visitable housing sept. 2015
TRANSCRIPT
VisitAble Housing
Riding the Wave of Change:
Managing Transitions in Housing Older Adults
Wednesday September 30, 2015
We Seem to Love Stairs a Lot!
But, Stairs Limit
Staircases are a common area for falls within the home
Over 50% of falls by older adults occur in their own home
Stairs are the leading cause of serious falls among community-living elderly, Account for about one-third of all fatal falls
A large portion of older adults are hospitalized after a fall on stairs or steps in their homes
Waterloo Region health study shows high health care costs due to falls including greater institutionalization
And, Stairs Can Be Unsafe
Build housing that is visit-able:
Three (3) basic
accessibility features on at least one level of
all homes.
Solution: Stop Building Stairs
Front, side OR back entrance
One No Step Entrance
Also provide barrier free path of access to the entrance
Wider Doorways & Hallways
A bathroom that can be accessed by visitors who use mobility devices
Half Bath With Turning Radius
VisitAble Housing is the minimum standard for accessibility
Ensures a home can be visited by friends and family members who have mobility limitations
Does not define all possible accessibility features
What VisitAble Housing is/is Not!
The Accessible Design Spectrum
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
VisitAble Housing Adaptable Housing Accessible Housing
To
tal #
of
Feat
ure
s
Level of Accessibility
Minimum Standard: Basic features to make main level accessible.
Additional features to make is easier to renovate if needed.
Specific accessibility features in all areas of a home – inside and out
Visit + Able
As Mary says: “From cradle to cane!”
https://www.youtube.com/w
atch?feature=player_embedded&v=S0i2xQ4_rbI
VisitAble Housing is for Life!
Aging in place
Disabilities – permanent or temporary
People with disabilities can visit their friends/family
Generally helpful to anyone– moving, baby strollers, groceries, etc.
Background: Who Benefits?
Use the assessment guide and checklist to assess homes
Tell us about any housing that you find – we would like to add it to our local inventory
Spread the word – VisitAble Housing is good for everyone!
What You Can Do
We can all play an essential role in meeting housing needs in our community
For more information about the K-W VisitAble Housing initiative visit:
www.waterlooregion.org/visitable Or contact:
Trudy Beaulne or Sydney Atwood Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo
[email protected] 519-579-1096 X *3006
Our appreciation to the Canadian Centre on Disabilities Studies, CMHC and K-W Task Force members for
contributing to this presentation and to creating the assessment tools
Thank You