Kathleen was injured in a car accident about 1 year before. Her house was far from accessible. An ugly platform lift up 5′ to the front stoop was an eyesore to the block and it was improperly installed requiring her to turn 90 degrees before exiting onto the porch. She used the living room for her hospital bed which offered no privacy, was an eyesore and embarrassing when visitors arrived, and she was separated from her husband. She could not access bathrooms safely. There was a chair lift which allowed her to access the top floor (full bathroom), but she had to transfer at the bottom then again at the top. Those transfers were unsafe, time consuming and inconvenient.
Aging in place features:
We removed and re-installed the platform lift so she could roll on and off in the same direction.
We built a front porch with a barrel vault ceiling around the lift to conceal it from street view and for enjoyment.
We built a two-story addition to the rear of the house which housed a new elevator exiting to the new large master bedroom.
An existing bedroom was converted to a large, fully accessible master bathroom.
A stackable washer/dryer was installed in the bathroom closet.
Home Remodeling Photos
Aging in Place - More articles
This article has been republished in part or full from an Age in Place Professionals member's website. Read the orignal article at the author's website >>
About Mark Hager
