children’s eyes and gathering with family and friends to celebrate the season can be delightful, joyful, and whimsical. I really love Christmas, and everything involved with it. I believe that it is important to remember that the whole reason we observe Christmas is to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I think we should take time to slow down this Christmas season and appreciate all of the gifts and blessings in our lives. At the same time, I recognize that for many people, it is the very fact that this is a joyous time of year that makes it so difficult. For seniors living alone, loneliness and social isolation can be extra painful this time of year. Seeing others enjoying time with family and friends can be a stark reminder of loved ones that have passed on or simply cannot or will not visit. If you have family members you have not seen in a while, I suggest that Christmas is the perfect time to reach out to them and reestablish the relationship. Life is so short, and the years slip by before you know it. In researching this article, I have found it difficult to come up with a percentage of seniors who live alone. Estimates of those over the age of 65 who live alone range from 28% to 43%. Either way, a significant number of seniors live alone and many of them experience loneliness and social isolation. What I did find was lots of information on the physical and mental health effects of loneliness and social isolation. It turns out that loneliness and social isolation can increase the likelihood of things like stroke, heart attack, and mental health disorders. It can even increase the risk of dementia by 50% and shorten a person’s life expectancy by as much as 15 years! Loneliness and social isolation, especially during the holidays, is a big deal! People all around us are suffering in silence. If you are a senior living alone, I would suggest you reach out to those around you. Invite a friend to come over, get involved at a local senior center, join a church or civic group, or volunteer at a worthy organization. It may seem daunting at first if you are on the shy side, but I believe that you will find it worthwhile. You are likely to feel fulfilled and make lots of new friends. If you know someone who lives alone and needs a friend, take the time to reach out to them this Christmas season. A small gift, a special treat, or just taking the time to visit can make all the difference to a lonely senior. I found several websites where you can send handwritten notes to seniors all over the world. Amazing how a few minutes of your time can brighten someone’s day! Closer to home, Home Instead hosts Be a Santa to a Senior in Roanoke and Lynchburg. There are gift trees at various locations where you can select a bulb with a senior’s name and gift request. These are seniors who would not receive a Christmas gift if it were not for this program. Call Home Instead at 434-385-0321 for more information. Whatever you do, look around you and see if you can brighten someone’s day this Christmas. From all of us at Solid Rock Enterprises, Inc. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Contact Chris to learn more at 540-384-2064 or by email at cmoore@solidrockenterprises.com.
Chris Moore Working with God’s Pit Crew in Kentucky
Chris Moore, founder of Solid Rock Enterprises, is spending time with God’s Pit Crew in Letcher, KY, to help rebuild after a natural disaster hit there earlier this month. They are building a house for a family that went to bed with the stream up to the top of its banks where it had been many times before. They were awakened by water coming into the house. By the time they got out, it was chest high and the house was completely destroyed. Day 1 (March 27, 2023) These photos from Day 1 of work show where they started the day (framing), from getting up walls and sheathing to setting roof trusses. You can even see what looks like a calm stream in the background; that’s the water that rose here. Some siding was added on the first day of work and even framing for a porch and some interior floorwork. Day 2 From Chris on the second day of work: “Today we got shingles installed on the roof, decking and stairs installed on front porch and back deck, siding work continues, and electrical, plumbing, and HVAC rough in’s completed.” Day 3 After three days in Kentucky, the siding is complete, columns on front porch installed, foundation coating in progress, electrical, plumbing, HVAC inspections passed, and insulation installed. Day 4 We finished hanging the drywall, started finishing it, started hanging doors, got most of the electrical outlets and switches installed, completed the front porch railings and trim, graded the yard, planted grass, and got most of the shrubs planted. Day 5 Rained all day, watering our newly planted grass and shrubs. Completely finished the drywall and the finish carpentry. Ready for paint tomorrow. Amazing how much work got done this week! Day 6 Much of the painting was finished and installed most of the cabinets. The appliances were also delivered. Day 8 Yesterday we took the day off in observance of the Lord’s Day. Today we are back at work, continuing the painting and flooring. Countertops and backsplash went in today, shoe molding was in the process of being installed. Vanities, countertops, sinks, and commodes were installed I the bathrooms and water heater and washer and dryer were installed. Furniture arrived and was being assembled. Straw that blew away in the windstorm was replaced, more shrubbery was planted, and pavers were installed at the back deck steps. All in all, a very productive day. Day 9 Finished construction today and started installing furniture. Day 10 Finished! In just 10 short days a completed and decorated house is ready to be presented to a family that lost their home eight months ago. The house will be given to the family tomorrow at 11:00 am. You can see it happen at facebook.com/GodsPitCrew
The Land of Conflicting Emotions
