Living in Place
“The most important thing to remember is to plan ahead.” Those are the words of Thomas Wells, Owner of Thomas G. Wells Construction LLC. In business since 1988, award-winning Wells specializes in universal design for aging in place, as well as energy efficiency, sustainable building practices, comprehensive energy audits, and kitchens, baths, and additions.
“It is important to incorporate elements into your home before you need them. Retrofit your home a little at a time. If you are going to remodel a bath and you are in your late 40s or 50s, put blocks in for grab bars, widen doorways, install better lighting. If you plan on staying in your home, move bedrooms down to the first floor or design an expansion on the first floor. Older people often have trouble with stairs. Think ahead in the kitchen as well--create wider doorways, a wider space between the island and cabinets, implement kitchen cabinetry designed for diminishments, install better lighting. The kitchen also should have different materials for floors and countertops. As we get older, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish levels,” Wells says.
Technology also can be an key element in universal design. “Cell phones can be used to turn things on and off in the home. Technology can be used to track people coming and going. It is important to monitor front door use for loved ones with dementia who wander off. Lights can come on in a room and turn off when you leave. Lights can come on at night for bathroom use. There can be push button locks on the front of the house that are connected to the Internet. There are no keys, just a passcode,” Wells says.
“Universal design not only improves the quality of life for the person with the diminishment. It impacts the entire community helping that person--family members, church members, friends, employers, neighbors, and caregivers,” Wells says. For more information, call 215-378-4048 or visit www.tgw-construction.com. Thomas G. Wells Construction LLC is located at 942 South Woodbourne Road, Levittown, PA 19057.