Home Design for Aging in Place

Home Design for Aging in Place Teaching Outline

Prepared by: Gina Peek, Ph.D.; Assistant Professor and Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service Housing and Consumer Specialist

Introduction to problem: Who wants to age in place? Who wants to stay in the home as long as possible? Who wants to remain safe at home? We all do! However, our home environments can have a significant impact on health, welfare, and safety. Universal design focuses on creating home environments that are accessible to all ages and stages of life.

This program focuses on the seven principles of Universal Design (eXtension, 2011). 1. Equitable Use 2. Flexibility in Use 3. Simple and Intuitive 4. Perceptible Information 5. Tolerance for Error 6. Low Physical Effort 7. Size and Space for Approach and Use

Understanding these principles can help us increase our satisfaction with our home environment for our families and ourselves.

Program objectives: After completing this program, participants should understand:  Basics of universal design  Connection between the home environment and health, welfare, and safety for all age groups  Simple low and no-cost actions that children, families, and caregivers can take to improve health, welfare and safety in the home

Program materials:  For FCS Educators: o Teaching Outline o PowerPoint (full program) o Post-program Safety Team evaluation  For OHCE members: o 15 minute leader lesson and checklist Suggested activities:  This program is meant to be collaborative. Encourage participants to share stories about their interest in “universal design.” Everyone might have a different reason to be interested!

Preparation:  Review the lesson well  Consider reading the book “Universal Design File: Designing for People of All Ages and Abilities” accessible via http://www.ncsu.edu/ncsu/design/cud/pubs_p/pudfiletoc.htm

Contact:  Contact Gina Peek with any questions ([email protected])

Lesson Evaluation: Safety Issue Team  Educators: Following the lesson, please gather the completed evaluations and return them to your County OSU Extension Center no less than one week after lesson.

Sources eXtension. (2011). 7 Principles of Universal Design, 2012, from http://www.extension.org/pages/24186/7-principles-of-universal-design Story, M., Mueller, J. L., & Mace, R.L. The Universal Design File: Designing for People of All Ages and Abilities. Raleigh, NC: North Carolina State University, 1998.