Aging population demands
independence, says survey

RESULTS OF a recent survey
show that nearly eight million peo-
ple in Canada were age 45 or over
-in 1991 — close to one third of the
population of this country, said
Stephen Mayhew, president of the
Greater Vancouver Home Builders’
. Association (GVHBA).

Mayhew said the Statistics
Canada survey also revealed that
almost three million Canadians are
65 or older —- one third living in
_ private houscholds with some form
of health or activity limitation.

The large baby-boomer sector of
our population demands practical
solutions for convenient and inde-
pendent living at home — for now,
and for the future,

“Thoughtful, creative, and often

imple renovations are dramatically -

increasing the comfort and safety of
xisting dwellings.
At the same time,

controls are casier to operate than
conventional switches for many
people.

Convenient three-way switches
make it possible to control the
porch or garage light from inside
the house, or to tur interior lights
on and off from different levels in
the home.

Light switches can be lowered

and electrical outlets raised to with-
in casy reach,
In the kitchen: Lowering kitchen
cabinets make them more accessi-
ble, as can installing pull-out cabi-
nets or pop-latch cupboards.

Side-by-side refrigerator/freez-
ers, levered taps and faucets, and
stove tops with front or side con-
trols can also be easier to use.

Sinks can be. installed to allow
for wheelchair clearance under-

“neath, with the
underside and

quate turnaround space fora wheel-
chair into any new bathroom layout
to allow for future needs.
Throughout the house:
Renovating for convenience can
include redesigning doorways and
room layouts to allow for wheel-
chair clearance, installing clevators
or chair lifts, and laying slip-resis-
tant flooring wood, -unglazed
ceramic tile, cushion flooring or
short-pile, anti-static carpeting.

For a list of professional renova- ¢

lors in your area, contact the
GVHBA at 590-5256,

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tomorrow's needs In the bath- 1 we also provide a consulting service in bulicing your own home, covering

~ with today’s reno- 66 Roll-in showers coom: Statistics f . i"
-‘vation designs, Canada research Payments « Products * Trades » Insurance » WCB ° City Hall, etc.

bathroom reno-

. -products,” he said.

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The following. Seats inthe shower vation is the

information from -

most often

the GVHBA high-. and tub can-be undertaken for
lights how profes- installed. Tilting physical comfort

sional renovators

and

are accommodating -muiry ‘Ors, shallow nience.

‘the growing needs

The tub is the

of an... aging, sinks also improve most. common
‘ fixture to be,: ¥

: Canadian popula-,.

tions, , accessibility. 99 modified, and.

Opening. doors: A
‘porch’ or overhang .
e'an entrance...
door provides ‘shel-’,
fer from the the ele-
“ments while homeowners locate.
keys or manoeuvre mobility equip-
ment, ae

Electronically operated garage |

‘doors are a welcome security fea-
ture.: :
Wide doorways, pocket doors
.. that slide inte interior walls, pop-
‘latch cupboards, levers rather than
knobs, pull-out shelves and closets,
‘and' pull-down shelves and clothes
racks can all make a real difference
for those who have ‘difficulty
around the house. :
: Simple Switches: Push- -pad Tight

manufacturers
offer a range of
products to
accommodate
special needs.

A bath seat built-eround the tub

_makes'it casier to swing the legs

over.the side, and water controls
can be placed within casy reach.

‘Roll-in showers and pull-down
seats in the shower and tub can be
installed.

Tilting mirrors, shallow sinks
and raised toilet fixtures also
improve accessibility.

Many renovators recommend
installing 5.8 i in, (15.875 mm) ply-
wood or strandboard behind dry-
wall in the bathroom (to accommo-
date grab bars), and working adc-

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