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Did
You Know?
Archived Years
2003
March: LifeWise Home - "Aging-in-Place"
The Assistant Secretary for Aging participated in the unveiling
of the senior-friendly LifeWise Home in the Bowie, MD, suburbs.
This national demonstration project is a “model” home
featuring the latest in product and design techniques to facilitate
“Aging-in-Place.” Built by NAHB Research Center, this
home is energy efficient, low maintenance, and accessible for
older and/or disabled homeowners with limited mobility.
Special features include full living arrangements on the ground
level with a “no-step” entryway, security and intercom
systems, an accessible kitchen adjoining an open living room,
a comfortable sized bedroom adjacent to a fully accessible bathroom
with many amenities to accommodate various physical needs.
The home is “user-friendly” to persons in a wheelchair,
using a walker, or needing a sturdy “hand-hold.” Chair
rails are in a contrasting color with finger grip space. Floors
clean easily and have a non-slip finish and carpets are low pile.
Contrasting colors facilitate movement for the visually impaired.
The dishwasher and front-loading washer and dryer are raised off
the floor to accommodate wheelchair users. The upstairs suite
would be comfortable for a live-in caregiver or other family members.
The LifeWise Home is innovative and futuristic in paving the way
for new technology and products facilitating aging-in-place. AoA,
under its grant to the NAHB Research Center, is helping older
consumers and the home building industry understand new possibilities
for creating and modifying residential facilities that enhance
the potential for older adults to live comfortably, safely, and
independently as they age.
Resource Links: (All links are off site)
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Dept. of Health & Human Services
