Check out my building blog to learn more about construction for your home or office in Austin! David L. Traut, President, CAPS Certified (512)444-0097

David Traut, CAPS Published Book On Amazon/Age in Place at Home

Posted byDavid L. Traut, CAPS on Fri, Oct 27, 2023 @ 09:10 AM

 

I feel the information contained within my book, "Age In Place At Home"  is so important for families searching to find answers concerning their traditional home once any family member has experienced health changes interrupting the family's daily cadence. These changes might include a broken limb, the affects of a constantly degenerative disease like MS, or a stroke, just to name a few. Once the afflicted person can no longer enter their bedroom or have adequate use of at least one bathroom's facilities, the family is aware their home has an architectural problem. The interrupted family becomes aware they need some sort of home modifications to help cope with the personal changes of the affected family member, but do not know where to turn for help. This is where the book comes into play. The news of my book's availability warranted reposting because it is an invaluable reference tool for any family unit going forward in reference to their home's possible modifications to increase accessibility. After over a year of writing to fulfill my customers' requests, my new book, "Age in Place At Home," is available for purchase from Amazon. Go to the link below to order my paperback book, which was released in late November, 2022. It provides a great guideline for using the principles of Universal Design in new home construction and/or remodeling for every room in your home to accentuate universal accessibility for those needing it the most. Get your copy today.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/r.html?C=2Z24ENUUAEWUK&K=13Y7YU7PKKYAC&M=urn:rtn:msg:20221010201802eb9acb7b24004a4785cd2ec1d4f0p0na&R=3R6MK9WDXJPH7&T=C&U=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0BHTV28RV%3Fref_%3Dpe_3052080_276849420&H=7FWEPMGCH0TT8LN6SKPMUOCVJNYA&ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

A home's adaptability is one of the most desired qualities within a person's home during some point in their life as their or their family's physical needs change. The need for specific modifications to enhance accessibility can be short term while recovering from an accident or illness at any age, or  these home alterations may become permanent. The special individual needs within a family may concern an adult or a child. Universal design principles don't discriminate between any family members regardless of age, size, or ability because they are inclusive. Hence, every family member is accounted for. Learn how to adapt your home environment to satisfy your family's needs in David Traut's new book, "Age in Place at Home".

Age in Place at Home Book

 

T-Square Company, in Austin, Texas, practices Universal Design/Build ideas for accessibility to seamlessly segue into what is generally needed for Aging in Place. The essence of my book is to advise people so they understand why our traditional homes are obsolete to us, the homeowners, the minute they are completed and we take possession. The book offers advice to overcome these overwhelmingly problematic areas of the home. This understated and overlooked fact is represented by the methodology used to create the traditional home. These homes are built to satisfy our immediate lifestyle and physical needs on the day we close on the house, with no regard for the future. The new home lacks adaptability to satisfy our needs once our bodies physically change beyond the purchase date. If we had incorporated the Universal Design principles into these new homes, those same homes would adapt to our changing family needs including every inhabitant regardless of age, size, or ability. The lack of home adaptability is not the consumers fault, they have always been unaware of how to reference the problem and accepted what the housing market produced. They were unaware of what to ask for. Hence, the status-quo of homebuilding has been perpetuated  for over a hundred years.

T-Square Company offers all types of Universal Design home modifications to better prepare you and your family for your unforeseeable future home accessibility needs on a design/build basis. It is a fact, existing, traditional homes must be modified to increase their accessibility using correct designs. Become aware and embrace the knowledge that the principles of Universal Design offer greater home accessibility for every one of your home members, from your father to your son. This is why the process is known as inclusive design. 

David L. Traut, CAPS, has been involved with accessibility for nearly thirty years for the VA, HUD,  and private residences. He is nationally certified in Universal Design in the United States and Australia. Contact him at 512-444-0097 for a professional home assessment to guide your future accessibility needs or at www.tsquareco.com. Simply fill out your information on the contact us page.

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Universal Design Professional in Austin, Texas/T-Square Company

Posted byDavid L. Traut, CAPS on Fri, Oct 13, 2023 @ 09:10 AM

A universal design-build project is appealing to all users. When correctly applied, any home area will be accented universally with stylish function and appears virtually invisible. Bathrooms, kitchens, family rooms, and bedrooms will all benefit the homeowner once the principles of Universal Design are applied. Examples of increased usability provided by Universal Design include wider doorways and hallways, enhanced lighting, non-slip flooring, contrasting colors within rooms, more accessible electrical controls and devices, curb-less showers, lever door hardware, more pull-out shelves, and drawers over cabinet doors, varying cabinet top heights, and water faucets and controls operable by a single hand or closed fist. Be advised, Universal design ideas do not strictly deal with accessibility or Aging in Place design. They do not implement precise ADA standards, but offers flexibility to add accessories now and later to those planning or the end user. 

David L. Traut, CAPS (1636580), the president and owner of T-Square Company, is accredited in Universal Design in the United States and Australia and has written many papers on the subject. David not only practices integrating Universal Design in his local design/build projects, but he acts as a consultant directing customers who live out of his service area. He has now published a book covering how Universal Design overcomes today's problematic living situations within traditional homes due to their association with status-quo building concepts. Additionally, Universal Design offers a common-sense gateway for increasing accessibility and adaptability in future homes. T-Square Company in Austin, Texas has been offering design/build accessibility projects to their clients incorporating the principles of Universal Design for over twenty-five years. They specialize in Universal Design Ideas. 

Universal Design construction or inclusive construction is used when a homeowner is smartly preparing for future life changes and want to remain in their existing home. The most significant advantage of using this innovative concept is that it smoothly prepares a home for Aging in Place. By gradually applying elements of Universal Design during periodic home remodeling projects, those specific home areas affected are Age in Place ready without being noticed until needed. The concept provides various human performance characteristics for people using spaces within their homes, including well-integrated usability features. These adaptations have a broad market appeal to everyone for achieving ease of use, safety, and convenience, accommodating an inevitable reality. The effects of a disability, aging and disease are tempered because adaptability is built into the design. The reality is that all people exist along a continuum of human performance as per their traits and characteristics, regardless of their age. A universal approach to design considers that everyone has varying degrees of ability and disability rather than someone who is either fully functional or disabled.

