Recently, Washington Metro Oasis in association with the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services asked Russ Glickman to join an open video conference call as their expert on Accessibility in residential home design. Russ gave a presentation entitled “Home For Life: Planning Ahead to Age In Place” to over 100 participants. The presentation covered many […]
Suddenly everyday movements we take for granted become a significant challenge. Going from the couch to get a glass of water is now an ordeal. Getting in and out of the tub a difficult journey. This is the life of someone in a wheelchair or suffering from limited mobility. It can happen to all of […]
GRAY talks to three pioneering individuals who are changing both the way we approach design and who can approach it. Portraits by Nate Watters LAST FEBRUARY, I TOOK A TUMBLE WHILE SKIING AND TORE A MUSCLE IN MY LEFT CALF. It wasn’t anything major, but it put me on crutches for a few days. In an […]
The ultimate goal of Universal Design (UD) is to create a home that works for everyone; now and in the future. This brilliant design makes homes accessible and safer as you age and allows maximum access for those with disabilities. Universal Design can make each room accessible, reduce home accidents and potentially increase resale value. […]
“It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.”J.R.R. Tolkien Your front door is a first impression, a gateway to and from the world. As we age however, going through that gateway gets […]
Wow, who would have thought the Woodstock generation would actually get old. Life happens. Unfortunately, our homes are actually aging faster than we are. When you bought your home those high ceilings, circular stairways step and-up entrance was inviting. But now, the home’s steep steps and narrow doorways are becoming problems. Suddenly things that you […]
Remember the Waltons? A popular TV show in the 70’s, the Walton’s showed us how wonderful multi-generational living could be. Well that was TV and fantasy. At that time families largely were two-generational, with parents and minor-age children under one roof. But now times have changed. People are living longer. But for older people getting […]
So much of what we love about our homes lies beyond its walls: Our neighbors, our community, the beautiful grass and trees that surround. Unfortunately, as we age, our home’s walls start closing in. We can’t get around as easily as before. Kitchen islands feel like obstacles. Stairs become marathons. Even our entrance way morphs […]
Homeownership lies at the very heart of the American dream. But in many communities, the homes we love are just not that inviting anymore. We want to stay, but as we age, every day has become ever more burdensome. We cannot get up the stairs, it’s difficult to open doors, our bathrooms aren’t safe, even […]
Making The Perfect Home Margy Dunn and her family were thrilled when they moved into their single-family home in Arlington, VA from the townhouse they had been living in. It meant more space, less stairs to manage and easier access around the house. But it still needed a few modifications to make the home perfect […]