FREE REPORT Our goal is to introduce and educate you to

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1 FREE REPORT Our goal is to introduce and educate you to Independent Living/Universal Design Homes A home that is designed for a homeowner to be independent is a home with features that will increase the usability of the home and increase safety. In these homes, you will find spacious hallways, doorways, and no step entries that will make it more convenient for anyone. Other areas that may include this design are cabinetry, lighting, appliances, electrical, flooring, closets, etc. For each room, we have suggestions that you can incorporate into your existing home or a new home you will be building. This user friendly home design will benefit all people, not just the elderly or the physically challenged. And, don t think you have to lose the beauty and style in your home. There is a multitude of cutting edge products that are attractive, barrier-free, and are available for all housing from castles to cabins. This FREE REPORT is compliments of: Custom Kreations, Inc Old Hwy 29 Seymour, WI Office Fax Visit our website: Report written by: Lisa M. Arthur Huben HOME BUILDING, REMODELING, ADDITIONS, CUSTOM CABINETRY/FURNITURE

2 WHAT IS INDEPENDENT LIVING/UNIVERSAL DESIGN? A universal designed home has features and products that make a home safer and more comfortable for all people even when their needs and abilities change. As people age, changes in physical abilities can make daily routines more difficult. Climbing stairs, bathing, and preparing meals can become challenging. People often adjust their personal behaviors to offset a houses shortcoming. This doesn t have to happen. You don t have to change ~ change your home instead. Home modifications or changes to your home that can make it more comfortable, safer, and allow you to maintain your independence, can be a key factor in increasing the likelihood of staying independent and injury-free in your home. This type of design is for EVERYONE!! There are 3 types of people: 1. People without an urgent need: this includes people who are not experiencing any health issues. There are 2 types of these people: a. Procrastinators: they deny their need for this design and will deal with it if and when the time comes along. b. Planners: these people are in good health, but are aware they may have future needs for this design. 2. People with a progressive or chronic condition: this includes people who may have arthritis, diabetes, back conditions, MS, obesity, elderly, etc. In these cases, long term home modifications are necessary. 3. People with a traumatic change: this includes people who may have had a stroke, heart attack, car accident, or surgery and need immediate modifications to their home for them to recuperate and remain living there.

3 BENEFICIAL FEATURES FOR PEOPLE TODAY-TOMORROW Convenient Access: o Step-free entries into your home and throughout your home helps avoid trips and falls. These easy entry and thresholdfree doorways make it easier for family and friends who rely on assistance for mobility. Convenient Passage: o With wider hallways and doorways, there is plenty of room to pass through without bumping into walls or door frames. This means complete independence for those who struggle with small or narrow spaces. Convenient Usage: o All necessary living space is located on the main floor. This means fewer trips up and down the stairs since all the rooms you spend most of your time in are on one level. This selfcontained floor makes it possible for people who develop a serious medical condition to remain in their home and retain their independence. There are numerous things to consider when building or remodeling your home with this design. Chances are, your home will not need all of the suggestions listed, but it is wise to think of the future for yourself or a family member who may make regular visits into your home. NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION There is a huge advantage to include Universal Design into the construction phase of your new home.

4 Average price to upgrade your new home to this design is only 5% more. Contractors do not have any building codes to follow when applying this design. This is an advantage for the home owner as it gives them more freedom to design the home to suit the family s needs. Preparing your home to add this design in the future is possible during the construction phase. A few examples of this are blocking for future grab bars, structural framing of wider doorways, pre-positioned electrical, plumbing and HVAC roughins. EXISTING HOME MODIFICATIONS There are all kinds of things to consider when remodeling your home with Universal Design. Even though there many suggestions that can be made, chances are, you may need only a few of them to make your home more accessible for you. A good suggestion would be to take it one project at a time to avoid extra stress. Some jobs are quick, easy and inexpensive. On the other hand, there are much larger projects that are more in depth and expensive. Next, you will find a lengthy list of possible solutions to modify your home to make your life as independent as possible. BATHROOM IDEAS: Doors should be at least 32 wide, 36 maximum Doors can be unlocked from the outside Doors can be opened out Bathroom has enough clear floor space for a wheelchair