Age in Place at Home by David Traut

 David L. Traut, CAPS, the owner-president of T-Square Company has published a book entitled "Age in Place at Home :Adapting the Home Environment for All Generations". The book is available through Amazon. This book covers identifying and overcoming common accessibility shortcomings found within a traditional home. Within it's pages, David takes you through a home's interior showing you how and where to apply Universal Design aspects in every room. Since Universal Design seamlessly segues into Aging in Place needs, it is a how-to book worth reading. Incorporating Universal Design principles into your home facilitate future Aging in Place goals, while comfortably addressing the diverse needs of all ages and mobility levels living within your home at any time. This book is a great reference for aging homeowners, parents of special needs children, homeowners moving in their elderly parents, and multi-generational living situations. Always remember, home accessibility is not exclusively age-related, but it must be appropriate for those needing it the most.

Universal Design construction and Aging in Place home modifications are available through T-Square Company in SW Austin, Texas. Each universal design/build project is customized to the homeowner's needs. Call 512-444-0097 today to prepare for the accessible second chapter of your life while remaining safe and secure in your existing home. T-Square Company will design and build an adapted living environment customized around your abilities. Whether your project concerns home modifications, an accessible addition or wing, or new construction, they can help you increase your accessibility. T-Square Company has over three decades of building and remodeling experience practicing as a disability contractor for people with special needs. They want to help their clients be as self-sufficient and independent as possible by offering handicap accessible floor plans. Let them show you how to increase safety and accessibility within your living environment.

After so long a time of blogging, soap box deliveries, and conversations with customers and other builders concerning the importance of Universal Design in the future of our home building industry, others have listened and agreed. David was humbled to find this article published in the Austin American Statesman. He takes pride in the fact that people are beginning to see the importance of this very forward-thinking design concept because it just makes good sense.  May this article help to propel the needed universal building movement forward.

Accessible Homes Of Austin

 


The trend toward 'universal design' in homes
Tuesday, Jan 15, 2019 @ 3:57pm
By David Wilfong

universal home design in Austin, Texas

Simple adjustments like a sideways opening oven can make life a lot easier for a person in a wheelchair. | Jofre Essley / Flickr


For many years disabled people faced challenges at every corner of public life. Stairs, rough ground, or even just reaching objects on a shelf created obstacles at inopportune times. Then the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) came into play. Wheelchair ramps and handicapped restrooms became commonplace in common spaces, and the result has been an improved quality of life for millions.


Then there’s the subject of home design. Homes have been modified for many years to meet the needs of the disabled, but now there is a new concept of “universal design,” which means homes being built for all needs from the beginning, even if there is not currently a disabled person living there.
“Along with aging in place, universal design is becoming more of a household term,” says T-Square Company (14141 Highway 290 West, Suite 800 in Austin) in is online blog. “Essentially, it’s about building or modifying places and spaces—both public and private—to accommodate people of all ages and abilities. More than just an architectural concept, universal design is a win-win for sandwich generation boomers caring for aging parents and their children at home, for grandparents raising grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and for all who are facing the challenges of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or other chronic diseases. Whether your family needs the support now or down the road, universal design features are a good long-term investment for the home itself.”


The trend toward 'universal design' in homes
Tuesday, Jan 15, 2019 @ 3:57pm
By David Wilfong

Discover the Principles Of Universal Design

 

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Universal Design Is Inclusive Design For All/Universal Design Principles

Posted byDavid L. Traut, CAPS on Thu, Oct 05, 2023 @ 09:10 AM

Are You And Your Family Prepared For The Future?

The sudden onset of a disability can significantly impact a family's daily lifestyle in various ways:

  • Changes in caregiving responsibilities: Family members may need to take on caregiving roles to support the disabled individual, which can require time and adjustments to daily routines.
  • Financial considerations: The cost of medical expenses, assistive devices, and home modifications can strain a family's finances.
  • Mobility and transportation: Depending on the disability, transportation options may need to be adapted, which can affect school, work, and social activities.
  • Home modifications: The need for wheelchair ramps, accessible bathrooms, and other modifications may be necessary, impacting the home environment.
  • Emotional and psychological impact: Family members may experience stress, emotional strain, or guilt as they adapt to the new circumstances.
  • Social life: The family's ability to participate in social events and outings may change due to the disabled family member's needs.
  • Education and employment: Family members may need to adjust their work or school schedules to accommodate caregiving responsibilities.
  • Healthcare management: Coordinating medical appointments, therapies, and medications becomes a part of the daily routine.
  • Community support: Families may seek support from local disability organizations or support groups to help navigate these changes.
  • Recreation and leisure: Finding accessible recreational activities can be a challenge, impacting the family's leisure time.

It is essential for families, prior to facing such life challenges, to take proactive measures toward universally preparing their inaccessible home for future evolving personal needs. Therefore, all periodic home remodels should include elements of Universal Design in every area of your home. This positive action will alleviate or lessen the affects of many of the sudden impactful changes brought about in the aforementioned list. The family should also communicate openly, seek external support, and work together to adapt to the new lifestyle and ensure the well-being of all members. 

The constantly evolving concept known as Universal Design for home building and remodeling is catching on nationwide and has been for several years as a sign of the times. Universal design in housing refers to the concept of designing living spaces and homes to be accessible and usable by people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. The goal is to create environments that accommodate a wide range of individual needs and preferences without the need for costly or specialized modifications. Universal Design techniques used in building or remodeling makes a home more accessible to all regardless of their mobility or adaptive abilities and at any age.

An evolution of new products used for disability home modifications is making Universal Design homes more accessible and has finally come about in the remodeling industry. These new advances in accessible home remodeling not only keep the living environments safer but will not compromise the home's aesthetics or resale value. Furthermore, this new way of thinking offers flexibility to add accessories now and later to those planning ahead or to the end user. It also provides for a wide range of human performance characteristics for the way people use spaces within their homes including well integrated usability features.

There are seven criteria which must be met to be considered a Universal Design no matter which area of the home you are referring to. Any design must be equally useful to everyone, have flexibility in usefulness, be simple and intuitive, be perceived by everyone, have a tolerance for error, require little physical effort, and it must maintain an adequate area for approach and use. Any complexity or discriminating attribute to a design will doom it in terms of being considered universal in nature.

Universal Design Is Inclusive Design For All!

Universal Design in all building aspects helps everyone with independence

Universal design aims to create inclusive living environments that promote independence and quality of life for everyone, including individuals with disabilities, older adults, and families with young children. It's an important concept for promoting accessibility and social inclusion in housing design.

