Livable Housing Claire Cunningham, Occupational Therapist and Access - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Livable Housing Claire Cunningham, Occupational Therapist and Access Consultant (Accredited with ACAA), Planot 0411 737 219, claire@planot.com.au

Falls Where do they occur? • Anywhere, however, greater risks are presented by poor lighting, uneven floors and wet or uneven paths If older adults begin to experience falls, what may be introduced? • Mobility aids such as walking sticks, zimmer frames, wheeled zimmer frames, four wheeled walkers and wheelchairs Generally, do people’s homes accommodate these mobility aids?

Stressful Events • Death of a loved one • Loss of job, changing jobs or retirement • Illness • Moving house • Relationship breakdown

Impact of Environment Phillippa Carnemolla – Industrial Designer New research suggesting minor home modifications cans facilitate a person to remain in their home as they age. • Ramps • Rails • Minor bathroom modifications

What can we do? Plan… • The answer lies in planning rather than in modification There are many ideas and initiatives in the access community, but these are unlikely to be taken up unless written into the building code.

Documents to Guide Practice • Liveable Housing Guidelines – www.liveablehousingaustralia.org.au • Liveable Homes – www.liveablehomes.net.au • Adaptable Housing Standard – AS 4299 - 1955 • Australian Standards • National Construction Code • Australian Government - www.yourhome.gov.au/housing/livable- and-adaptable-house Limitations • They are not fit to an individual • They do not address access challenges in relation to obesity, nor mobility scooter access, stretcher beds etc.

Universal Design Seven principles of Universal Design • Equitable use • Flexibility in use • Simple and intuitive use • Perceptible information • Tolerance for error • Low physical effort • Size and space for approach and use

Liveable Homes • Path of travel from carport or street, preferable covered • Adequately lit path and front entry • Prune back garden to provide unobstructed path of travel • Eliminate thresholds at front entry, and all entrances if possible • Landing at front door with sufficient space on the latch side

Liveable Homes cont. • Adequate door widths throughout the home • Handrails on any stairs (though eliminate stairs if possible) • Circulation space around furniture • Door hardware • Location of switches and controls • Bathroom and tapware • Kitchen design

Livable Design Case Study 1