5 Flooring surface should be non-slip There should be a telephone within reach of the toilet and tub The bathroom should be well lit with task lighting A full length mirror should be mounted lower to view entire body from seated position Bathtub Ideas: Have a flat area on the edge of the tub for sitting and resting Apply a non-slip mat or stripping to bottom of tub The water controls can be reached from the outside of the tub Grab bars are mounted around the tub for easier access in and out An anti-scald device should be installed on the faucet to avoid burning A removable, hand-held shower head is available A transfer bench is present for getting in and out The Shower Ideas: A walk-in/roll-in shower (no curb) A moveable seat for sitting during shower is available The shower floor has non-slip floor Grab bars are mounted around the shower There is a removable, hand-held shower head A shelf to hold bottles or a wall mounted dispenser for shampoo, conditioner, body soap, etc. The shower has an anti-scald device on the faucet There is a light in the shower Shower dimension is 36 x 36 with a seat or 36 x 30 without a seat

6 Grab Bars Ideas: Grab bars are place around the toilet, tub and shower The grab bars can support up to 250# They are attached to the wall studs The grab bars measure 1 ¼ 1 ½ in diameter The grab bars are textured for easy gripping There is 1 1/2 between the grab bar and the wall for finger space If there are no grab bars, is there bracing in the walls to install them in the future? Bathroom Sink/Vanity Ideas: For an average height person, the sink is 34 off the floor The sink has knee space underneath The faucet is a single lever handle The faucet has an anti-scald device to avoid burning The countertop edge is rounded The countertop is spacious and made of easy to clean materials There is a medicine cabinet within reach when sitting at the sink There is a tilting mirror attached There is a contrasting color edge on the countertop A wall hung sink has at least 17 depth for knee space The sink is placed as close to the front of the cabinet as possible Any exposed water pipes under the sink are covered or insulated to avoid burning the legs Toilet Ideas: The top of the toilet is off the floor There is at least 18 of space in front of the toilet There is 42 of floor space on at least 1 side of the toilet

7 Make sure the toilet paper is within reach The toilet has an easy-to-flush handle KITCHEN IDEAS: The kitchen is near a door where groceries are unloaded The kitchen floor has a non-slip surface There is a fire extinguisher in an easy to reach place Those who use the kitchen know how to operate the fire extinguisher There is plenty of lighting, especially task lighting where needed Countertop Ideas: At least 1 of the countertops is 36 off the floor The 36 countertop has knee space underneath The countertops are uncluttered The countertops are well lit The countertops have rounded edges There is a contrasting color edge on the countertops The countertops are smooth to slide things across The countertops have a heat resistant surface There are countertops on at least 1 side of the sink, refrigerator, and the stove Cabinetry Ideas: The upper cabinets are 48 off the floor The lower cabinets are 6 off the floor All heavy pots and pans are stored in the lower cabinets The pots and pans can hang on the wall

8 There is a shelf below the upper cabinets The shelves in the lower cabinets slide in and out The handles on the cabinets are U shaped There is a lazy susan on a deep shelf or in a corner cabinet Open shelving for easy access to frequently used items Kitchen Sink Ideas: The sink is less than 6 ½ deep The sink is no more than 34 off the floor The sink has a faucet with 1 lever handle The faucet and handle is mounted on the side of the sink There is knee space under the sink There is a spray hose at the sink The faucet has an anti-scald device to avoid burning Microwave Oven Ideas: The microwave oven is at least 48 off the floor There is a shelf nearby the microwave to placed hot items The microwave oven has touchpad controls The microwave oven door swings to the side Dishwasher Ideas: The dishwasher is at least 8 off the floor There is enough space next to the dishwasher to fit a chair The dishwasher has button controls The dishwasher shelves slide in and out easily Refrigerator Ideas: The refrigerator is a side by side

