Aging in place glossary

Aging in place — living in your own home and community safely and independently as you age, instead of relocating to assisted living or a nursing home. Universal design — designing so a space works for as many people as possible without adaptation; the seven principles were published by NC State University's Center for Universal Design in version 2.0 on April 1, 1997. Barrier-free — a space with no physical obstacles to movement, most often used to describe a shower with no curb. Adaptable design — a space built so it can be changed later without demolition, for example a bathroom with blocking already in the walls for future grab bars.

Visitability — a minimum standard so that a person with a mobility limit can visit: one step-free entrance, wide enough interior doorways on the main floor, and a usable bathroom on that floor. Zero-step entry — a way into the house with no step at all, achieved by regrading, a gentle sloped walk or a level landing rather than a bolted-on ramp. Clear width — the actual usable opening of a doorway, measured between the face of the door and the stop with the door open 90 degrees; the ADA minimum is 32 inches (§404.2.3), which is why a 36-inch door slab is the usual specification.

Clear floor space — the ADA's 30-by-48-inch minimum footprint a person needs to approach and use a fixture, positioned for either a forward or a side approach (§305.2). Turning space — a 60-inch diameter circle, or a T-shaped space 60 by 60 inches with 36-inch-wide arms, allowing a 180-degree turn (§304.3). Transfer space — the clear area beside a toilet or shower seat that lets someone move across from a wheelchair; in the ADA's water closet requirements this shows up as a 60-inch-wide by 56-inch-deep clearance (§604.3.1), a public-restroom dimension that residential work generally has to approximate.

Comfort height — a toilet with a taller bowl, reducing how far a person lowers and pushes up; the ADA reference for an accessible water closet seat is 17 to 19 inches above the floor (§604.4). Grab bar — a wall-mounted bar rated to bear body weight; the ADA requires 1¼ to 2 inch diameter, 1½ inches clearance from the wall, 33 to 36 inches mounting height, and resistance to 250 pounds of force at any point on the bar, fastener, mounting device or supporting structure (§604.5). Reach range — the 15 to 48 inch band within which controls should sit (§308). Occupational therapist — a licensed clinician who assesses how a person performs daily activities and recommends equipment, technique changes and home modifications. CAPS — Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist, a training designation from the National Association of Home Builders; a credential, not a license.

How to choose

Insist on 'clear width,' not 'door width'

They differ by three to four inches. Contracts that say 'widen doorway' without the clear dimension routinely deliver less than expected.

Know that 'barrier-free' and 'ADA compliant' are marketing in a residential context

Neither term is certified for private homes. Ask which specific dimensions the design meets and which it doesn't.

Ask for adaptable design when you can't afford accessible design

Blocking in the walls, a bathroom door rough-framed wider, electrical run for a future lift. It's cheap now and it's what makes phase two affordable.

Treat visitability as the floor, not the goal

One step-free entry, wide main-floor doorways, one usable bathroom. It's a modest target and most existing houses can hit it.