We all love walking into a well-laid out bathroom with thoughtfully designed tile, lav, shower and maybe a roomy tub. However, to truly love a bathroom, all plumbing fixtures should be ergonomically easy to use

The same modifications for aging in place are appropriate for anyone who has had surgery, pregnant women (sometimes the balance is off . . . ), a broken leg, and other injuries. What are the

It’s no secret that the population of people over 65 in the United States is increasing. Most of them would like to remain in their home as long as possible – who wouldn’t? Living in

Vertical, sliding shower wand bars are not designed as grab bars – for a sliding bar that you can trust to keep you from falling, you need an actual vertically mounted grab bar. They are

If you are way too young to worry about the infirmities of older age, think about what problems you would have at home if you broke your leg while snowboarding or biking in our Whatcom

Typically, we think of bathrooms as the part of the house that most needs upgrading to be user-friendly to those with mobility issues or other age-related issues. However, the kitchen can really use some assistance

Bathrooms suffer from a lot of exposure to moisture, and so require repair or updating more frequently than most parts of the house. When it is time for you to start planning your next bathroom

Curbless showers are popular both because of their ability to provide a clean design and meet aging-in-place and Universal Design requirements. Without a step into the shower, there is no interruption in the floor tile,

These are not contradictory goals! Manufacturers in recent years have been aware of the need for safety features in the modern bath and have been designing and producing products to that add functionality and style.

What does that mean, and who says so? All the studies are showing that seniors are preferring to stay in their homes as long as possible, instead of moving to retirement homes. If you love your

There should be a bathroom on the main floor. A bathroom located where the senior spends most of their time means they can avoid using the stairs. Bathrooms should be large enough to accommodate someone

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, every year about 235,000 people over age 15 end up in the emergency room because of injuries suffered in the bathroom, and almost 14 percent end

Why should you care? What is it? It’s not what homeowners looking to upgrade their homes usually think about – until they need it, that is. Other names for barrier-free are Universal Design, and Aging-in-Place.

Age really has nothing to do with adding grab bars and designing your home to accommodate a wheelchair. The most active homeowner can break a leg skiing, or have some other accident. When remodeling your

  Bellingham is a popular city for active retirees, with our close proximity to sea and mountains. But what happens when physical challenges make it hard to get around the house? One popular solution is to

Have grab bars installed, to reduce the risk of falls and assist your senior with mobility issues or balance problems. Typical locations are near the toilet, tub and shower. Note that in senior housing, railings

You just got a call to bring your loved one home from an assisted living facility. You panic, knowing they cannot get around your home as it is. What to do? We get calls like

If you have a great marble countertop on your new lav and a spectacular tiled shower, you still might be unhappy with your bath remodel if every time you try to turn off the faucet

Homeowners over the age of 55 make a large percentage of those having remodel work done on their homes. Many older homeowners wish to remain in their home rather than move out as they age. This

What does that mean if you are planning on remodeling part of your home? Remodeling magazine has some interesting articles on this topic – it must mean there are a lot “boomers” out there! There

It isn’t just for seniors or those with physical challenges. Safety is important for all of us, and especially with the slippery surfaces in the bath. The good news is, you can get safety fixtures

Serious injuries from falling are an occupational hazard for many older persons. The National Institute for Health and the CDC say that more than one in three people age 65 or older will suffer from

Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies published a report this month titled “Housing America’s older adults – meeting the needs of an aging population”.  It is interesting from several viewpoints; one, confirming that in the next

In recent years households have been moving toward more flexible uses of space. This includes an open space layout, often with informal family space integrated into kitchen space. Informality in home layouts also has become

Bathrooms are the most hazardous room in the house! Small spaces, wet floors and hard surfaces can make it dangerous for those with balance problems, low vision and just inaccessible to wheelchairs. Whatcom County attracts