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. 

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. 

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.

Let's face it, accessible homes are needed by all of us at some time during our lives. This is true whether it's for ourselves, a family member, or a guest. The need for handicap remodeling is certainly not driven by age but is a result of life's experience. Any family living with disability among any of it's generations within the group can always benefit from additional accessibility.   This will in turn increase safety and independence for all people involved as they go about life. Except under extreme situations, complete ADA-compliance normally isn't required for a remodel used to increase residential accessibility. The ADA rules are a great place to begin a design when dealing with a lack of home accessibility. However, any and all compliant items are a great help for everyone. The ADA specifications deal with explicit measurements, but these stringent rules do not apply to many people. Diverse body sizes and abilities are overlooked, and everyone is dealt with on average. More so, only if modifications involve government backed housing and funding are the ADA guidelines followed to the letter. In other words, the guidelines aren't a consideration when dealing with a single private family residence. So how did the ADA guidelines come about?

During the 1960's, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law, protecting the civil rights of those with disabilities. This law was merely a beginning, acknowledging a part of our population was dealing with disabilities. Although this law did not directly address disabilities per se, it served as a foundational piece of civil rights legislation. Disability advocates applied the language used in the Civil Rights Act for later legislation concerning civil rights for those with disabilities. Later on, the Americans with Disabilities Act, also known as ADA, as we know it today began. First implemented in 1990, it was our government’s first step toward addressing the needs of citizens living with disabilities. Yet as technology and our culture evolved, so did the challenges faced by disabled Americans. Accessibility became a hurdle not only in the physical world but also the vast digital realm of today. The law is constantly evolving while changing with the times; thereby making everyday life easier for individuals with unique needs. 

Disability is a complex phenomenon representing an interaction between one's physical impairments, the activities they need to perform, and the architectural barriers within the space in which this situation occurs. The terminology and jargon used for disabilities evolves regularly whereas, "handicapped" is no longer acceptable. It is no longer merely a description of intellectual or physical impairments. Each individual with similar impairments describes his or her limitations differently. The blind don't experience their world the same as a person with deafness and so on. Physically challenged has become the more socially accepted description of a person with an impairment, regardless of age. No matter how old you are, you should periodically evaluate your residence to determine whether it suits you not just for the present but the future. Your personal home assessments will be revised every time your living situation changes. Whether childproofing for a newborn, making a home more accessible following a sickness or unfortunate accident to someone in the family, or making a toilet area safer for an aging residing parent, there will be an immediate evolution to your primary domicile. These same life-span design features become more important if you believe you're past the age of wanting to move and are relishing the thought of aging in your own home, no matter what physical limitations you might later develop. This way of thinking has created a niche residential market known as Aging in Place. Solving Aging in Place issues will soon become the number one challenge concerning the present obsolete housing inventory in our country. Incorporating smart aging design concepts like a roll-in-shower into a home will attract a larger group of buyers when you decide to finally sell your home. Preparing for one of those highly likely events involving someone in your home needing room modifications for even a short time while recovering from surgery is surely a wise move. 

In our daily lives, we all know what to do if the front door is no longer secure, if the kitchen sink backs up, or if the air conditioning suddenly goes out on a hot day. However, for those suddenly facing a catastrophic illness, life can suddenly be a scary and confusing place in which our existing homes are no longer a sanctuary but become a prison within the nightmare of limited accessibility. With the onset of a life-altering illness or catastrophic injury, knowing who to call to solve problems faced performing our usual daily tasks suddenly becomes very challenging.

Knowledgeable construction and design professionals are utilizing the CAPS training across the nation. CAPS stands for Certified Aging In Place Specialist. This designation is taught through the National Association of Home Builders in collaboration with AARP. CAPS connects responsible professionals with home owners who need these services on an ever-increasing basis. CAPS is a nationwide initiative and all active CAPS members can be found at nahb.org/CAPS. Look for the CAPS designation as a reliable way to identify professionals to modify your home or build a new forever home that is designed for a lifespan. CAPS graduates receive training about the technical/construction aspects and learn about the unique aspects of working with older Americans. They must take formal business training to maintain their credential through continuing education and subscribe to a Code of Ethics.

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. T-Square Company offers a full compliment of Aging in Place services including bathroom modifications for elderly clients with special needs. Each design/build project will be customized to fit your personal needs 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.

If you have made a decision, along with the support of your family, to remain in your existing home while you Age in Place, you must determine a definite pathway forward to ensure your desires are successfully met. This is a sign of the times as today over 80% of homeowners share your desire to remain in their familiar home, surrounded by familiar surroundings and neighbors. Amongst any caregivers involved in your life, you will also need to obtain help from a trained and seasoned Certified Aging in Place Specialist.

