39
difference in getting up and down without compromising
the look of the bathroom or costing a fortune.”
Goldwasser’s favorite feature is the roll-in shower with
enough room to turn a wheelchair. Faucet handles located just
inside the shower allow the user to operate them and establish
a suitable water temperature before stepping or rolling beneath
the showerhead. A glass wall maximizes available daylight making
it easier to maintain bearings. She says she got the idea for
the shower design from the AARP website.
“There is a lot of information there on planning your home
for aging,” she adds. “That’s also where I got the information
about including lots of light.” As you age, your eyes don’t
refract light as quickly, so bright spaces are very helpful. “That
is why everything in here is light.”
Also, Goldwasser added special touches like grab-bars
designed as towel racks. The bathroom tissue hardware operates
by lifting a lever instead of squeezing a spring form batten.
“I wanted safety and convenience elements, but hid them
with smart, simplified design.”
The combined results incorporate handicap equipment while
creating the illusion of a beautiful, modern design.
Getting around the house
It’s a major concern — moving from room to room is a
must, but it can be difficult if corridors and doorways are
too narrow. And, certainly, stairs can pose an issue, even
without considering the limitations of walkers and wheelchairs.
Wide hallways and entryways can solve the problem — even
offering enough room for seniors to walk next to a caregiver.
Carpet-less floors also go a long way toward easy, trip-free
travel. For getting up the stairs, Goldwasser incorporated an
elevator.
Double front doors with levered hardware, hardwood floors with no carpets, and generously proportioned corridors with pocket
door entries allow for the smooth passage of all ages in the Goldwasser house, designed for Aging in Place. The built-in desk is
wheelchair accesible. Opposite, a roll-in shower is equipped with decorative but functional hardware. Readily accessible fixtures
include temperature control devices and conveniently located switch plates. A glass panel permits sunlight to travel throughout
the room and the vanity counter is placed for wheelchair accessibility.
www.wrightsvillebeachmagazine.com WBM