9 The shelves slide in and out The refrigerator has a water and ice dispenser on the door Cook-top and Oven Ideas: There is a 1 piece slip in range/oven The range has been replaced with a separate cook-top and oven The cook-top is on a counter that is 32 off the floor There is knee space below the cook-top The oven is mounted on the wall at a reachable height when seated The oven door swings to the side The controls are at the front The cook-top has a smooth, glass top The burners are staggered, not in a straight line There is a LED light when the burners are on or still hot The oven has push-button controls The cook-top has a downdraft feature to pull heat away from the user The oven is self-cleaning as opposed to continuous clean CLOSET IDEAS: Items that aren t used have been thrown away Most things in the closet are reachable while sitting The rod is off the floor There are drawers and shelves in the organized closet The drawers are no more than 30 off the floor There are full-extension drawers that pull all the way out The shelves are 18 deep or less The bottom drawers are deeper than the top drawers

10 There are special shoe shelves on the wall There is motion sensor lighting in the closet The door to the closet is at least 32 wide ~ 36 is ideal If there is a light switch, it is easy to reach The closet is 5 6 wide for a single line of hanging space The closet is 8 wide for a double row of hanging space The closet is open at both ends to walk/roll through ELECTRICAL IDEAS: The electrical outlets are 24 off the floor All appliances are within 6 of an outlet There are no extension cords being used Each room has a reachable light switch at the door There is an outlet on the light switch near each door HVAC control is mounted no higher than 48 off the floor There are timer switches on the bathroom exhaust fans Electrical box has circuit breakers Top of breaker panel is no higher than 48 off the floor GFCI s are installed in the kitchen, bathrooms, laundry room and exterior of the house Light switches are no higher than 48 off the floor Rocker light switches are being use There are dimmer switches with preset devices and slide controls present in the house There are 3-way switches at the top and bottom of the stairs and hallways There are motion sensors being used in closets, hallways, and pantry There is emergency backup power in case of emergency

11 Lighting Ideas: Natural daylight is being taken advantage of by opening curtains and shades There is a window near the favorite seating The windows are clean The windows are low enough to look out of when sitting There is enough overhead lighting throughout the house The highest wattage bulbs are being used for maximum light The light bulbs are easy to change There are 3-way bulbs in all reading lamps There are floor lamps to use for task lighting where needed All stairways and hallways are well lit There is a light switch at the top and bottom of the stairs Nightlights are used in the bathroom and kitchen at night The light switches are rocker switches There are easy to clean light fixtures throughout the house All exterior walkways are well lit Outside lights turn on automatically There is a lamp with a flexible neck by the favorite chair SMOKE DETECTOR IDEAS: There are smoke detectors on each floor of the house There is at least 1 battery operated detector There is at least 1 electrically operated detector The smoke detectors are mounted on the ceiling The batteries get changed at least twice a year The smoke alarms are vacuumed at least once a year The alarms are tested once a month

12 There is a fire extinguisher on each floor in the house There is an extra fire extinguisher in the kitchen Smoke detectors have strobe lights LAUNDRY ROOM: The laundry room is on the main floor of the house There are front-loading machines All laundry supplies are within easy reach There is a rolling cart to fold down as a shelf to sort clothing EXTERIOR AND ENTRANCES: There is a covered entryway and is well lit There is a peep hole at a lower level There is a package shelf at the entrance for holding items while unlocking and opening the door The street number and doorbell are highly visible There is an intercom system at the entry way for visitors to identify themselves Door handles are lever style handles The door lock is a single locking mechanism There are kick plates on the bottom of door Ramps have handrails on both sides The top surface of the handrail is above the floor surface There is a 2 curb on each side of the ramp The ramp is sloped away from the door 1/8 per 12 The ramp has landings to stop and rest at any corners and before the entrance door The handrail is shaped for easy gripping The handrail goes 12 beyond the bottom of the ramp

13 The wall mounted handrails have finger space of 1 ½ The standard driveway is a minimum width of 12 The single garage door is 9 wide The double garage door is 18 wide The garage provides a minimum of 12 x 3 area for ramping up to the living level There is drainage and an anti-slip floor surface in the garage The garage doors are on electric door openers FLOORING: ALL floors are non-slip There isn t any bulky carpeting There isn t any area rugs on any floors OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER: There is a magnifying glass near the area where RX are taken There is voice dialing installed on the telephone so they can speak the number instead of pushing buttons The telephone has large numbers The telephone has the volume increased The edges of the steps are marked with a 1 2 strip of bright colored paint or tape To help locate the bottom step, there is a strip of Velcro at the end of the handrail The stairways have handrails on both sides The handrails extend beyond the top and bottom of the stairs