While Universal Design is a human centered concept making up an overlapping design philosophy, this concept of design came about by the recent disability movement of our aging population and the quality of life created by an increased user concept. An evolution in building ideas which deals with a larger all-inclusive society rather than a select group will make our homes more livable and sustainable in the future. Small changes can make a great difference with practice and understanding of the antiquated architecture which has evolved as the norm. It has been demonstrated that a need for functionality and usability has been lacking within our existing home inventory and the standards and codes from our municipalities must catch up with the needs of our society as a whole. When everyone can benefit it just makes common sense. Observing other aging groups in our society and the personal perils they face has finally brought about a new way of thinking about the living environment. Universal Design is beneficial to all abilities and ages offering practical solutions for specific differences in people. We have long needed a new vision representing a home that works for everyone and this attitude is becoming the new reality stemming from a revolution.  This new building revolution, using Universal Design, is helping to create new accessible homes along with ways to make the older homes more accessible. 

 

Discover the Principles Of Universal Design

Universal Design does not equate to accessibility design even though they both are concerned with ergonomics and human function issues. The ADA guidelines for accessibility were created as a means to help those people with extreme disabilities within our society who are a narrow and specific cross section of the masses. A Universal Design approach proactively takes into account moderate impairments or disabilities, temporary health conditions, and the varying abilities of anyone within a home regardless of their age or size. In other words, an ADA accessible home is designed for the one person exhibiting a disability, whereas a Universal Design home is designed for everyone and avoids kneejerk reactions to later seen health issues. Features like one story design, bedrooms and bathrooms on the ground floor, natural day lighting through larger windows and skylights, and wider doors and hallways appeal to users of all ages. With baby boomers eyeing a future where they'll Age in Place and younger people renovating older homes, the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies is anticipating healthy growth for the U.S. home improvement market through 2025.

Age in Place at Home by David Traut

T-Square Company in Austin, Texas has been offering design/build accessibility projects to their clients incorporating the principles of Universal Design for over twenty-five years. We specialize in Universal Design Ideas. David L. Traut, CAPS, the owner-president of T-Square Company is certified in Universal Design. He has published a book entitled "Age in Place at Home :Adapting the Home Environment for All Generations" which is available through Amazon. The book covers identifying and overcoming common accessibility shortcomings within a traditional home. Within it's pages, David takes you through a home interior showing you how and where to apply Universal Design aspects in every room. Since Universal Design seamlessly segues into Aging in Place needs, it is a how-to book worth reading. Incorporating Universal Design principles into your home facilitate future Aging in Place goals, while comfortably addressing the diverse needs of all ages and mobility levels living within your home at any time. This book is a great reference for aging homeowners, parents of special needs children, homeowners moving in their elderly parents, and multi-generational living situations. Always remember, home accessibility is not exclusively age-related, but it must be appropriate for those needing it the most. 

Get Educated 

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David Traut, CAPS Recently Published Book/Age in Place at Home

Posted byDavid L. Traut, CAPS on Tue, Sep 19, 2023 @ 09:09 AM

 

After over a year of writing to fulfill my customers' requests, my new book, "Age in Place At Home," is finally available for purchase from Amazon.  Go to the link below to order my paperback book, which was released in late November, 2022. It provides a great guideline for using the principles of Universal Design in new home construction and/or remodeling for every room in your home. Get your copy today.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/r.html?C=2Z24ENUUAEWUK&K=13Y7YU7PKKYAC&M=urn:rtn:msg:20221010201802eb9acb7b24004a4785cd2ec1d4f0p0na&R=3R6MK9WDXJPH7&T=C&U=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0BHTV28RV%3Fref_%3Dpe_3052080_276849420&H=7FWEPMGCH0TT8LN6SKPMUOCVJNYA&ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

A home's adaptability is one of the most desired qualities within a person's home during some point in their life as their or their family's personal needs change. Specific needs to enhance a home's accessibility can be short term while recovering from an accident or illness at any age, or  these home alterations may become permanent. The special needs may concern an adult or a child. Universal design principles don't discriminate between any family members regardless of age, size, or ability. Every family member is included. Learn how to adapt your home environment to satisfy your family's needs in David Traut's new book, Age in Place at Home.

Age in Place at Home Book

 

T-Square Company, in Austin, Texas, practices Universal Design accessibility to segue into Aging in Place seamlessly. The essence of my book is to advise people so they understand why our homes are obsolete to us, the homeowners, the minute they are completed.  This fact is represented by the methodology used to create the traditional home. They are built to satisfy our immediate lifestyle and physical needs on the day we close on the house, with no regard for the future. The new home lacks adaptability to satisfy our needs once our bodies change beyond the purchase date. If we had incorporated the Universal Design principles into these new homes, those same homes would adapt to our changing family needs including every inhabitant regardless of age, size, or ability. The lack of home adaptability is not the consumers fault, they have always been unaware of how to reference the problem and accepted what the housing market gave them. They were unaware of what to ask for. Hence, the status-quo of building has been perpetuated  for over a hundred years.

T-Square Company offers all types of Austin Universal Design home modifications to better prepare you and your family for your unforeseeable home accessibility future on a design/build basis. Existing, traditional homes must be modified to increase their accessibility using correct designs. Become aware and embrace the knowledge that the principles of Universal Design offer greater home accessibility for every one of your home members, from your father to your son. This is why the process is known as inclusive design which is a part of our universal design/build ideas. Furthermore, T-Square Company specializes in Austin elder living solutions and Austin senior home modifications. 

Home Accessibility Help

David L. Traut, CAPS, has been involved with accessibility for nearly thirty years for the VA, HUD,  and private residences.  T-Square Company offers a complete assortment of Aging in Place services in Austin. Contact him at 512-444-0097 for a professional home assessment to guide your future accessibility needs or at www.tsquareco.com. Simply fill out your contact information on the "contact us" page.

Certified Aging In Place Specialist

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Why Undergo A Home Edit?/Contact T-Square Company In Austin, Texas

Posted byDavid L. Traut, CAPS on Tue, Sep 05, 2023 @ 08:09 AM


Human problems must be solved using correct design changes. The principles of Universal Design solve accessibility issues for the most significant number of people. Special needs children, people who have become seriously injured, people living with a debilitating disease, people with sensory limitations or intellectual limitations, and last but not least, the people who are planning to stay in their homes for as long as possible while Aging in Place all benefit from accessible homes. The need to provide for disabilities during elder construction or home modifications for special needs children empowers us to create environments wherein people can function effectively. As our society evolves away from institutionalized care, editing and making a home more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing for children, older adults, and their visitors benefits the comfort and lifestyle of the entire family. By the way, how are you planning for your future when it concerns editing your existing home which may no longer fit your family's evolving needs?

