Aging in Place Design

You may have heard the term "Aging in Place" before, but did not know exactly what it meant or how important it can be in the lives of many, including yourself. Aging in Place is defined as, "The ability to continue to live in one's home safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level. It means living in a familiar environment, and being able to participate in family and other community activities." Aging in Place, or Universal Design, can be applied to any space where ease of access or safety is a concern. All rooms of a home can be designed with Aging in Place in mind while still remaining visually appealing. It is very important to plan for the future. Aging of the home or the occupant, as well as safety, ease of use, independence, adaptation to needs, and upgrading or modernizing are all part of planning for future needs.

You may wonder when the right time will occur to start considering Aging in Place design in your home. Baby boomers are all reaching retirement age FAST! You may still be healthy and mobile, but PLAN for the future while you are still able to! Anyone planning to retire and stay in their home as they age should consider remodeling now, to prevent a tough situation such as having to move in the future. Anyone with an aging parent or disabled family member, such as an adult child, may take this form of space planning into consideration. Also, a spouse with a disabled or aging significant other might look at remodeling to accommodate the needs of their loved one. Anyone with a rancher style (one story) home who wants to increase resale or marketing value to the "Boomer" population could take advantage of redesigning their home to meet the needs of the aging population.

By now, you may be considering Aging in Place Design, but are asking yourself how to accomplish this remodeling feat. The Certified Aging in Place Specialists (CAPS) designers here at Hatchett will assess your wishes and your requirements and help you to come up with the best solution to meet your needs. We will pay close attention to the safety of stairwells, bathrooms, doorways and thresholds, kitchens, and hallways. At Hatchett, we realize the need for Certified Aging in Place Specialists to assist with the growing concerns of those who wish to stay in their homes as they age. For this reason, Hatchett has six Certified Aging in Place Specialists on staff to help you design your project in a safe and aesthetic way to meet the needs each person living in your home.