14 WHO WILL HELP US DESIGN OUR EXISTING HOME? This is where our experience comes into play.. Lisa Arthur Huben, has earned several designations and certificates in designing Universal Design homes and helping homeowners maintain an Independent Living lifestyle. CAPS ~ Certified Aging In Place Specialist ~ National Association of Home Builders ACCESSIBLE HOME MODIFICATIONS Facilitating Safety, Function and Options for Independence in the Home ~ Continuing Education ~ Summit Professional Education EXECUTIVE CERTIFICATE IN HOME MODIFICATION ~ INDEPENDENT LIVING ~ Univ. of Southern CA I.D.E.A.S. ~Innovative Design in Environment for an Aging Society ~ National Institute of Health ~ Home Modifications for People with Dementia, Sensory Impairments, Motor Impairments, & People who are at Risk for Falls With Lisa s training and Custom Kreations, Inc. extensive background with building and remodeling, we can be a great value to you. We are willing to consult with your doctor, nurse, PT/OT, and/or family members to prepare ourselves for your project.

15 HOW CAN WE AFFORD TO MODIFY OUR EXISTING HOME? It is much more economical to add this design to a new house during the construction process. But, if you are not planning on building new, then the next option would be to modify your existing home. How will you pay for this? If you don t have the money available to you, you may have to find some funding. There are government sources on the federal, state, and local levels, as well as other sources. The following is a list of possibilities: Centers for Independent Living (CILS) ~ For more information visit Community Service Organizations ~ Elk, Lions, Kiwanis Clubs, Rotary or other community service organizations may have budgeted funds for assistance to people with disabilities Dept. of Veterans Affairs ~ The department offers a Specially Adapted Housing Grant Program for GI s who have lost limbs and must use wheelchairs. Vets who contract a debilitating disease while in the service are also eligible. The grant amount extends to $50,000 based on the nature of the disability and covers home building and accessibility modifications. For more information, contact the VA Customer Service Center at Long-term Care Insurance ~ Some long-term care insurance policies cover special equipment such as ramps and grab bars that assist in the performance of activities of daily living at home. John Hancock Life Insurance Company has one such program Enriched Home Care Benefit. Medicare/Medicaid ~ Fees for durable medical equipment and supplies may be covered, provided that the products are ordered by

16 a physician and are medically necessary to treat an illness or injury. Programs vary by state. Private Insurance ~ Depending on the terms of a policy, private insurance may pay for ramps and home modifications. Additionally, the cost of a home assessment by a OT or other environmental professional may be fully or partially covered by insurance benefits. Public and Private Agencies ~ Eligibility is based on individual agency requirements. Contact the following agencies for info on services and eligibility requirements: o Easter Seals o United Cerebral Palsy o United Way Organizations o Muscular Dystrophy Association o Epilepsy Foundation o Multiple Sclerosis Association o Developmental Disability Planning Council Reverse Mortgages ~ A reverse mortgage is a special type of loan used by homeowners age 62 and older to convert part of the equity in their homes into tax-free cash without having to sell the home, give up title or take on a new monthly payment. Instead of making monthly payments to a lender, the payments are reversed and a lender makes payment to you. Eligible property type include single-family homes, manufactured homes built after 1976, qualified condominiums, and townhouses. For additional information, log onto Home Equity Loan or Line of Credit ~ Applying for a home equity loan or line of credit through your bank or mortgage lender would be ideal for larger projects. In general terms, this option allows lenders to use the homeowner s equity that has already accrued as

17 collateral to determine qualifications for loan approval and amounts. Once the owner pays the loan, equity is restored. Contact you bank, lender, or financial advisor for additional information. A great website I found to have a lot of valuable information is: You may qualify to claim a tax credit if you install or hire someone else to install one or more accessibility features in an existing home to make it accessible to people with limited capabilities. We hope you found this report informative. Good luck with any upcoming projects!! Custom Kreations, Inc Old Hwy 29 ~ Seymour, WI ~ Visit our website:

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