Last year on July 31, my wife died. After 33 years of marriage, and fighting stage 4 lung cancer for 33 weeks, she passed from this world with a smile on her face to meet her eternal reward. On the other hand, I was left here to pick up the pieces. The first days and weeks were a blur of arrangements and decisions against the backdrop of sheer anguish and complete numbness. I could not believe she was gone. I looked around me at the shattered remains of my life and wondered how I would go on. Where would I find the motivation? What purpose did my life have now? All around me, people went about their daily lives as if nothing had happened. When it took every ounce of strength I had to get out of bed in the morning, everybody else was carrying on as normal. Of course, they would, their world hadn’t just crumbled around them. But mine had. I often felt joy that she was no longer in the excruciating pain she had lived with for months, and absolute anguish that I would never again see her smile, or hear her voice, or feel her caress. I was feeling these feelings AT THE SAME TIME. It was very confusing. I came to realize that I now lived in the land of conflicting emotions. Waves of emotions would wash over me, triggered by the smallest and most obscure sights, sounds, smells, and memories. While the height of the waves has subsided somewhat, they continue to pound the shoreline of my soul. I think about what a friend whose son was murdered told me several years ago, “I will never get over it, but I will get through it.” I have been searching for ways to get through it. Walking, swimming, pushups, ballroom dancing lessons, hiking, board games. On Sunday I am going to Kentucky for two weeks with God’s Pit Crew to help build a house for a family whose home was destroyed by a natural disaster. This past weekend I was in Tampa for Camp Widow, an event held by Soaring Spirits International. Walking into a room with over 200 people who are on the same journey of loss and grief that I am was nothing short of transformational. Stories were told, tears were shed, and somehow being around others carrying the same burden made the load a little bit lighter. I came away refreshed and transformed, with fifteen new friends from all over the country. We have a group text and plan to stay connected. I hope that none of you reading this right now are part of this club I find myself a part of. But if you are, please find a community of others who are also members. Lean on each other, cry together, carry each other’s burden, and generally, show up for each other. I recommend it highly. Don’t try to go over, under, or around your grief. The only way through it is to walk through it. I plan to start a local group of widows and widowers to provide a safe place to walk through this valley together. If you or someone you know is on this journey please call me at 540-556-0650. I would love to connect with you and share our journey together. You may notice that this column runs together without separation of paragraphs. I did this on purpose. In this grief journey, everything runs together. It is, after all, the land of conflicting emotions. Call me and we will walk this journey together.
Reflection
February is the shortest month of the year. It also tends to be one of the coldest. But that also means that spring is just around the corner. I am spending a lot of time these days reflecting on my life and my business. I turned sixty last year. I know they say that sixty is the new forty and I feel quite healthy. I walk five miles most every morning, swim 1000 yards several times a week and drink a lot of water. I try to learn new things every day. My walk with the Lord is important to me and I try to draw closer to him on a daily basis. I run a business that truly makes a difference in the lives of my clients. Yet something about that number 60 makes me want to reflect on the life I have lived and what is ahead. Almost certainly, the number of days I have left on this earth is less than the number of days I have lived here thus far. I have done some things well and there are many things I wish I had done differently. As I reflect on my life some questions that bubble to the surface are, “What are the really important things in life?” “What can I do to get the very most out of every day of my life?” “How can I be a force for good in the lives of the people I touch on a daily basis?” These are big questions and I don’t pretend that I have the knowledge and wisdom to present a comprehensive answer to any of them. I simply would like to share some of my thoughts on the topic. I think that the two most important things in life are to be sure of our eternal destination and to treat everyone we meet with kindness and love. Jesus said that the two greatest commandments are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love our neighbor as our self. He also said, “Seek first the Kingdom of Heaven and all these things (food, clothing, shelter, etc.) will be added unto you. As I write this, I realize that this is the answer to the other two questions as well. What looked like big theological and philosophical questions turned out to have a very simple answer after all. Just because it is simple, doesn’t mean it is easy. Everyday we are pulled in any number of other directions than the one we should follow. We are bombarded my messages constantly that distract us and pull us off course. To persevere and do the right thing is well worth the effort. I know that in my business, I have the opportunity on a daily basis to make a real impact in people’s lives. Installing a ramp may allow someone to leave their home who hasn’t been able to do so for many years. Creating a wheelchair accessible bathroom may allow some to take a proper shower for the first time in years. Creating a safe and accessible home for a disabled veteran who served our country and can now live a little more comfortably is one of the greatest honors I have. I would encourage each of you in this short month of February to take some time to reflect on your life. Think about what is important to you. If there are things you would like to do differently, ask God to help you. Thank you for letting me share my heart with you. Contact Chris to learn more at 540-384-2064 or by email at cmoore@solidrockenterprises.com.
