Introduction

Aging in place and universal design are not exactly the same thing, however, there is so much overlap between the two that they often get used interchangeably.

• Reference the ADA Standard for Accessibility (US)

Design Considerations

As you learn more about what these approaches to design mean, you learn that they both require, at times, substantial changes in your design and what most would see as compromises. Making bathrooms larger, changing flooring types, using different hardware, etc — are all things you’d have to be willing to accommodate. 

Most of the time, the approach is to allow for future accommodations and upgrades. This means designing and specifying items that could be swapped at a later date. The times when consideration is given to aging in place is generally when people are building their ‘forever house’ that they plan on passing down to children.

Another reason that these two approaches aren’t taken into consideration is simply cost. The compromises many times mean less design control, with more cost. Spaces need to be larger, cabinets more complex, and other changes lead to an increased cost that most people would not want to swallow, especially if giving up design integrity.

Small Changes; Big Impact

The best lesson to be taken from this is that small changes can make a big impact. If you are able to widen a bathroom slightly to allow aging in place, it’s worth considering. Even if the bathroom is only a half-bath at the time, allowing so that the homeowner could do a small renovation making it a full bath, would mean a great payoff against needing to immediately move. Small changes that could potentially allow the homeowner more longevity by several years should always be considered and proposed to clients as alternatives.

Aging In Place

Aging In Place is designing a space to accommodate the elderly and allow them to comfortably stay in the house as long as possible — all the way up until, and in some cases, during end of life care is needed. This generally means an accommodation for limited mobility, especially with transitions and level changes like stairs. Aging in place is much easier to pull off than universal design, and in general deals more with larger programming changes compared to detail focused solutions that universal design requires. 

First Floor Living

One main requirement is to accommodate and make sure that there is the ability for someone to live on the first floor (entry floor) of the home comfortably. This primarily would mean making accommodations for a bedroom on the first floor along with a full bathroom design. If the bedrooms are only on the second floor, an elderly person would have to walk up stairs to sleep or wash. While in most American homes there are rooms that could be converted to a bedroom on the first floor, it’s not as common to have a full bathroom with a shower. Another aspect to this is to make sure that the person has all the additional room and space to comfortably live. They cannot simply live in the bathroom/bedroom, and would need a space to cook, relax, and live.

Space Specific

Spaces themselves should also be considered for wheelchairs and also limited mobility. This means having at least one full bathroom where a wheelchair could easily get in/out of the room, and use the sink. This bathroom specifically would be on the first floor where the elderly would live longer term — in contrast to common first floor (public) facing half baths that are made as tiny as possible.

Elevators

One way to overcome programming issues is to introduce an elevator/lift into the project. Many times these won’t be installed in the brand new construction of the space, but instead, oversized closets will be constructed on top of eachother with structural considerations given to accommodate knocking out the floor and installing an elevator at a later date. The elevator allows the home to function as normal, without the needs listed before such as a full bathroom on the first floor. Program and circulation considerations should be given to where the elevator is located, ideally centrally, on the plan for bathroom emergencies and ease of use.

Tripping Hazards

Along with stairs, tripping hazards are one of the most dangerous pieces for an elderly person. Accommodating this means making sure the construction has low profile, or non-existant threshold/sills across the projects. Any tiny grade change, whether a couple stairs or door threshold to different floor material, could become a tripping hazard. Not only does the low profile sills reduce tripping hazards, but it would also increase wheelchair mobility between the different rooms.

Detail Specific

As one ages, strength, joints, and other things start to wear out. Aging in place would mean giving consideration to all operable items such as windows, locks, and even appliances. Making sure for example that the window can be easily opened by the handle, regardless of whether it is needed or not. Doors and other hardware to accommodate, should generally be specified with the ADA standard for Accessibility in mind.

Universal Design

Universal Design is designing for everyone. This means the young, the elderly, and most people of society; but also designing for the disabled. Disabled persons across the globe account for approximately 16% of the population (WHO), and that number climbs higher to approximately 1 in 4 (25%) in the United States.

In essence, this means designing so that all aspects of the building comply with things such as accessibility, regardless of whether it is needed or not. This means that the building would be considered from the standpoint of someone in a wheelchair, someone who has limited mobility and elderly, someone who is blind, someone with only some of their limbs, etc. 

Whole or Part

It doesn’t necessarily mean that the entire building and all spaces would be universally designed. While this is the most ‘complete’ way of thinking about the design, there are limitations generally put into practice. For example, if a house has 2 bathrooms on one floor, it would make sense to make sure that at least one of the bathrooms is universally designed, while the other may be downsized for cost and convenience.