Increase Your Accessibility

Let's start by defining what is meant by a home edit intended to accentuate an accessible home. First of all, it's main purpose is to increase organizational skills and to reduce clutter which promotes home safety and lifestyle trends. It produces a home that is more visually appealing, efficient, and functional. Going further, the identification and removal of a home's architectural barriers using Universal Design home modifications completes the need for safety and independence promoting a healthy living environment. Forward-thinking homeowners, in turn, experience a better quality of life from the benefits of a home edit. Finally the accessible home stands as the defined course for a Universal Designed home. In these edited accessible homes, performing as a Universal Design contractor, T-Square Company in Austin, Texas identifies a home's architectural barriers and removes them during a design/build remodel to increase safety and independence.  Accessible homes of Austin, or anywhere else for that matter, provide homeowners with a means to stay healthy, independent, and safe. People exhibiting any form of disability can live comfortably as well as fully functional individuals.

Certified Aging In Place Specialist 

Tweet and understand this fact of life!  Accessible homes will be needed by everyone at some uncertain time within their life. This edit or change can be prompted for ourselves, a family member, or a visitor. This action defines the Aging in Place concept and its associated CAPS accreditation, a nationally registered credential offered through the NAHB.  Its function is to keep people in their homes longer and provide safety and independence to all homeowners. What is more, Universal Design segues seamlessly into Aging in Place.

Discover the Principles Of Universal Design


ADA_kitchen_5
 
 
For instance, as in the above photograph, the wheelchair accessible kitchen is comfortably sized for a clear five-foot turning radius to avoid backing up for any approach. Clear 30x48-inch approach areas for all work areas and appliances are a significant part of the more-open design. The final kitchen design is tailored to the homeowner's abilities, needs, and interests. Universally, pull-out shelves expand workspaces at activity centers, while roll-under access is present underneath the stove, prep, and sink work areas. A higher and deeper base cabinet kick space area of 6x9 inches provides better forward wheel clearance for the wheelchair, enabling the user to get closer to the cabinet workspace. A raised dishwasher offers greater access for sight and reach distances to dishes, and lowered microwaves along with other appliances like ovens solve additional reach distance problems making it easier to live with a disability. Open storage areas without doors to interfere with access is a better solution. Having multiple countertop heights allows everyone universal access to a chosen work surface. A successfully designed kitchen isn't about cabinet style or the composition of the countertop. It is more about the ways the design can support the user's personal needs and functionality.
 
ADA Kitchen Cabinetry

Because everyone ages differently and has different needs and wants over time, a universal solution providing a design for all is needed. The factors that constitute the Aging in Place market for individuals is based on their genetic makeup and lifestyle, including their choices chosen while living and their living environment. These factors have brought about the need for Universal Design. This process is the design of products, services, and environments usable by as many people as possible regardless of age, ability, or situation avoiding future adaptation or specialized alterations. It provides the most significant safety and access for home guests or occupants and is undetectable when done well. Since so few homes share the accessibility offered by Universal Design, to satisfy the needs of a particular household member brought about by an accident, an illness, or simply the aging process, there will always be a need for customized and prudent accessibility features.  A seasoned CAPS-accredited remodeling professional has the ability to accomplish this desire by producing a truly safe and functional design. This same competent design/build home remodeling company that understands and practices Aging in Place home modifications should accomplish the work according to the principles of Universal Design ensuring your family's safety and accessibility. Certified Aging in Place specialists are listed in Washington on the NAHB CAPS website.

Home Accessibility Help

The concept of the accessible home has evolved beyond the basic grab bars and ramps to one in which accessibility is built into the basic design.  Universal Design makes living in a home easier for people of all ages and abilities.  Accessible design is beautiful and functional and never needs to have any institutional appearance.  As our aging baby boomer population ages, the need for accessibility in the home is becoming ever more critical. Our new way of viewing the basic home in our society coupled with our antiquated architecture is giving way to a revolution in home design. Ordinary homeowners with extraordinary challenges can partner up with CAPS design professionals, architects, and their own families to create homes to restore capabilities, independence, and grace to daily living.

 
Aging in Place home modifications incorporating Universal Design principles are available through T-Square Company in the Austin area. We have an A-plus rating with the local BBB and have over 30 years of accessible remodeling experience. We are additionally an accredited Aging in Place specialist offering complete aging in place services. Each design/build project is customized around your personal needs. We increase your accessibility using Universal Design principles. Call 512-444-0097 today to begin the accessible second chapter of your life while remaining safe and secure in your existing home. 
 
David L. Traut, CAPS (#1636580)
 
As an answer to his clients requests over the years, David has recently published a book entitled "Age in Place at Home: Adapting the Home Environment for All Generations". The book reflects on thirty years of accessibility improvements and identifies why our traditional homes specifically lack this very basic need. It is available on Amazon and stands as a reference book for increasing home accessibility using the principles of Universal Design in every room of the home. Order your copy today.
 
Accessible Homes Of Austin
     

    




 

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David L. Traut, CAPS Member in Austin, Texas/Aging in Place Design

Posted byDavid L. Traut, CAPS on Thu, Jul 27, 2023 @ 09:07 AM

The biggest and most important challenge for any homeowner wanting to increase home accessibility using Universal Design to Age in Place is qualifying a chosen builder or remodeler. Consumers must verify the tradesman or professional has both the experience and knowledge for understanding any requirements used to increase the client’s safety and accessibility within the home. This is the only variable a homeowner controls in the building process. You are about to give a complete stranger your trust in a very serious matter of which you most likely know little about beyond articles read on the internet or hearsay. All professionals selected must be knowledgeable and experienced concerning Universal Design projects. The relevant personnel having job input concerning the client consist of architects, designers, builders, remodelers, and any therapists or extended healthcare workers who are involved with any household occupant requiring home modifications. I have witnessed clients who are completely overwhelmed and frustrated when interviewing several groups of building professionals including subcontractors with overlapping scopes of work. They become confused by the large amount of information gathered. Be advised that too many cooks in the kitchen can spoil a successful job outcome. CAPS certified accessibility specialists are trained to be better capable of helping with both the design and construction phases of the project. Most CAPS members have had coursework in Universal Design. However, you would not choose a recent law graduate over an experienced defense attorney to represent you in a serious matter. Even though both people have law degrees, there is only one path to choose. The remodeling business is no exception. All CAPS certified professionals are not equal. Some come from different professional backgrounds other than construction while others have not used their acquired knowledge long enough to make a difference. Ask about their experience and how long they have practiced Aging in Place remodeling. A well-seasoned contractor has seen what issues frequently come up in making improvements for Aging in Place and knows which methods he or she has used to overcome certain problematic areas of the home.

