Up Close Publications
  • Home
  • Read Articles
    • Community
    • Education
    • Events
    • Finance
    • Food + Dining
    • Health + Beauty
    • Holidays
    • Home Improvement
    • Las Sendas Golf Club: A Closer Look
    • Local Business
    • Over 50
    • Real Estate
    • Sports
  • Events
  • Service Directory
  • Advertisers
  • Testimonials
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
CALL US AT (480) 748-1127

Up Close Publications

ad Acoya
  • Home
  • Read Articles
    • Community
    • Education
    • Events
    • Finance
    • Food + Dining
    • Health + Beauty
    • Holidays
    • Home Improvement
    • Las Sendas Golf Club: A Closer Look
    • Local Business
    • Over 50
    • Real Estate
    • Sports
  • Events
  • Service Directory
  • Advertisers
  • Testimonials
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Local Business

Adapted home transcends time for elderly homeowner

by Nancy Tossell February 29, 2016March 1, 2016
written by Nancy Tossell February 29, 2016March 1, 2016

HOME AGING REMODELAt 88 years young, Helen bought a resale home to live next to her daughter, but since her new house, built almost 70 years ago, was not designed for the elderly, she hired Jeanette Knudsen, owner of Design For A Life Span, to adapt her home.

Considering her capabilities, Helen had two priorities for adapting her new home.

First, make her home safe enough for a senior citizen. Second, make it safe without looking like its owner is a senior citizen.

Here’s what Jeanette did with the master bedroom and bath—originally two separate rooms opening out to the hall.

The first step was to seal off the bathroom door and open up the wall between the rooms. This ensuite design not only gave Helen easier access to the bathroom, it brightened both rooms and increased her privacy.

Next, the bathtub was removed and replaced with a European-style curbless shower. To add to the spa-like atmosphere, both wall-mounted and hand-held showers were installed, allowing the homeowner to enjoy more than one choice of bathing. In place of doors and shower glass, Helen opted for a curtain mounted on a double bar firmly secured to the walls.

Jeanette spaced the toilet and sink for easy access around both, and took advantage of the natural light coming from the outside window. For cloudy days, she added canned lighting in the ceiling, and the lights on both sides of the mirror have nightlights. The light gray walls and floor tiles, which are white with black accents, have matte finishes to minimize glare.

Next, Jeanette addressed the grab bars. Also called balance bars, these supports now double as décor accents and come in many styles. The bars were coordinated with the sink and shower hardware, using a brushed nickel finish to complete the updated look.

Helen is thrilled with her home, with no plans to leave as long as she has a say. There will come a time when the home goes back up for sale. No matter when that happens, it will stand out from the competition for its timeless beauty with built-in safety features.

Jeanette Knudsen, an award-winning interior designer located in Mesa, is the owner of Design For A Life Span, specializing in Design for Aging and Universal Design. Her designs fit families as they grow and change. She is the only designer in the area to serve on the National Design for Aging Council for the American Society of Interior Designers. You can reach Jeanette at Jeanette@Designforalifespan.com.

 

2 comments
0
FacebookTwitterPinterest
previous post
Peel away the winter gray
next post
Home Staging – Seven Tips To Prepare Your Home For Sale

Related Articles

How Medicare Advantage Might Pay for In-Home Care

September 1, 2019

Positive Aging Strategies to Have Energy at Any...

August 1, 2019

Prepare for the Holidays with Home Upgrades

June 28, 2018

Various promising strategies may help prevent dementia

January 29, 2018

Discover the Secret to Living a Long Life

January 1, 2018

Your Choice of Words Can Impact How Long...

December 1, 2017

Stages of Dementia Progress Differently with Each Individual

August 31, 2017

Out With The Old—In With The New: Preparing...

January 1, 2017

Worried about Alzheimer’s? Try these healthy tips for...

October 29, 2016

Revolutionary Caregiving Model Is Inspired by Japanese Prefecture

September 29, 2016

2 comments

Martha H. March 4, 2016 - 2:12 pm

Beautiful!

Reply
Jeanette June 3, 2016 - 9:15 am

Thank you Martha H.
Sincerely, Jeanette Knudsen

Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Read Print Issue Now

find us on social media

Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest

Trending Articles

  • Mesa Citizen of the Year Association Honors Students for Exceptional Service and Lifelong Impact

  • Curiosity, Geometry, and Arts and The Shaping of The Future

  • So, What Kind of Music Do You Like?

  • Xoxo Charcuterie Mesa is aone stop solution for great events

  • Getting Off theLong, Uphill Bicycle Ride

Read PDF Editions





GET IN TOUCH

Kim Phillips
Publisher
(480) 748-1127
publisher@phillipswest.com

 


 
Monica Adair
Advertising Representative
(480) 772-1949
monica@goupclose.com

Email Us



    Sign up for our newsletter



      • Facebook
      • Twitter
      • Instagram
      • Pinterest
      • Advertise
      • Contact Us
      • About Us

      Ⓒ 2020 Phillips West Publishing | Website by Rangefinder Studios