Most Wonderful Time of the Year
What is it that makes Christmastime the most wonderful time of the year? Certainly, for those of us who are Christians, the celebration of the birth of our Savior is the most important part of this joyous season. A little research, however, will reveal that there is very little evidence that Jesus was born on December 25. It is considered likely that this particular date was borrowed from the pagan holiday Saturnalia. During the seventeenth century, both in England and parts of the American colonies, Christmas was banned by the church because it was believed to be connected to pagan rituals and not properly reverent. Other faiths and traditions also seem to celebrate at this time of year. Maybe we all need something to celebrate when it is cold outside and many living things seem to have retreated into the earth. At any rate, for most of us, the Christmas season is a time of sights and sounds and tastes and smells that we cherish and look forward to all year. It is a time when we are more likely to pause and consider what is important in life. A time when we take to the time to ponder how important our family and friends are to each of us. Life is short and none of us is guaranteed tomorrow. Make time to enjoy the season and spend time with those you love while you have the opportunity. When you gather at the homes of family and friends to enjoy the special fellowship of the Christmas season, please be mindful of safety and accessibility in the home. Most of us never consider fall prevention or access into and out of the home until we are forced to by a fall or the loss of mobility in ourselves or a loved one. At Christmastime, when we often have extended family visiting or we are visiting them is the perfect time to consider increasing the safety and accessibility of our homes. Some of these modifications can be quite simple, like removing throw rugs or trailing extension cords. Other modifications, such as adding a master suite addition for multigenerational living can involve a significant investment of time and money. Most modifications to improve safety and accessibility are somewhere between these two examples. Adding grab bars, railings, or other features to help prevent falls is often the first line of defense when creating a safer and more accessible home for people of all ages and abilities. I believe that we all benefit when we gather together with family and friends of differing ages and abilities. Young people glean the wisdom of their seniors and older folks enjoy the energy and enthusiasm of the young. As you make your plans for this holiday season, make sure you plan for safety and accessibility in your home and the homes of your loved ones. Whatever other plans you have for this festive time of the year, I hope you plan to spend time enjoying the company of those you hold most dear. Take time to consider those things in life that are most important to you. Please consider how great a gift the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ really is. Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year! Contact Chris to learn more at 540-384-2064 or by email at cmoore@solidrockenterprises.com.
Gratitude in Grief
Astute long-time readers of Housing Matters may have noticed that most of the columns this year have seemed vaguely familiar. In fact, almost all of them have been reruns. I have been unable to write for most of the year after my beloved wife Barbara went to meet Jesus on July 31 after battling stage 4 lung cancer since the beginning of the year. This article is both the hardest and the most important column I have ever written. In fact, I have tried to write it every month since Barbara’s passing but have been unable to do so. I hope that I will be able to get it done this month. It is especially important to me to get it written this month because Thanksgiving was always Barbara’s favorite holiday. I have learned a great deal about Thankfulness during my excruciating grief. I choose to focus on the fact that I am thankful for the 33 wonderful years we had together rather than the emptiness I feel with her passing. I am thankful for my six children and five grandchildren. We have all drawn closer in her absence and brought comfort to one another. I am thankful that Barbara is now in the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and will never suffer or shed another tear for all eternity. The great quantities of tears I have shed makes this realization all the more comforting. None of this changes that fact that my sorrow and devastation has been overwhelming. At times I have felt as if the grief would smother me. I truly have learned what it means to walk through the valley of the shadow of death. I also have experienced the grace of God holding me up and sustaining me in the midst of my sorrow. I have decided to be this vulnerable and to share this with you because I want to tell you in no uncertain terms, PLEASE, PLEASE take the time in this holiday season to spend time with the ones you love and give your life meaning. Do not let a moment pass without letting them know how much they mean to you. As my daughter said to me in the early days after Barbara’s passing, “Till death do us part wasn’t long enough.” None of us are guaranteed tomorrow. Live each day as if it were your last, or someone you love’s last. As I pick up the pieces of my broken life and try to figure out how to move forward, I would appreciate all of the prayers you can send my way. Already this loss has made me a more compassionate person and I have more empathy for the suffering of others. As you gather with your family and friends for Thanksgiving, I pray that you would treat them all with a little more love and kindness this year. My hope is that we would all have more awareness of the many gifts we have been given. Don’t let small things and the hustle and bustle of life take away from being thankful for all that you have that really matters. Hope that we can all set aside more time this year to appreciate our many blessings, both large and small. Thank you for listening. Happy Thanksgiving to one and all. — Chris Moore
National Falls Prevention Awareness Week
