ASAP ARCHITECTURAL SOLUTIONS FOR THE AGING POPULATION
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Families and Seniors now have a new solution/services to help them:
- avoid the cost of assisted living
- increase safety and maintain their lifestyle
- have more livable and beautiful spaces
Larson Shores Architects has made a commitment to improving people’s lives through design focused within the aging population. With or without disability, we challenge the function and ease of everyday life making our environments more accessible and adaptable. Our service coined ASAP (Architectural Solutions for the Aging Population) is designed to specifically address the lack of inspired housing available to seniors forecasted over the next 50 years. As Certified Age-In-Place specialist, our end goal is to create a barrier-free environment for our clients allowing them to live as independently and effortlessly as possible.
Larson Shores ASAP offers homeowners four levels of service to address aging in place.
ASAP EVALUATION – This is the start to a real solution. The introductory product of the new division is an audit of the client’s home using a checklist to identify the potential issue for aging in place. The audit reduces risk and suggests simple solutions for a safer environment. The process may include a review of flooring materials and lighting to avoid slipping, task lighting in the kitchen, or replacing of door knobs with levers. The report includes every area of the home, both inside and out.
ASAP MASTER PLAN – The Master Plan offers a real design solution for the appropriate expansion and renovation of the home. This includes floor plan options depicting reorganization of rooms for full access with mobility challenges. This might include design suggestions for creating an accessible master suite within the existing home footprint, creating an attached accessible studio apartment, or designing opportunities for living separations that support multigenerational households. Having the plan reduces risk of crisis because the family can budget and stage the renovations over a number of years.
ASAP RENOVATION – This is a real solution to staying in one's home. The ASAP Renovation takes the Master Plan further and includes developing the plans and working with homeowners/construction team to get the appropriate permits and drawings for the actual remodel of the home. Guidance and budgeting is provided throughout the construction process.
ASAP INSPIRED IN LAW UNIT – The advantages of the Inspired In-law are that all generations maintain privacy and families have peace of mind with a real solution in place. The Inspired In-law is a comprehensive kit that includes a construction drawing set of pre-designed plans for a sustainable backyard apartment that is fully independent from the main house. This one-bedroom home has been designed for older parents to live close to their families without feeling like they have moved into their children’s lives. The plans come pre-engineered and allow the homeowner to hire a contractor of their choice. Assistance for zoning and placement of the unit on your property is included with the plans, which also include an owner’s manual to guide home owners through the construction --from estimating the cost, to what to expect at each phase. Several siding and color options are available, as well as interior material palates. The In-Law is designed by “green” standards that make the in-law socially and environmentally responsible.
Larson and Shores both have unique perspectives on this topic – for Carrie, she was challenged by a serious spinal problem. While her challenge was temporary she found she was confronted constantly by daily tasks in her home that she couldn’t do alone. Facing challenges reminded her of the battle she was up against and her energy went toward that and not healing. For Joshua it was growing up with a mother who was a social worker specializing in gerontology, who made it a priority to understand and respect the process of aging. With both of his parents working in nursing homes, the concepts of empathy are a part of his outlook on life and remain a vital part of his professional values.