Independent Living – The Creation of Freedom

Independent Living – The Creation of Freedom
By Christopher L. Colby, AIA, LEED AP
Spire Architecture & Design, PLLC

As we travel along the path of life, we all face challenges of varying degrees. Some of these challenges will have minor impacts to our quality of life while others may significantly degrade our once fruitful and active lives.

It’s an undeniable fact that as we get older we will face challenges with our health, mobility and abilities to perform once seemingly easy tasks. However, with proper planning and preparation the challenges of life can be navigated with ease. Independent Living, sometimes called “aging in place” can be a useful tool in the preparation of one’s golden years. Years that can be filled with freedom and independence rather than isolation and challenges.

Typically homes are not built or designed with our “golden years” in mind, and, therefore, present challenges in our sunset years when we least expect them. Getting an early start on the planning and design of an Independent Living lifestyle can be essential to freedom in your later years. Although it is never too late to get started, an Independent lifestyle at any stage of life can be much more cost effective than assisted living options, which can reach well into thousands of dollars a month!

Simple steps can be taken early on in a design or construction project that will greatly enhance your quality of life as you reach your golden years. For example, some of the following ideas create little impact on a budget, but will prepare you and your home for an independent lifestyle:
• Add blocking to walls that will be able to receive grab bars and other wall mounted aids in the future.
• Create wider hallways and passages, including doorways that will allow for the use of a wheelchair or walker without obstructions.
• Design rooms so that they have an unobstructed pathway and layout.
• Design or create a master bedroom suite on the first floor so that stairs will not become a problem in the future.
• Choose lever handles instead of door knobs; they will be easier to turn.
• Design cabinets and vanities so that they are easily accessible for someone in a wheel chair or create multiple mounting heights.

While it is easier to implement some of these ideas during the initial construction of a home, it is not your only window of opportunity to create an independent living lifestyle. Every home can be renovated to accommodate everyone’s specific needs at anytime.

Helping you create a free and independent future in your golden years is something we would like to help you achieve. Feel free to contact our office so that we can schedule an appointment with our team to help you create an independent lifestyle.

Christopher L. Colby, AIA, LEED AP is the Principal and Founder of Spire Architecture and Design, PLLC. Visit www.spirearchitecture.com to learn more. Copyright © 2010 Spire Architecture & Design. All Rights Reserved