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AIPatHome.com - Age in Place at Home - It's Where You Want to Be.

August 2009

A leading resource for people who are searching for products, services, information and reassurance to better age in place.

AIP Bulletin

Quote of the Month

"A man's health can be judged by which he takes 2 at a time: pills or stairs."

Joan Walsh
Ask Lysa
A reader asks How do you turn a powder room into a full-functioning bathroom?

Dear Lysa,

My parents live in a 2-story house and now that they are older the stairs are a challenge and they are thinking of making the first floor their primary living space. The problem is the bathroom. It’s a small powder room with a very small shower area, barely large enough for toileting and bathing. Not in the least bit comfortable to use – for anything! Do you think it’s possible to make this a functional room that can meet my parents’ needs for ease of access and usability and keep them off the stairs?

Sincerely,

Concerned Daughter

Dear Concerned Daughter,

The short answer is ‘yes’.  We asked Shoshana Shamberg, OTR/L, MS, President of Abilities OT Services and Seminars, Inc. what she thought. “Without knowing the specific details of the room I would suggest creating a shower room where there are no thresholds between the shower area and the rest of the bathroom with a tile floor graded for proper drainage. Install a pedestal sink, which is accessible with an open bottom, and levered faucet controls. A shower chair can be used and with a hand held showerhead – makes showering easier especially while seated. There should be enough wheelchair maneuverability between the toilet, sink and shower. Lastly, a pocket door will also help eliminate unnecessary barriers in a tight space.”  For more ideas see Shoshana’s “5 Common Bathroom Problems Limiting Safety and Comfort” and “5 More Problems Limiting Bathroom Safety and Comfort”.

Please submit your AIP related questions to AskLysa@aipathome.com

AIPatHome.com & ActiveForever.com: Working Together
ActiveForever.com and AIPatHome.com working together to help ensure people can stay safe, happy and mobile in their own homes for as long as confidently possible.

AIPatHome.com and ActiveForever.com are proud to announce their new strategic marketing partnership. The partnership will be based around a dynamic cross section of abilities and knowledge focusing on products and consumer education. AIPatHome.com is unique in its specialty focus on educating consumers and professionals about universal design homes & products, telecare and other assistive technologies that facilitate aging in place gracefully, safely and longer. ActiveForever is the leading source of very well priced life-enhancing products that address almost all physical disabilities, injuries or pain. Products include thousands of discount therapy, fitness, pain reliefs, home aids, and medical equipment. Together AIPatHome.com and ActiveForever will help ensure people can stay safe, happy, and mobile in their own homes for as long as confidently possible.


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AIP Idea Center: Signature Series: BeasyTrans™
BeasyTrans Transfer System

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 A Look Ahead: Whole House Remodel
Front of house
Front of House
Pool Area - Back of House

AIPatHome.com and Frangeli Consulting and Remodeling, a full service universal design/build company, are working together to produce an  online showcase of an accessible demonstration home documenting the process of making a 2000 square foot, 2 story home with full basement, ADA compliant.

The Showcase will be an in-depth presentation using photos, video and descriptive text to show the transformation from a traditional living environment to an accessible one. An accessible environment that is functional, beautiful and accommodates the needs of the entire household – not just the recently injured homeowner.

This Showcase will be useful for both industry professionals and consumers to learn about accessible features and products that can be used in a remodel or new build.

 

Feedback

Your rants, raves and suggestions are always welcome....especially the raves!  Seriously, tell us what we can do to help bring you the information and access to other resources to best age-in-place in the home and community of your choice.  Send your comments to talktous@aipathome.com.


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AIP Business Pages:Black Diamond Builders
Black Diamond Builders-California

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