Chronic illness or injures can make a home “unfriendly” to say the least.  You may be thinking about making some changes, but the thought of a grab bar makes you cringe. We know that there are solutions to meet your need, style and budget.

Our Independent Living Specialist help you to create spaces that will work for you for a lifetime!

Universal Design

Universal Design is smart design. Universal design makes it easy for people of all shapes, sizes and abilities to use a space. It allows for you to grow and change overtime and still meet the majority of your needs. Also called Lifespan design or sustainable design.

Accessible Design

Accessible Design focuses on matching you to your home. Accessible design incorporates your current and future needs as well as your lifestyle into the design features. The goal is to ensure that your home works for you and not against you!

Also referred to as barrier free design.

Style

Accessible and STYLISH!

It is important that your home be beautiful and functional. We help you determine what you need and find a reputable builder. We translate your needs to the builders and architects to ensure the design will meet your needs today AND tomorrow.

Style does not have to be lost. Look at this accessible, yet stylish sinks.  This was the focus in Wafa’s new bathroom. Wafa, living with muscular dystrophy, wanted a bathroom to fit her needs. She was not willing to sacrifice style. Together, we created a custom vanity, heated shower bench and dressing area.  The vanity features a pull out coffee machine and hairdryer that is plugged in all the time. Each of these features are specific to Wafa’s needs, but benefit anyone who uses that space.

Chronic Progressive Illnesses

Barbara was diagnosed with ALS a year ago. She and her husband decided to move into a new home and remodel the bathroom to meet her needs. A barrier free shower was a must. Stylish grab bars, a comfort height toilet and an open under-mount sink made this space accessible for Barbara and her husband. Finally, an elevator to allow access to all areas of the home.

Showers with no step entries make getting into and out of the shower easier.

Accessible sink and shower “In disguise”

Home Addition

Richard was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease over a decade ago. He had been living on his own, but began to have difficulty due to multiple falls. He decided to build an addition onto his daughter’s home. He was concerned about not imposing on his daughter and her family.  He wanted an addition that had a separate entrance, kitchenette, and full bathroom. A creative design allowed Richard to have a living space that he loved and allowed him to stay at home with his daughter. Lever door handles, barrier free shower and a couch on risers are just a few of the features included in this addition.

Small Changes Can Make a Difference

Jewel, diagnosed with dementia, lives with her daughter. She was beginning to have difficulty moving around the bathroom that she had had built a year previously. In fact, she had has a couple of falls and was refusing to take showers. After observing Jewel in her home environment, a few minor changes we made that allowed her to resume her daily activities safely. The towel bars were replaced with stylish grab bars, her personal care items we relocated to be easy to reach and finally, motion detector night lights were installed strategically to allow her a lighted path to the bathroom. These changes were minor enough as not to distress Jewel. The home modifications were significant enough to reduce falls and allow her continue to live in her home.

Cincinnati State OT House

Cincinnati State Technical College is in the process of transforming a home into an Occupational Therapy Aging In Place Demonstration Home. The Victorian style home was donated to the occupational therapy assistant program with purpose of craeting a home to be a community resource for healthcare professionals, persons with disabilities or aging and their caregivers.

Destination Home is the project manager/accessibility consultant for this OT Aging In Place Home. The home will be filled with low and high tech solutions that can be used to help elders and persons with disabilities continue to live at home. It will showcase home modifications from the simple to the spectacular. Included will be a beautiful universally designed kitchen, integrated ramp and accessible garden. The project is scheduled to open in the fall of 2011.

Please contact us for more information or to learn how you can participate. Cincinnati State Technical College is currently seeking sponsors for the home.