Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS) Universal Design
None of us will escape the ageing
process, but most everyone will age differently depending on their genetic makeup, lifestyle, and environment.
Aging-in-Place and Universal Design (aka Inclusive Design) embrace safety from a convenience standpoint rather than a ‘warning’ beacon. It becomes a virtually invisible element of a home when done well.
Universal Design is based on 7 principles;
- Equitable Use
- Flexibility in Use
- Simple & Intuitive Use
- Perceptible Information
- Tolerance for Error
- Low Physical Effort
- Size and Space for Approach and Use
When you reflect on each element above you can understand that they are all as important; for a baby just learning to walk or for a mom with a baby in her arms, an ageing parent or someone who has a physical or visual challenge or a hearing impairment. It would only make sense that we design our homes so that they can function at their best for any situation.
What about a sudden injury or illness – is your home ready?
While no one sets out to get injured or is happy about being confronted with a progressive illness diagnosis, and for those thinking that they are not ‘there yet’, consider the following;
- The financial cost of delaying simple modifications, as prices keep increasing year after year.
- The emotional stress of having to deal with a loved one or your own injury after the initial traumatic event. You will rarely be in the right frame of mind to make the proper decisions.
Planning is the key to being able to transition through these life challenges, after all, you’ve spent a lifetime creating memories in your home, wouldn’t it be better to stay there as long as you can?