Aging in Place remodeling in Austin

The aging societal changes and inventory of inaccessible existing houses created the need for a CAPS certification program. This designation program, offered through the National Association of Home Builders, NAHB, in collaboration with The American Association of Retired Persons or AARP, incorporates components of assessment, technical knowledge and management skills related to home modifications used to help people stay at home safely and independently for a longer period of time. The program was developed in 2001. The CAPS program connects responsible professionals with home owners needing specialized accessibility services on an ever increasing basis. Ordinary homeowners with extraordinary challenges partner up with experienced CAPS professionals and their own families. Working as a team, the trained CAPS specialist along with any family caretakers or therapists is able to identify the day to day problems weighing on those with health limitations. Aging in Place services provided by a specialized remodeling contractor ensures all accessibility issues of the home are accomplished correctly. The CAPS credential is a nationwide initiative and many construction and design professionals are taking advantage of the helpful training across the nation. Always check his or her credentials to verify the remodeler holds an active CAPS certification and is familiar with Universal Design. All registered CAPS program graduates and remodeling companies are listed in a national registry in Washington DC. The information is found by calling 1-800-368-5242 or by simply visiting their website at: http:www.nahb.org/en/learn/designations/certified-aging-in-place-specialist.aspx.

Certified Aging In Place Specialist

Experienced CAPS certified remodelers have the knowledge, expertise and sensitivity to provide modifications for making a home safer, more accessible, and better suited to the client’s required needs. A professional CAPS certified builder or remodeler is able to correctly assess the costs associated with an accessible design and lead the homeowner in the right direction adhering to the available budget costs to accomplish the modifications needed. Home modifications, accessibility products, and barrier free design greatly promote the independence and functional ability of physically challenged and aging individuals. Designing around specific physical conditions for accessibility lessens the impact of arthritis, restricted mobility, or loss of vision by using combinations of products, concepts, and techniques available today. Keep in mind when hiring a Certified Aging in Place Specialist they offer a service rather than a product. Each CAPS member draws from a different knowledge base, and approaches each project in a distinct way.

T-Square Company in Austin, Texas, has been producing successful Aging in Place projects for over a decade. They are a CAPS certified remodeler and offering design/build Aging in Place projects using Universal Design features. Call 512-444-0097 to discuss your project today and learn how you can achieve better accessibility within your existing home.

Incidentally, David L. Traut, the President/owner of T-Square Company has recently published a book entitled "Age in Place at Home: Adapting the Home Environment for All Generations". It is available on Amazon and stands as a reference book for increasing home accessibility incorporating essential Universal Design features.

Download Our Free Aging In Place Remodeling Considerations Checklist

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David Traut's Recently Published Book/Age in Place at Home (revisited)

Posted byDavid L. Traut, CAPS on Mon, Jun 26, 2023 @ 11:06 AM

 

After over a year of writing to fulfill my customers' requests, my new book, "Age in Place At Home," is finally available for purchase from Amazon.  Go to the link below to order my paperback book, which was released in late November, 2022. It provides a great guideline for using the principles of Universal Design in new home construction and/or remodeling for every room in your home. Get your copy today.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/r.html?C=2Z24ENUUAEWUK&K=13Y7YU7PKKYAC&M=urn:rtn:msg:20221010201802eb9acb7b24004a4785cd2ec1d4f0p0na&R=3R6MK9WDXJPH7&T=C&U=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0BHTV28RV%3Fref_%3Dpe_3052080_276849420&H=7FWEPMGCH0TT8LN6SKPMUOCVJNYA&ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

A home's adaptability is one of the most desired qualities within a person's home during some point in their life as their or their family's needs change. These specific needs to enhance accessibility can be short term while recovering from an accident or illness at any age, or  these home alterations may become permanent.  The special needs may concern an adult or a child. Universal design principles don't discriminate between any family members regardless of age, size, or ability. Every family member is included. Learn how to adapt your home environment to satisfy your family's needs in David Traut's new book, Age in Place at Home.

Age in Place at Home Book

 

T-Square Company, in Austin, Texas, practices Universal Design accessibility to segue into Aging in Place seamlessly. The essence of my book is to advise people so they understand why our homes are obsolete to us, the homeowners, the minute they are completed.  This fact is represented by the methodology used to create the traditional home. They are built to satisfy our immediate lifestyle and physical needs on the day we close on the house, with no regard for the future. The new home lacks adaptability to satisfy our needs once our bodies change beyond the purchase date. If we had incorporated the Universal Design principles into these new homes, those same homes would adapt to our changing family needs including every inhabitant regardless of age, size, or ability. The lack of home adaptability is not the consumers fault, they have always been unaware of how to reference the problem and accepted what the housing market gave them. They were unaware of what to ask for. Hence, the status-quo of building has been perpetuated  for over a hundred years.

 

T-Square Company offers all types of Austin Universal Design home modifications to better prepare you and your family for your unforeseeable home accessibility future on a design/build basis. Existing, traditional homes must be modified to increase their accessibility using correct designs. Become aware and embrace the knowledge that the principles of Universal Design offer greater home accessibility for every one of your home members, from your father to your son. This is why the process is known as inclusive design. 

 


David L. Traut, CAPS, has been involved with accessibility for nearly thirty years for the VA, HUD,  and private residences.  Contact me at 512-444-0097 for a professional home assessment to guide your future accessibility needs or at www.tsquareco.com. Simply fill out your information on the contact us page.

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What Is A Forever Home?/Why Is Universal Design So Important?

Posted byDavid L. Traut, CAPS on Fri, Jun 16, 2023 @ 10:06 AM

Have you grown tired and frustrated over time when periodic health challenges emerge affecting you or a family member identifying your home as inaccessible, if even for a short time during recovery? Have you observed other families facing this common dilemma? Are you coming to the realization yours and almost all other existing homes lack flexibility or adaptability having reached their potential? An accident or illness brings the undeniable need for home access out into the open. If you have suddenly become caregiver for your spouse or another family member, you know you are not alone in recognizing this dysfunctional housing phenomenon. Many home caregivers face challenges inside their private residences because traditional homes lack accessibility due to their antiquated architecture. There simply isn't enough room to properly care for another person within a given living space. But where did this commonly seen lack of home accessibility in nearly all homes come from? Perpetual, status quo building techniques, and affordability provide the answers. Over time, along with the exponential birth rate of the baby boomers in the late 40s and 50s, the need for more housing created sprawling American suburbs to accommodate the growing families. Developments sprang up with few architectural options while affordability was the main concern. Today, these same homes slowly and increasingly signify outdated and obsolete architectural barriers exposing a true lack of accessibility for the very people inhabiting them. The situation is ever more expanding in time since the greatest majority of individuals want to age where they currently reside. Our homes are built for shelter, but their construction is guided by designs and dimensions demonstrating a denial or ignorance of true human abilities.  It is acknowledged any family living with a disability among any of its family members always psychologically benefits from familiar surroundings. Therefore, moving is not always the best option. Fortunately it doesn't have to be this way with correct planning.