Fortunately, construction and design professionals are taking advantage of the CAPS training across the nation. This designation is taught through the National Association of Home Builders in collaboration with AARP. CAPS connects responsible professionals with home owners who need these services on an ever-increasing basis. CAPS stands for Certified Aging in Place Specialist. It is a construction credential that has builders, architects, remodelers, designers and even occupational therapists buzzing. Aging in Place principles are changes designed to custom fit your existing home to you and your family's needs as time goes by. CAPS design takes your current and future circumstances into consideration and the principles focus on elegant, aesthetically enriching, barrier-free environments. Home modifications do not need to look institutional and this is why many seniors are resisting the very changes that can help them the most. Be aware, the vast majority of uncertified builders and remodelers do not have the knowledge and training to perform home modifications for Aging in Place. Take for instance when you are considering installing a grab bar, which seems like a simple endeavor, understand that a run of the mill contractor or handyman has no idea of the safety regulations involved or the knowledge concerning where and how to install the grab bar. This leaves the consumer in an unsafe predicament. However, if performed correctly, any modifications will actually increase the value of your home because they appeal to multiple generations of home buyers. 

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. T-Square Company offers a full compliment of Aging in Place services for their clientele. These services include the initial home assessment, a design followed by a detailed drawing, all city permits and fees, and the construction or remodeling work involved. David has been successfully operating as a CAPS professional for nearly thirty years while performing his design/build projects. His clients include many members of the private sector, the VA, and HUD. David is a CAPS certified remodeler and master builder providing a one-stop-shop which is even more valuable to anyone wanting to Age in Place. As a master craftsman, his construction knowledge enables any Aging in Place design to come to fruition via practicality and best practices. 

David always practices what he preaches to his clients. He takes an inductive qualitative research approach with every client, because everyone has diverse physical needs. As an answer to his clients requests over the years, he 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. David is certified in the United States and Australia in the Universal Design process. Universal Design elements can be installed into a home at any time avoiding the need for reactive remodeling following a health crisis. This thoughtful proactive design process segues seamlessly into what is required for Aging in Place. Furthermore, Universal Design prevents the need to perform future modifications except under extreme circumstances. The presence of Universal Design provides access for both wheelchairs and walkers and perhaps avoids future injuries because you have accessibility. 

For additional information about the CAPS program, visit nahb.org/CAPS.  For more information about T-Square Company, visit www.tsquareco.com or call 512-444-0097 to schedule a home assessment by a local Austin CAPS professional.

So, just exactly what takes place once you schedule a home assessment? During the home assessment for increasing accessibility, the structural changes needed for the client will be noted and documented through sketches, photos, and conversation. CAPS professionals are generally paid by the hour or receive a flat fee per initial visit or project because they are offering a service backed by education and experience. Typically an assessment takes approximately 60-90 minutes. It’s best if you or a family member can accompany the CAPS professional during the home safety assessment, as you or they can ask questions about specific safety items as they come up. The comprehensive Home Safety Assessment determines a direct and safe path forward for you, the client. You will have a better chance of avoiding the high cost and physical disruptions of future injuries leading to assisted living. All the surroundings within your home will be taken into account from the flooring to the layout of a specific room or location as it pertains to the your ease of use. Your physical and emotional needs also come into play because of mobility, sensory, or cognitive concerns. The goal is to modify the home in a custom manner to provide for your maximum health, independence, and safety. Often the input from any caretakers like a physical or occupational therapist during the assessment phase can prove to be invaluable. The three main rooms involved in Aging in Place home modifications are the bathroom, the kitchen, and the family room in that order. The basic needs involve access through wider doorways, level non-slip floor surfaces, and lower cabinets with plumbing fixture accessibility like roll-under sinks with easily operated lever controls. 

Aging in Place Bathroom Modifications in Austin

Quite often it is the home that presents the greatest difficulties for homeowners accompanied by limited mobility or other physical impairments as they age in their existing surroundings. Designing for specific physical conditions will lessen the impact of arthritis, restricted mobility, or loss of vision by using combinations of products, concepts, and techniques available today. Keeping safety in mind, interior modifications commonly include adding grab bars or handrails throughout the home, installing ramps or vertical platform lifts, lowering upper cabinets and countertops to Universal Design heights, adding non-slip flooring, widening hallways or installing stairlifts, and widening doors. You might also consider lowering light switches and thermostats and installing easier-to-use door levers or electric door openers. Try to provide a clear barrier-free path or accessible route to the most visited areas of your home like a disability access bath containing a roll-in ADA compatible shower, the kitchen, and the family room.

