What is Universal Design?

Creating a home for everyone regardless of age, size or mobility, fitting all types of lifestyles. Universal designs features and products give a wider range of people a safer and more comfortable home.

• Families with young to older children
• Short, tall or average people
• Aging adults who want to grow old in their own home
• Those with limited mobility and temporary or permanent disabilities

The components of universal design are those that work well in the home for residents and quests. These components in the home help prevent accidents, give comfort and safety and offer more independence to the residents. Many of the features are common sense.

B.J. Burnham & Associates specialize in Universal Design for Aging in Place - creating a Living Space in your existing home that is conducive to your changing needs as you get older.

What makes a home easier to live as we age?

There are a number of steps, renovations, conversions, and alterations that can make aging in place comfortable.

• Planning ahead
• Master bedroom on first floor (a converted den or guest room)
• Flush thresholds
• Interior door openings a min. of 32” – 36”
• Hand rails on both sides of the stairs
• Ample lighting on the interior and exterior of the home
• Well lit pathways
• Replace flip type light switches with rocker switches
• Replace hard round door knobs with levers
• Cabinetry hardware with magnetic catches or touch latches
• Grab bars in bathroom
• Tile with a high anti slip rating in bathroom
• Bench or seat in the shower

There are many more universal design features and products that people, especially those over 50, like and incorporate into their homes. B.J Burnham uses the checklist provided by AARP when discussing universal design with clients who are aging in place.