Because everyone is living longer, they will experience many life-challenging events during their extended lifespan. The desire to remain in one's current home is not driven by age. This need is a reaction to and the result of life's experience. The universal design principles are used to increase safety and independence within most current homes. Certain common sense home modifications are typically required to increase accessibility and use. These modifications include, but are not limited to, no-step entrances, wider doorways, the installation of ramps, inclusive kitchen modifications, accessible bathroom adaptations, and the application of smooth, non-skid flooring. When planning on what modifications are needed, always make a list of the existing home's most problematic areas for any or all of its residents. This basic desire is creating unprecedented nationwide challenges and a niche market in the remodeling industry known as Aging in Place. The majority of Americans over the age of 45 want to continue living in an environment they are well acquainted with throughout their maturing years. These people are looking for safety, security, ease of use, and comfort for their forever home before they must vacate due to specialized needs. Clearly, the act of Aging in Place occurs during a period of time when mature homeowners or seniors have the ability to make decisions to better support an increased quality of life. There are three segments served within the Aging in Place marketplace. The first segment includes those homeowners without urgent needs. The second segment focuses on a group of homeowners with progressive health needs. The third sector involves those people who have undergone traumatic health changes or accidental injuries necessitating immediate modifications to the home. The choice to Age in Place does not mean the homeowner has to do everything in the future by themselves. Aging in Place principles supports responsible people living life with dignity and independence even when outside assistance is essential.

But why should we eventually all face the disruptions of modifying our domains to ensure we can remain in them following a health change in life?  It is long past due for us to redefine the built environment with what we know to be true. The answer lies within a forever home. This unique home opens up all rooms to all visitors. A forever home is a home you can imagine living in for a lifetime and one that will meet the needs of all residents throughout their lives. This thoughtful living environment is designed and constructed universally to conform to all residents diverse needs and abilities at any age. A forever home is unlike a starter home, and each occurs at different times during a homeowner's life. A starter home is a smaller home needed when you are starting out. This home represents a stepping stone and is a popular option concerning younger homeowners because it's more affordable. The forever home has the ability, through proactive planning and existing home modifications, for a family or all family members to live in the house for a very long time prior to anyone needing full time professional assistance. This home contains accessibility for everyone, regardless of their age, size, or abilities. During life's voyage, the forever home should become a reality as early as possible. This reality means the family can enjoy the comfortable and livable home longer. It has adequate access through wider entries and doorways, a larger kitchen, larger bathrooms, larger bedrooms, and an accessible front and back yard. The more expensive larger forever home has room to comfortably maneuver about when mobility devices or strollers are needed because architectural barriers are nonexistent.

If you have had enough of the status-quo building techniques which created our inaccessible home inventory, you and your family can put your collective thoughts together in order to design and build a house that will last a lifetime. You don't have to discard your favorite design pictures or ideas. The same elevations can be incorporated into the forever home; but rearranged into a Universal Design floorplan. Key questions should be addressed for this uber-customized home. Your family is aware of any lifestyle challenges you face due to progressive diseases or hereditary complications within the group. You know everyone gets older, and in doing so some member might lose cognitive or mobility functions. Your new uncluttered universal floorplan will accommodate a young family with children or an unexpected in-law coming to live with you. It is easy to maneuver inside this universal home going from a completely accessible bathroom to a family gathering in the adaptable kitchen accompanied by a well designed living area. Within the house, you should plan flexible rooms which will accommodate double and triple duty as needed by your family over time. Designing a forever home has many benefits including emotional, economic, and environmental aspects. What's more, you are building a multi-generational setting that can be passed on to the following generations. 

Aging In Place Home Modifications

Wheelchair Accessible Universal Design Kitchen in Austin

 

According to the AARP, 80 percent of older homeowners overwhelmingly prefer to Age in Place, which means living in a home safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age or ability level. People with disabilities are aging but some healthy individuals are aging into a disability. Aging in Place strictly deals with the remodeling of existing homes. Therefore, to Age in Place, owners need to gradually modify their homes as they mature by increasing access and safety using the principles of Universal Design before a life-changing event forces making sudden architectural changes. The Aging in Place market in the U.S. today is influenced by the increasing size of the aging population, the market desire to remain in one's home, a constantly increasing cultural diversity, and the aging housing stock associated with reduced affordability. The desire to remain in existing homes is driven by social attachments via a network of neighbors, friends, and family. Comfortable positive aging is a way of living rather than a state of being. What's more, seniors who took a proactive approach in modifying their homes over time offer peace of mind to their loved ones or caretakers who know their family members are living safely and independently in their homes. 

Certified Aging In Place Specialist

 

T-Square Company is one of Austin's premier Aging in Place contractors offering complete Aging in Place services from home assessments to design/builds. We have over 30 years of accessibility knowledge to share with our clients making their home life less complicated. We hold a nationally recognized CAPS certification (Certified Aging in Place Specialist) offered by the National Association of Home Builders, NAHB. Contact T-Square Company today to find out how to proceed toward an accessible second chapter of life while your aging parents remain in their home. We offer complete Aging in Place design services.

By the way, David Traut, the President/owner of T-Square Company has recently published a book entitled "Age in Place at Home: Adapting the Home Environment for All Generations". It is available on Amazon and stands as a reference book for increasing home accessibility through Universal Design.

Download Our Free Aging In Place Remodeling Considerations Checklist

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What is Universal Design and the Seven Principles Involved?

Posted byDavid L. Traut, CAPS on Tue, May 16, 2023 @ 08:05 AM

Perhaps you haven't personally experienced a problematic living situation concerning your home yet, but you might know someone who has. It could concern a family member, a friend, or just a person in your neighborhood. These unfortunate scenarios are too common in our society, as everyone is living longer due to modern medicine; but this situation is not age-related. Health problems can appear unexpectedly at any age. Our traditional homes commonly lack accessibility for any residents or their visitors who are even slightly challenged. The truth is, all of our houses are built for unchallenged, healthy people of a "normal" size. The moment any diversity to what each of us knows as near perfect health expresses itself, the realization we need a better and more adaptable "mousetrap" comes to mind in regards to our home. The doors in the house aren't wide enough, the rooms are too small, the hallway is too narrow, the floors aren't level or are slippery, the stairs aren't negotiable, the bathroom facilities aren't useable, and the kitchen is not user- friendly. The list goes on-and-on when you are living in a status-quo home. But now people can become educated and know what to ask for before a life-changing problem arises. Rest assured, you have the ability to proactively prepare your traditional home for future life changes before they happen. Hence, there is no need for you or your family to suddenly become trapped inside it's walls! Let's come to understand a design solution exists which has been stigmatized because of it's decades-long association with disability. Learn to ask for it by name.