Most recently, architects and designers, with the help of CAPS professionals, have been concentrating on revising home interior design basics. The obvious outcome is slowly we are creating design principles and strategies that accommodate the full range of human capability rather than only the fully-functional part of society. This field of flexible or inclusive design is called Universal Design and its goal is to create easily accessible living and working spaces without exclusion to anyone. Instead of appearing as a hospital extension, the thoughtful new designs are appealing, stylish and comfortable for everyone; not just the elder or severely disabled among us. Therefore, the world of boundaries and barricades is beginning to lessen while we overcome the nationwide problem one home at a time. This is a testament to the senior and disabled population demanding equal access to their homes.

The ADA rules came about in 1990, but unfortunately the ADA rules do not apply to the private residential market. However, these rules can be used as a guide for better accessibility in private homes. Seniors and disabled homeowners must depend on the knowledgeable CAPS certified private sector of builders and remodelers to remedy the housing shortcomings. They will supply the recommended aging in place home modifications. Universally, every home should be accessible to all inhabitants and their visitors regardless of their age, size, or physical abilities. Caring for someone with special needs is a unique and sometimes lifelong challenge. Whether it’s a child born with a disability, someone who has suffered an unfortunate accident or medical event causing them to lose abilities they once had, or an older family member in declining health needing assistance with daily life, the work of a special needs contractor can help make things easier for both the affected individual and their caregivers.

Accessible Bathroom Modifications In Austin

What are the most important home modifications for seniors and the disabled to increase their quality of life? Here is a list of considerations for Aging in Place.

• Replacing door knobs with lever devices.
• Widening doorways and hallways.
• Increasing lighting, especially around stairs and work areas.
• Installing curb-less showers.
• Installing grab bars, especially in wet areas.
• Installing taller comfort-height toilets.
• Installing ramps to overcome level changes.
• Installing lever-controlled faucets.
• Installing hand-held shower devices.
• Adding a shower bench.
• Replacing flooring with any non-skid type.
• Utilizing smart home devices like electric door openers and remote light switches.
• Undergoing kitchen modifications to increase comfort and safety.
• Making bathroom modifications to increase safety and usability.
• Installing a stair lift or vertical platform lift.

T- Square Company located at 14141 Highway 290 West, Suite 800 in Austin, Texas is an industry leading accessible, universal, certified Aging in Place and VA approved Specially Adapted Housing home builder and remodeler. T-Square offers design/build projects for both totally accessible homes from the ground up or complete handicap modifications for existing homes to Age in Place. Be aware, traditional home builders and remodelers do not consider or understand the needs of the disabled or elderly. They deal mainly with the two thirds of our society without disabilities or special needs. They do not have the knowledge or experience required to think out of the box when creating a special needs home. It requires a trained and educated accessible home builder or contractor to visualize special needs modifications for special people.

T-Square Company will design and build you an adapted living environment which is completely customized around your abilities. Whether your project concerns home modifications, an accessible addition or wing, or new construction derived from a handicap accessible floor plan they can help you increase your accessibility. David Traut, the president/owner, is CAPS certified (1636580) and has over three decades of building and remodeling experience practicing as a disability contractor for special needs. He wants to help his clients be as self sufficient and independent as possible. Let David show you how to increase the safety and accessibility within your personal living environment.

By the way, David 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.

 Contact T-Square Company today at 512-444-0097 so we can show you how to begin a new accessible chapter in your lifetime.

If you are a senior or considering moving in an elderly parent into your home, you might find this information useful while pondering the subject to move forward.

The Aging in Place market in the US today is constantly influenced by the increasing size of the senior population, the desire to remain in one's home, a constantly increasing cultural diversity, and our aging and inaccessible housing stock with it's reduced affordability. Let's face it, accessible homes are needed by all of us at some time in our lives. This is true whether it's for ourselves, a family member, or a guest. Each individual with similar impairments describes his or her limitations differently. The blind don't experience their world the same as a person with deafness. The need is certainly not driven by age but is a result of life's experience. Any family living with disability among any of it's generations within it's group will always benefit from additional accessibility. This will in turn increase safety and independence for all involved as they go through life.

