Each year can bring new challenges after age 60. Enter universal design. “Basically, it’s a way to create environments that are usable for all people,” says architect Andy Trivers, CEO of Trivers Associates. “It becomes really significant for those who want to age in place.” Here are some tips from area experts.
• Reduce clutter and get rid of rugs that could cause tripping.
• Buy furniture that’s easy to get out of and a coffee table “that sits up higher, that isn’t so low,” says interior designer Suzanne Tullock.
• Lower light switches, raise up electrical outlets, buy appliances with controls closer to the user, and replace doorknobs with lever handles, suggests Trivers.
• Doorways should be at least 36 inches wide, beds shouldn’t be too high, lighting needs to be adequate, and walk-in showers should be installed, suggests Jane Ganz, president of Directions in Design.
• The bathroom needs to be big enough for a wheelchair, grab bars, and a shower chair, says Tullock. And it should include an extra-tall toilet.
• The changes can be so subtle, a younger person may not even notice—and it benefits everyone. “There’s a fundamental equity about universal design,” Trivers says.