Universal Design, also known as barrier-free design and design for all, refers to broad-spectrum ideas meant to produce buildings, products and environments that are inherently accessible to non-challenged people, older people, people of any age who are mentally or physically challenged, and people overcoming an illness or physically-altering accident. In general, it represents a universal need in future housing and pertains to adding safety and accessibility in an existing home for all people regardless of their size or physical well being at any time. The purpose of the design is to provide equal access to anyone into and throughout the home. Universal Design adaptations have a broad market appeal to everyone for achieving ease-of-use and convenience accommodating a certain reality. The reality is that all people exist along a continuum of human performance as per their personal traits and characteristics regardless of their age. A universal approach to design takes into account that everyone has varying degrees of ability and disability; rather than someone is either fully-functional or disabled. Universal Design is neither a design style or trend but is an approach to designing home access for as wide a range of diverse people as possible.

As a solution to our inaccessible housing predicament, applying Universal Design is important because current design standards for housing do not address the design needs of more than one-third of our population. Too often, the designers of homes allow the built environment to define the capabilities of the resident, rather than the opposite being true. That has always been the problem evidenced by the current inaccessible housing inventory. People typically purchase a house according to their needs of the day, never considering their future needs. This way of thinking has perpetuated the problem of inaccessibility within traditional homes. Incorporating Universal Design principles into today's houses allows for our antiquated architecture to be redefined by both our changing human needs and abilities. It has the ability to span all generations of inhabitants. The sooner the principles exist in a home, the longer it can be enjoyed by everyone; because no one is excluded. Home accessibility should be a concern no matter what your age. If your concerns are not for you, barring any life changing accident, they could concern the accessibility and safety for another generation's independence. As we become more life-experienced, our society is beginning to realize our homes should be flexible to accommodate future life changes. This benefit alone will afford adapted housing the ability to conform to our needs. Hence, society will understand the significance of a forever home. The physical life changes involved can be long-term or of short duration while recovering from an accident or disease. Regardless, the home is prepared for what comes next through the use of Universal Design.

The recent Aging in Place phenomena deals with reactive home modifications to existing homes due to health changes of one or more residents. The adaptations allow the inhabitants to remain within their home safely as they age. A planned Universal Design home quietly and proactively addresses abrupt issues without calling attention to anyone. The design simply anticipates the homeowner's changing needs. The modifications can be performed room by room overtime or all at once. Furthermore, Universal Design segues seamlessly into what is required for Aging in Place. However, we cannot conceive or solve all future situations for everyone because we all age differently with our own list of specific needs. In extreme cases, a specialized accessibility design comes into play customized around a single person's needs.

But what about the costs involved in a home using Universal Design? Utilizing Universal Design in a new build home isn't necessarily more expensive than a status-quo traditional inaccessible home. It generally approaches a three-to-four-percent overall increase. The same building techniques are involved in both; but the Universal Design home is designed with more forethought and expertise to improve safety, accessibility, and comfort. Consequently, if you are remodeling an existing home, incorporating the principles of Universal Design, it is more costly on the order of fifteen-to-twenty-percent because you not only have the updated building costs to consider but the demolition costs as well. The same remodeling costs for the preparation of a revised layout are involved with any type renovation prior to the modifications beginning, whether the final appearance is traditional or universal in nature. 

Universal Design/Builds in Austin by T-Square Company

Basically, Universal Design principles involve the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. Using Universal Design, there are seven design criteria which must be met to be considered a Universal Design no matter which area of the home you are referring to. Any design must be (1) equally useful to everyone, (2) have flexibility in it's usefulness, (3) be simple and intuitive, (4) be perceived by everyone, (5) have a tolerance for error, (6) require little physical effort, and (7) it must maintain an adequate area for approach and use. Any complexity or discriminating attribute to a design will doom it in terms of  being considered universal in nature. However, what better way can you improve on a home's total visitability?  The term visitability pertains to anyone entering freely into a home, having unrestricted maneuverability throughout the home, and having the ability to enter and utilize a bathroom's facilities without assistance. 

Discover the Principles Of Universal Design

Whether you refer to this needed housing revolution today as accessible design, inclusive design, or Universal Design, it is all about making a home safe, attractive, and easy to use for all residents. It has nothing to do with the age, agility, or status of life for anyone living within the home. The main intent of this way of thinking is to be sure the inhabitants and their visitors are equally able to enjoy their home throughout their entire lifetime. This way Aging in Place can be accomplished without the expense and hassle of having to make periodic or interfering abrupt changes to the home to meet a person's ever-changing physical needs. With Universal Design, you have the ability to proactively plan for all stages of your life cycle using forethought which, once discovered, you ultimately find is just common sense. Even if you are in perfect health, you can be disrupted by a minor mishap. A more serious injury changes things forever once you no longer have all your abilities.  Universal design ideas do not strictly deal with accessibility or Aging in Place design and does not implement precise ADA standards; but it does offer flexibility to add accessories now and later to those planning ahead or to the end-user. It also provides for a wide range of human performance characteristics for the way people use spaces within their homes including well integrated usability features. Hence, a Universal Design/build project is appealing to all users.  

Can you envision building a house as a young adult that you can live in safely and comfortably while you age no matter what your basic physical needs require? In this home, visitors are never problematic if they exhibit limited mobility or other issues. This flexible Universal Design home contains wider doorways of 36-inches or more and adequately lit hallway widths of 42-48-inches to accommodate a stroller, wheelchair or walker. There is a wide-open feeling of comfort throughout the house's main living areas in the bathroom, kitchen, and living area that do not restrict moving about. A five-foot turning radius is observed throughout the home. Wood blocking is installed behind the finished walls in all wet areas to accommodate secure grab bar installations at the proper time. The towel racks in the kitchen are installed so they can double as grab bars once you become unsteady from lack of balance. All the no-step entryways from the front door to the shower entrance are smooth to prevent tripping from high thresholds and all flooring transitions are level. Non-slip flooring is installed, especially in wet areas, using cork or smaller floor tiles which in turn increase friction from the grout lines. All doors and faucets are controlled by lever hardware. Sinks inside the bathroom and kitchen have roll-under capability. Within the sink base cabinets, doors or roll-out shelving are installed until the roll-under design is needed. Full-extension drawers and pull-out shelves are installed in lieu of doors. The cabinet tops and work areas throughout the house are placed at varying heights to promote adaptability. This universal designed home is barrier-free without looking modified and is accessible to everyone no matter their age, size, or capability of movement. Furthermore, this home is usable by everyone from your father to your son.

