50+ living in your own home is all about independent, barrier-free comfort and function.  It’s a form of accessibility that benefits all the generations of your family and friends who come into your home, which is why it is also known as Universal Design.

Remaining in your home requires thinking about how your life is currently, and what your needs might be for the future.  This is where a Certified Aging In-Place Specialist (CAPS) can assist you with the questions, designs and remodeling you will need to turn your house into a home for a lifetime.

Interior Accessible Design

A St. Louis couple had been in the same home for decades.  They had raised a family there, and their children and grandchildren all lived nearby.  Nearing retirement, they realized that they wanted to stay in their own home within the their community, but wanted to explore how to prepare the house for the years ahead.

Working with a Mosby Building Arts CAPS designer, they reviewed current needs and future concerns and decided to make the master bathroom their first mobility project because this where we tend to first notice changing capabilities.  Standing in the shower, the low height of a toilet bowl or operating the hot and cold taps on the sink becomes a bit more difficult.  There are many functional solutions to all of these issues, but it should also be attractive so that we are inspired by our surroundings.  Or as we say about all our CAPS remodeling projects: “Mobility Is Beautiful!”

To look at this bathroom, you would not immediately know that it’s accessible, but it certainly is.  The His and Hers bathroom vanities have single-lever faucet handles for ease of use, and are separated by a chair-height counter top with open space below.  This can accommodate a chair now or a wheelchair in the future.

The toilet is of taller height than average with a grab bar to the right which makes it easier to access, and comes with a push-button control pad mounted to the bathroom cabinet.

The walk-in shower has a low-clearance threshold, multiple brushed, stainless grab bars, a handheld shower wand and a retractable teak wood bench mounted to the wall.

See more photos of this accessible bathroom project.

All of these accessible master bathroom items can be used now for ease of use and security, and should there be a time when they need these features, having them already in place helps with these changes.  And at all times, it is a beautiful space that is already enhancing their lifestyle.

Exterior Accessible Design

We have a remodeling client that we’ve worked with on previous mobility projects.  She is currently vibrant and active, but is thinking ahead and prefers to be prepared.  We have moved her laundry room from the basement to a new ground floor addition off the garage, and even built new, shallow steps for easier access from the garage to the house (above).

She is also a veteran gardener with a gorgeous backyard, so we came up with designs to make her outdoor living just as accessible as indoors.  We designed and built a new patio with a lightly textured concrete surface for better traction, and a screen porch with a zero-clearance entry from the patio so that a walker or wheelchair.

Her favorite feature is the concrete ramp that takes one from the patio down into the garden.  She already enjoys how convenient the lack of steps is, which highlights how so many of the universal designs just make good sense for everyone who uses them.

See more photos of this project.

Other features that add mobility and beauty to outdoor living include increased lighting, raised flower planters and beds, raised height water spigots and wide sliding or French doors leading out to the area. When done properly, nothing looks out of the ordinary because it looks extraordinary.

Mosby Building Arts has three CAPS team members – including Scott Mosby who was the first national CAPS ambassador – who are certified and experienced at helping you live more comfortably in your home for all your days.  To explore your options for beautiful mobility, call us at 314.909.1800 or contact us here.

February 7, 2007
International Builders’ Show
Orlando, Florida

It was a sunny, 75 degrees outside the auditorium where Scott stepped up to receive an honor from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), who designated him the Certified Aging In-Place Specialist of 2006. The award was presented by Beverly Koehn and CAPS board chairman Bill Owens. Scott spoke for about 2 minutes in front of 250 industry professionals and peers, and his words at that time bear repeating:

“I believe we all share the desire to remain independent and live in our homes for the long term. Living independently throughout all phases of our lives is a universal desire, therefore we need universal design in our homes. I applaud all the CAPS professionals who remodel homes to nurture and support homeowners.

“People of all ages are likely to discover this important need for universal design features in our homes when we experience a mishap, accident or sports injury that alters our physical ability. Imagine being on crutches, a walker or wheelchair as you move from your garage through your home. Everyday things like narrow halls and doorways, bath fixtures and light switches can – over night – become barriers for mobility.

“Often, life events create an immediate need for adapting your home to a new mobility standard. I am part of the national network that will take care of you should that sudden need arise. But what is just as important is educating people on why universal design features should become a standard building and remodeling feature. Preparing our homes for all abilities is important now, before we need them.

“I am committed to the CAPS mission of designing & remodeling our homes to assure an independent lifestyle for as long as possible. Building universal features into our homes provides each of us with self reliance. CAPS professionals have the solutions that allow us to be proactive throughout all phases of our lives, and I thank the CAPS Board of Governors for acknowledging just how important this subject is to me and the industry I represent. I am grateful for the honor.”

“As I go through the aging process and notice my changing capabilities, I understand how important it is to empower people to live a productive life,” observes Scott Mosby. “I use every chance I get to promote the opportunity for people to think ahead in their lives and prepare their homes for all levels of ability and mobility.”

Because of this outlook, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the Board of Governors of Certified Aging In Place Specialists (CAPS) have appointed Scott Mosby the CAPS Designee of the Year.

In a congratulatory phone call to Scott, Bill Owen (CAPS board chairman), said that in a year with a lot of great nominees, Scott was like “cream rising to the top with all your great endeavors” in promoting and educating both the industry and the public on Aging-In-Place and Universal Design.

There are 5 CAPS trained and certified people at Mosby Building Arts, and we are active in educating people on how to remain productive and happy in their own homes as their capabilities change with age and health.

Scott consistently spreads the knowledge on how to prepare your home to serve you forever through his company’s website, his KMOX radio show and public speaking at several home builders’ shows.

On February 7^th in Orlando, Florida, Scott will be presented with the CAPS Designee of the Year award during NAHB ceremonies at the 2007 International Builders’ Show. We at Mosby are so proud of Scott for earning this honor, and getting the chance to soak up some Florida sunshine in the middle of the winter!