---

---

A G I N G - I N - P A L A C E ©
Home Interiors and Design       Remodeling   Downsizing      Making a Home Post-50

Click the Graphic to Preview the Self-Guided Tour

aging-in-Palace

  3 GOOD QUESTIONS        10 IDEAS FOR  CREATING A  LIFELONG HOME      4  EASY WAYS TO BEGIN

---

---

CONTROL YOUR OWN DESTINY

---

---

 Do you have a friend or relative who might feel more comfortable visiting you if your home were more accessible? We do. And we know that there is much to be said for a comfortable home that makes sense for you, your family and friends.  In fact, the topic of all inclusive homes is “hot” these days.  It seems “Boomers” are spearheading a trend toward staying in a “FOR ever” home  - one intended  for today, and for years to come (“aging in place”).   

How about you? Would it make sense to have the things you need in daily life, while maintaining your independence and quality of life in your own home?

Life-course transitions mean change and many decisions to make. For those who are 50 and older, planning to add universal design elements to feather a nest can not only be wise, but can  make aging-in-place a masterfully-designed adventure. You can plan for  an AT LAST Home  where accessible, universal design allows function and aesthetics to coexist.

We like to refer to this as  AGING IN  A  P A L A C E©  as opposed to "aging in place".

If you are ready, willing, and able  to set a goal for "sustainable excellence"  consider a self-guided tour. Read up on what it takes to start a conversation about and to design a functional and BEAUTIFUL  lifelong home-  a  "Feathered-Nest". Keep it budget-friendly. Figuring out cost-effective ways to plan, design, and create a beautiful and functional dwelling place designed for a lifetime is important.

 aging-in-Palace

 universal design- it's for everybody - here is a practical guide

---

Would YOU choose to stay in your own home ?

Yes! say more and more Post-50-People who are ready, willing and able to lead the way to "aging-in-place" and loving the idea of living in a For "Ever" home as the years go by.

Is a lifelong home an attractive choice for you even if it means research and forward planning?

Lift the human spirit. Bring together function and beauty in your "castle" and create what works for you , your family and friends in an all-inclusive environment designed for everybody- regardless of age or physical ability.

---

A G I N G - I N - P A L A C E ©

  3 GOOD QUESTIONS  

     4  EASY WAYS TO BEGIN

10 IDEAS FOR  CREATING A  LIFELONG HOME

3 GOOD QUESTIONS

1.  WHAT can turn a house into a functional and BEAUTIFUL home
that can work for ALL OF US over many years? (see review)

2.  HOW might that lifelong home "look and feel"-
today and in later life? (see review)

3.  WHEN would you/your family begin to create an evolving home

that can work for ALL those who live/visit there--

regardless of age or physical ability? (see review)

---

ON TRACK TO THE  "FOR EVER" HOME

aging-in-Palace

Putting yourself on a kind track to life-course transitions means change. One of the most important decisions to make is where you choose to live topics such as:  Aging-in-Palace©, Aging-in-Place, Feathered Nests and all-inclusive Universal Design. Planning for AT LAST Homes where accessible, universal design allows function and aesthetics to coexist makes sense. Universal design originated and was developed by a wheelchair-bound architect who thought that homes should be designed for everyone, regardless of physical ability or age. Perhaps that is what prompts the trend toward universal design where the all-inclusive  concept flows throughout the living space as a whole.

Current predictions  from the home-building industry- aging will be the second-biggest influence on home design in the next few years [source:NAHB]. " We no longer are in a 'youth market'- but in one driven by powerful older adult consumers who can and do influence the how and where they choose to live." Note: AARP promotes universal design.

4  WAYS TO BEGIN

aging-in-palace

1. Easy- Simply remove throw rugs

2. Open shades to bring natural light to interior spaces

3. Budget for and install grab bars in the bath

4. Start talking with family and friends
and get actively involved in positive change that can work for EVERYBODY

QUESTION

Which of the 4 easy beginning steps will you put on your agenda?

      1____          2 ____           3____          4 ____        ALL ____

---

---

10 IDEAS FOR  CREATING A  LIFELONG HOME

---

---

AGING-IN-PALACE ©

1) Garage or Carport- Covered carports and boarding spaces, wider than average carports to accommodate lifts on vans, door heights may need to be 9 feet to accommodate some raised roof vans. 5-foot minimum access aisle between accessible van and car in garage, an important one-ramp(s) to doorway(s) if needed

2) Ramps - Slope no greater than 1 inch rise for each 12 inches in length, 5-foot landing provided at entrance

3) Storage -Adjustable closet rods and shelves. lighting in closets. easy open doors that do not obstruct access

4) Electrical, Lighting, Safety and Security- Light switches by each entrance to halls and rooms, light switches, thermostats and other environmental controls placed in accessible locations no higher than 48 inches from floor.- Clear access space of 30 inches by 48 inches in front of switches and controls, rocker or touch light switches, high-tech security/intercom system that can be monitored, with the heating, air conditioning and lighting, from any TV in the house, pre-programmed thermostats.

5) Flooring - Smooth, non-glare, slip-resistant surfaces, interior and exterior

6) Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning -(HVAC) Baby Boomers and Family members appreciate an HVAC system that is designed so that filters are easily accessible. We look for energy efficient HVAC units, and we still like windows that can be opened for cross ventilation, and plenty of fresh air!

7) Energy Efficient Home Features-

      a) In-line framing with 2 by 6 studs spaced 24-inch on center

     b) Air-barrier installation and sealing of duct work with mastic

     c) Reduced-size air conditioning units with gas furnaces,

   d)Mechanical fresh air ventilation, installation of air returns in all bedrooms and use of carbon monoxide detectors,

     e) Energy efficient windows with Low-E glass

8) Reduced Maintenance/Convenience Features- a) Easy to clean surfaces b)Central vacuum c) Built-in pet feeding system d) Built-in recycling system, e) Video phones, f) Intercom system

9) Exterior - Low-maintenance exterior (vinyl, brick) Low-maintenance shrubs and plants Deck, patio or balcony surfaces are no more than ½ inch below interior floor level if made of wood

10) Other Ideas - A separate apartment for rental income or future caregiver.. . A Flex space or room that can used as a nursery or playroom when the children are young and as a home office later; if combined with a full bath, this room could also be used for “aging-in-place”….

aging-in-Palace

---

---

RESOURCES

---

---

Lift the human spirit when you bring together function and beauty in your "castle" and create the experience of  AGING-IN-PALACE© that works for everybody- regardless of age or physical ability.

RESOURCES: How aging-in-Palace, CULTURAL CREATIVES and "BOOMER CONSUMERS" who  strongly impact MARKET TRENDS.  The demand by the Post-50-People for age-friendly products -- interior and exterior design universal design elements that work for EVERYBODY-  regardless of age or physical ability -- can change outmoded aging stereotypes.

 aging-in-Palace

---

---

---

---

---