September 18-24, 2022, is National Falls Prevention Awareness Week. Each year, on the first week of fall, activities and events are scheduled by the National Council on Aging to raise awareness of the problems associated with falling and offer practical solutions to help reduce the incidence and severity of falling, particularly in older adults. Falls are the leading cause of injury and death among older adults. One in four adults over the age of 65 will fall every year. Two-thirds of those who fall will fall again within six months. At least one-third of these calls are caused by environmental hazards within the home. Annual medical costs associated with falls and their consequences is estimated at $50 billion. Deaths due to falls have increased by 30% between 2007 and 2016. If this trend is not slowed, there will be seven deaths due to falls every hour in the U.S. by 2030. As a contractor specializing in aging in place, I am often called upon to install grab bars and other fall prevention devices in people’s homes. Having something sturdy to hold on to, particularly in the bathroom, is extremely helpful in preventing falls. The first step, however, is recognizing the value and importance of fall prevention. In my experience, many people will deny that they are at elevated risk for falling and therefore refuse to take steps to mitigate the risk. The old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound or cure.” is very applicable to falls prevention. I recommend a home assessment and home modifications for safety, falls prevention, and accessibility for all people, regardless of age or ability. If all homes were built using Universal Design principles, then these features would already be in place before we need them. If you would like more information on how to make your home safer, please give me a call at 540-384-2064. Some other areas to pay attention to in order to prevent falls are remaining active, vision, medications, and chronic conditions. Often when people are afraid of falling, particularly if they have fallen before, they limit their activity and move tentatively and fearfully when they do move around. This can lead to losing strength and coordination as well as a shuffling gait. All of this can lead to a greater chance of falling again. It is a vicious cycle. Take the initiative now to improve your strength and balance to make falling less likely. Talk to your health care professional about exercise and balance programs that are available. Another factor that can lead to an increased chance of falling is poor vision. Getting regular eye exams, having bright, glare free lighting, and contrasting colors on surfaces such as stairs can help prevent falls associated with poor vision. Be aware of how chronic conditions and multiple medications can increase your risk of falling. Certain chronic conditions such as diabetes, stroke, arthritis, MS, and many others can impair our functionality. Prescription and over the counter medications can often lead to dizziness, weakness, and loss of balance, all of which can contribute to a fall. Don’t wait until after you have fallen to take action. Take steps today to improve your strength, balance, and the safety of your home environment. Contact Chris to learn more at 540-384-2064 or by email at cmoore@solidrockenterprises.com.
Accessible Vacations To Try This Summer
It’s summertime and that means it’s time to do some traveling. If you have mobility challenges, traveling can present challenges that others don’t have to deal with. Although ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requires that all businesses with public accommodations offer facilities that will be accessible by all people without regard to their physical, cognitive, or sensory limitations, the reality is that vacationing with someone who uses a wheelchair or other mobility device or has other limitations can be challenging. With proper research and advance planning; however, you should be able to have a memorable and relaxing vacation. There are a number of vacation destinations that offer accessibility to all. There’s even a theme park in San Antonio, Texas — Morgan’s Wonderland — that was designed and built specifically to be a place where children with all levels of ability can play and interact with each other. Closer to home, the Addy Grace playground, located at the Daleville YMCA, is an all-abilities playground for all children to be able to enjoy. Maybe playgrounds and theme parks are not what you have in mind. Maybe you were thinking of a few relaxing days away from the routines of your life. Many vacation destinations and resorts are wheelchair accessible. Acadia, Carlsbad Caverns, Grand Canyon, Great Sand Dunes, Great Smokey Mountains, Shenandoah, and Yellowstone are noted as the most wheelchair-accessible National Parks. Newmar makes a line of Class A RVs that are wheelchair accessible complete with built-in platform lifts. There is even a Swiss company that makes a one-wheel rough terrain wheelchair that can traverse practically any hiking trail. It is operated by two people. The one in the front provides direction while the one in the back provides balance and braking. There certainly are a lot of opportunities for recreation these days for people with various impairments that did not exist just a few years ago. If you would like to take advantage of one of these opportunities, I hope that you have the time of your life! I would encourage you to plan ahead and do your research ahead of time. Just as I recommend planning when configuring your home to serve you throughout the course of your life, I encourage you to take the time to properly plan your accessible vacation. Just because an attraction is listed as wheelchair accessible, I would not take their word for it. I have seen many locations listed as wheelchair accessible that are far from it. I would pick up the phone and call them to verify the details. At a minimum, I would recommend that they have at least one, and preferably two zero-step entries at least 32” wide that are protected from the weather and have automatic lighting. There should be an accessible bedroom on the same level as the zero-step entries that has a door that provides at 32” of net clear opening. There should be an accessible bathroom on that level as well. The bathroom also must have a 32” wide net clear opening, a curbless shower, a roll-under sink, a comfort height commode, and grab bars throughout. Every room should have a 5’ diameter clear floor space for turning and all outlets, switches, and environmental controls between 2’ and 4’ off the floor. A bonus (and essential for people who love to cook) is an accessible kitchen. Have a great trip! Call Us to Get Started If we can help make your home a safer and more comfortable place to live please give us a call at 540-384-2064. Chris Moore is the owner of Solid Rock Enterprises and writes a regular Housing Matters column for Senior News.