Actively searching for senior living solutions, the aging population is made up of two prominent age groups formed by the age 65 and over population and the baby boomers. The baby boomers were born between 1946 and 1965 as a result of WW II. Together these two groups own over 48% of all the US home inventory today. The desire to remain in one's home is driven by social attachments via a network of neighbors, friends, and family. Our cultural diversity assures that the same Aging in Place solutions cannot work across the board for all individuals, just as an individual's ability to live independently varies from person to person. With the constantly aging housing inventory, costs can be a major barrier in home modification for many residents. A catch 22 situation arises once you consider the reduced affordability of another home versus the one presently occupied by seniors. In this case the homeowner must use the equity that has accrued in their home's value in order to make the modifications required to safely move forward. Obviously, in the long run, it's cheaper to remodel an existing home using accrued assets than it is to buy a new home in today's inflated market only to endure closing costs, moving costs and the associated stress.

Some people confuse Aging in Place with Universal Design. Both are methods to increase home accessibility but Aging in Place strictly deals with an existing home, and is applied only when needed. Aging in Place implies modifying any home for it's occupants as a result of physical changes to ensure that the inhabitants can safely remain living in the home for as long as possible. Thus, it represents a reactive approach as a solution for providing home accessibility to the unprepared and procrastinating occupants. This time will expire once the senior homeowners require assisting medically trained help for ensuring their personal safety in a nursing home or an assisted living environment. In comparison, Universal Design offers choices to all home residents, no matter their age, size, or physical abilities. It can become part of any home at any time so all the occupants can enjoy the positive effects longer. Once undertaken by a proactive homeowner, the universal process begins with a design and then the construction begins. This process makes way for the home's comfort, safety, and usability to be enhanced. When Universal Design is incorporated into remodeling or new builds, these homes can accommodate the changing needs of their owners without further alterations. Over time, increased accessibility is there when it is required without disruption or calling attention to any family member.

For unprepared seniors, the demands of their home environment might eventually exceed their capacities forcing the inhabitants to become excluded from a room or even the entire home. In truth, physical limitations affect many more people than the daily users of walkers and wheelchairs. Many members of our life-experienced or senior society have significant problems safely dealing with their home environment due to today's conventional building standards. These status-quo building methods conflict with most people's accessibility, while the industry has routinely created homes full of architectural barriers. Individual strength, range of motion, movement, manual dexterity, balance, and coordination evolve over time as we become more life-experienced. The number one safety hazard in a home for seniors is negotiating level changes--steps at the entry, stairs between floors, and curbs to step over when entering the shower. Eliminating level changes is very difficult in existing homes and almost impossible to do aesthetically without considerable compromises, unless there is a major renovation. Sadly, the end result is that most homeowners decide to sell the house facing this situation rather than make the modifications. Fortunately, most traditional homes are capable of being modified.

Any accessibility design for seniors should always be performed by a CAPS certified builder or remodeler to provide a professional and safe path forward for seniors. This is the only way that you can be assured that the home modifications are the right choices to satisfy your needs. There is no need to waste money only to find out that the wrong alterations were done by an inexperienced and unqualified remodeling company. Modifications to bathrooms and kitchens, the two most used rooms in a home, must take everything about a persons personal behavior into consideration. Bathroom modifications typically include  custom tub to shower conversions, a custom walk in shower, an ADA-compliant toilet, or an accessible roll-under vanity. These are all great ways to make the bathroom safer and more accessible. Other bathroom concerns involve storage cabinetry and door opening widths. When it comes to the kitchen, ADA-compliant kitchen cabinets including roll-under cooktops, sinks, and food prep areas are important. Accessible storage for food and cooking items is needed along with adaptable multi-level cabinet working surfaces. All kitchen ADA-compliant appliances should be installed so a person using a wheelchair has access. Therefore, each appliance has associated clear floor space for approach and maneuvering. Remember, if the layout works well for the wheelchair user, it works for everyone. In general, a senior's home should be free of clutter, and every adequate room should have ample clear floor space for approaching certain items. Every area of the home is accessible without involving architectural barriers. But who do you contact to be sure you are getting the accessibility you desire?

The National Association of Home Builders, in partnership with the AARP and Home Innovation Research Labs, created the CAPS program, which includes training and education on the technical, business management and customer service skills essential to compete in the fastest growing segment of the residential remodeling industry--home modifications for aging in place. David L. Traut, CAPS owner of T-Square Company in Austin, Texas is one of the select group of professionals nationwide 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. David has recently published a book called "Age in Place at Home: Adapting the Home Environment for All Generations". It is available on Amazon.

 For additional information about the CAPS program, visit nahb.org/CAPS.  For more information about T-Square Company, visit www.tsquareco.com or call 512-444-0097.

 The building world must work in unison to be sure the entire living environment meets basic needs in addition to affordability and structural integrity for the consumer and home owner.  This includes both the home and the components within the home being accessible to all inhabitants.  Privacy, sense of belonging, sense of control, and the sense of safety and security make up the quality of life for any home and should be considered for any design.