David L. Traut, CAPS the owner of T-Square Company in Austin, Texas is one of the select group of professionals to earn the Certified Aging In Place Specialist (CAPS) designation, identifying him as a home remodeler and builder with the skills and knowledge necessary to remodel or modify a home to meet the unique needs of the older population, disabled owners, or their visitors. Consequently, David is certified in Universal Design in the US and Australia. T-Square Company is a Universal Design contractor offering a full compliment of Aging in Place services including bathroom modifications for elderly clients with special needs. Each design/build project contains the principles of Universal Design. The modifications will be customized to fit your personal needs while increasing your accessibility. Call 512-444-0097 today to begin the accessible second chapter of your life while remaining safe and secure in your existing home. CAPS #1636580

As an answer to his clients requests over the years, David has recently published a book entitled "Age in Place at Home: Adapting the Home Environment for All Generations". The book reflects on thirty years of accessibility improvements and identifies why our traditional homes specifically lack this very basic need. It is available on Amazon and stands as a reference book for increasing home accessibility using the principles of Universal Design in every room of the home. The book dwells on this inclusive design concept as a solution to our current housing dilemma.

     Certified Aging In Place Specialist

 

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Forever Homes/Aging Parents Caregiver Guide

Posted byDavid L. Traut, CAPS on Tue, Apr 11, 2023 @ 11:04 AM

If you have suddenly become caregiver for your aging parents, you are not alone. Everyone is living longer only to experience many life-challenging events during an extended lifespan, but some people require a little assistance. It could involve technology issues or helping them determine a path forward while living in their home. Many aspects are involved with senior living solutions, and the correct route is determined on an individual family basis. The desire to remain in one's current home is not driven by age. This need is a reaction to and the result of life's experience. Any family living with a disability among any of its family members will always benefit from familiar surroundings. To increase safety and independence within your current home, certain modifications to increase accessibility and use are typically required. These modifications include but are not limited to wider doorways, the installation of ramps, inclusive kitchen modifications, accessible bathroom modifications, and the application of smooth, non-skid flooring. When planning on what modifications are needed, always make a list of the home's most problematic areas for any or all of its residents. This basic desire is creating unprecedented nationwide challenges and a niche market in the remodeling industry known as Aging in Place. The majority of Americans over the age of 45 want to continue living in an environment they are well acquainted with throughout their maturing years. These people are looking for safety, security, ease of use, and comfort for their forever home before they must vacate due to specialized needs.

A forever home is unlike a starter home, and each occurs at different times during a resident's life. A starter home is a smaller home needed when you are starting out. It represents a stepping stone. This is a popular option concerning younger homeowners because it's more affordable. The forever home has the ability, through proactive planning and existing home modifications, for a family or all family members to live in the house for a very long time prior to anyone needing full time professional assistance. This home contains accessibility for everyone, regardless of their age, size, or abilities. During life's voyage, the forever home should become a reality as early as possible. This reality means the family can enjoy the comfortable home longer. It has adequate access through wider entries and doorways, a larger kitchen, larger bathrooms, larger bedrooms, and an accessible front and back yard. The more expensive larger forever home has room to comfortably maneuver about when using mobility devices since architectural barriers are nonexistent. 

Aging In Place Home Modifications

But where did this commonly seen lack of home accessibility in nearly all homes come from? Perpetual, status quo building techniques, and affordability provide the answers. Over time, along with the exponential birth rate of the baby boomers in the late 40s and 50s, the need for more housing created sprawling American suburbs to accommodate the growing families. Developments sprang up with few architectural options while affordability was the main concern. Today, these same homes slowly and increasingly signify outdated and obsolete architectural barriers exposing a true lack of accessibility for the very people inhabiting them. The situation is ever more expanding in time since the greatest majority of individuals want to age where they currently reside. 

Aging In Place Remodel in Austin

According to the AARP, 80 percent of older homeowners overwhelmingly prefer to Age in Place, which means living in a home safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age or ability level. People with disabilities are aging but some healthy individuals are aging into a disability. Aging in Place strictly deals with the remodeling of existing homes. Therefore, to Age in Place, owners need to gradually modify their homes as they mature by increasing access and safety using the principles of Universal Design before a life-changing event forces making sudden architectural changes. The Aging in Place market in the U.S. today is influenced by the increasing size of the aging population, the market desire to remain in one's home, a constantly increasing cultural diversity, and the aging housing stock associated with reduced affordability. The desire to remain in existing homes is driven by social attachments via a network of neighbors, friends, and family. Comfortable positive aging is a way of living rather than a state of being.  What's more, seniors who took a proactive approach in modifying their homes over time offer peace of mind to their loved ones or caretakers who know their family members are living safely and independently in their homes. 

Certified Aging In Place Specialist

Clearly, the act of Aging in Place occurs during a period of time when mature homeowners or seniors have the ability to make decisions to better support an increased quality of life. There are three segments served within the Aging in Place marketplace. The first segment includes those homeowners without urgent needs. The second segment focuses on a group of homeowners with progressive health needs. The third sector involves those people who have undergone traumatic health changes or accidental injuries necessitating immediate modifications to the home. The choice to Age in Place does not mean the homeowner has to do everything in the future by themselves. Aging in Place principles supports responsible people living life with dignity and independence even when outside assistance is essential.

T-Square Company is one of Austin's premier Aging in Place contractors offering complete Aging in Place services from home assessments to design/builds. We have over 30 years of accessibility knowledge to share with our clients making their home life less complicated. We hold a nationally recognized CAPS certification (Certified Aging in Place Specialist) offered by the National Association of Home Builders, NAHB. Contact T-Square Company today to find out how to proceed toward an accessible second chapter of life while your aging parents remain in their home. We offer complete Aging in Place design services.

By the way, David Traut, the President/owner of T-Square Company has recently published a book entitled "Age in Place at Home: Adapting the Home Environment for All Generations". It is available on Amazon and stands as a reference book for increasing home accessibility through Universal Design.

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