Stephen Bolling
You might have a key fob that automatically turns off your car’s security system and unlocks the door. Most drivers with newer cars do. Despite its increased cost over a manual key it has become a standard in the auto industry.
You might have a remote that opens your garage door and turns on the garage light. Most homeowners, especially those in the suburbs, do. And very few would opt to save a few dollars by selecting a manual door, even with the added incentive of reducing the household’s energy bill.
But here’s something you don’t have. A key fob that triggers a sensor by your front door, turns on the porch light, turns off the security system, and unlocks and opens your front door. Some homeowners actually do have similar devices. Today they’re expensive, but if installed on a large-scale in new developments they could be as common as your car’s key fob or your garage door’s remote.
The entry sensor is the type of product that was designed out of necessity to help disabled homeowners. Creating products and homes for people with special needs is not new, but the growing industry is coming up with solutions that are attractive to anyone and could be in many homes by the end of the decade. Installing them in greater numbers will drive the prices down and owner enthusiasm will encourage developers to provide them as standard products in new homes. There is a need and a profit to be made.
ADT door sensor unlocks and opens door.
As people mature their homes need to adapt to their health needs. Building homes that meet that need requires greater levels of skills and knowledge. Gone are the days of products that looked as if they belong in the emergency room of the hospital. Teams of medical and design professionals are coming together to create products and spaces that are warm, attractive, exciting and desired by both able and disabled users. They are being designed to be the norm for all home environments and in turn they are increasing the desirability and value of the home.
All disabilities and clients are not the same and cannot merely follow disability standards. From arthritis (the most common functional disability in the United States) to back problems, heart disease, respiratory disease, learning disabilities, speech impairments and deteriorating conditions such as ALS, MS and spinal cord injuries it is not uncommon for most homes to house someone with a disability at some time.
As people get older their vision deteriorates, their balance and coordination decreases and their strength and endurance diminishes. Memory loss requires special considerations such as glass or open cupboards to reduce misplaced items. 23% of people between the age of 45 and 54 have a disability. That percentage rises to 45.4% for ages 65 to 69. This spikes to 72.5% for those over 75. 3.3 million people use wheelchairs or similar devices.
Developers should build homes with solutions that meet these challenges because the need is there and there is a profit in providing something new, useful and exciting.
In my previous article I wrote that for the real estate market to rebound the housing industry needs to sell a newer, better product. They need to find their equivalent of the iPhone, Blue-Ray or Bluetooth. Here are some products that help the disabled but could be used useful to anyone and be attractive selling tools for new homes:
A kitchen with self-cleaning or adjustable height counters, cabinets on rails, remote-controlled appliances with automatic shut offs and ovens with side-hinged doors.
Remote-controlled adjustable counters by Baselift
Portable grab bars for the injured or sick and towel racks, toilet paper holders and bathtub soap trays that hold a person’s weight and can be used as permanent grab bars.
Shower heads with adjustable heights and bathroom vanities on casters that pull out from under the sinks.
Pull-down clothes poles in the wardrobe closet and lighting that turns off when the door is closed.
Wider doors, space-saving pocket doors and easy sliding windows
Stairs with contrasting color at the nose and double height railings for kids and adults.
Gates at the top of stairs for toddlers and those with balance needs.
Today’s homes need to reduce energy costs but they will also need to provide for the elderly, the sick, the injured and the permanently disabled. Homes will need to make our daily lives easier and less stressful.
Invisia Collection with Integrated Support Rail by HealthCraft
Sources:
Specialized Home Design (Scott Anderle, Physical Therapist): http://www.shdesigns.net/
Institute for Human-Centered Design (Kathy Gips, Director of Training): http://www.adaptenv.org/
Pierce Lamb Architects (Deborah Pierce, AIA): http://www.piercelambarchitects.com/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/
The Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University: http://www.ncsu.edu/www/ncsu/design/sod5/cud/
Data Accountability Center: https://www.ideadata.org/default.asp
Trace Center, University of Wisconsin: http://trace.wisc.edu/
Products:
Remote-controlled adjustable counters by Baselift: http://universal-design-products.com/baselift_worktop_lift.htm
Invisia Collection with Integrated Support Rail by HealthCraft: http://www.healthcraftproducts.com
Stephen Bolling
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