Bath designs for aging in place

80% of people over 50 wish to remain in their own homes indefinitely, according to AARP.  The National Association of Home Builders defines Aging in Place as “living in one’s home independently regardless of age or ability.”   Key factors to think about when renovating your home for aging in place are reduced vision, mobility and strength.  To address reduced mobility, you may want to plan for a first floor master bedroom with an adjoining master bath.  Providing light from multiple sources can assist your vision.  Using contrasting colors on different surfaces -- such as counters and floors -- aids your depth perception.  As you age, you may need to sit and rest while performing daily routines, so it's helpful to have seating options near those activities you generally do while standing.

At my recent class at Kohler’s Bathing University, we reviewed some good bathroom design characteristics for aging in place.  Kohler has responded to the needs of this population through extensive research and has developed the innovative Elevance™ rising wall bath.  This tub is engineered to meet ADA guidelines and provide a soaking experience.  One wall of the tub can be raised and lowered with one hand and locks into place with two watertight seals.  Kohler did not sacrifice esthetics -- this tub also looks good.  Design features include a waterfall fill, integrated storage ledge, and an integral grab bar.  Kohler’s website features an elegant, attractive bathroom incorporating this tub and additional accommodations to “age in place.” 

Can this house be saved? -- Making a rebuild vs remodel decision

Where to start?  Consult with a trusted architect.  I met with Rick Eifler to measure and photograph the house.  With a base plan of the existing house, we brainstormed design ideas that would transform the river property I’d purchased.  Together we’ve completed scores of renovated and new homes over the past decade. 

Our initial inclination was to remodel this old ranch.  My primary goal was to take advantage of a site that overlooked the Assabet River watershed.   Built on an east-west axis, the rear of the house has great southern exposure on the river side.  But to get those river views, we would need a second story.  And because of the proximity of the house to the watershed, we weren’t going to be able to extend the footprint towards the river one bit.

We called in Scott Nelson of Structural Response to check the foundation walls and soil composition to see if the soil and footings would support a second story.  They would have, but was this economically viable?  The existing rooms were small by today’s standards. Would building a second floor on a 1960s ranch give us a home that met 2010s needs?

We evaluated the state of the existing structure and systems.  Nothing had been touched in forty years, except for that roof repair I’d done ten years earlier.    A new roof was overdue.  The heating, plumbing, and electrical systems all needed to be modernized or replaced.  Ditto the original kitchen, bathroom, windows and doors.  The septic system had failed.   The insulation was inadequate and would be difficult to bring up to code.

We drew up a couple of plans and made cost comparisons of renovating or starting anew.  We consulted with some local realtors.  The consensus:  Take it down and start over.

Stay tuned for our next post on the evolution of this house. . .

Innovative bath experiences

Recently I attended a Kohler® University Training Event, an interactive course led by a Kohler Training Specialist.  I got up-to-the minute information about innovative bathing experiences: Size and material options for traditional tub bathing, Effervescence bathing, Bubble Massage™, Whirlpools and VibrAcoustic™ bathing. 

VibrAcoustic bathing is a new and exciting concept “creating an environment of harmony both invigorating and restful.”  Kohler describes the experience as “music and sound vibration completely surrounding you, permeating the core of your body.  Your breathing and heart rate become entrained, echoing yoga-inspired rhythms that enhance your ability to relax.”  Four different sound/music compositions are available titled: Solitude, Letting Go, Awakening and Transcendence.  In addition, the bath has a user friendly interface control with the option of listening to a favorite playlist or radio station.


Throughout the day, I learned some other useful tips: Kohler sells a cast iron cleaner which protects your tub surface. They also reminded us that using bath salts in air bubble or jetted tubs will cause corrosion and installing heat under a cast iron tub will aid in keeping bath water warm.


Part 2 of the seminar was about aging in place -- Stay tuned for my next post on bathing innovations that support this new trend.


River Dreaming -- Visions from a garage roof

Assabet River watershed

It was a beautiful autumn day, cool and crisp.  The Assabet River sparkled sunlight reflections below me.  I was on my hands and knees, hammer in hand, shingling the garage roof of a 1960s ranch.  Taking in the view, I thought, “What a wonderful place this would be to live”.