High-tech, stylish help now available for aging baby boomers

[afkama]

LAS VEGAS — A grab bar for the bathroom shower that makes you think "pretty" before "old." A kitchen drawer for trash that makes you think "wow" before "useful." A kitchen faucet with temperature presets that says "looks elegant" before "avoids burns."
There's been a "night and day difference" in the last five years in what's being offered to enable people to "age in place" without feeling that their home has been turned into a hospital, said Mary Jo Peterson, whose Connecticut-based interiors firm specializes in accessible design.
"Manufacturers are waking up and saying, 'I need to do something'" to be part of the market for universal design, a concept that refers to designing for people of every age and ability, said Peterson, who spoke at a seminar at the show.




Read more: http://www.centredaily.com/2011/05/13/2710544/high-tech-stylish-help-now-available.html#ixzz1MFjiqn2G

[Eieio]

I am seeing it more and more, every one wants to be connected in and out the home, ipad and iphone accessories put everywhere.. More gadgets than ever before.. I hope we can capitalize on it some more, like I said before I see the tech stuff taking off soon and not just for the wealthy.

[Bodger]

Have they come up with a new baby boomer friendly name for adult diapers yet?

[afkama]

Have they come up with a new baby boomer friendly name for adult diapers yet?

Per wikipedia:

Astronauts (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astronauts) wear trunklike diapers called "Maximum Absorbency Garments (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximum_Absorbency_Garment)", or MAGs, during liftoff and landing

If I can be of any further assistance in helping you maintain your dignity during this difficult period in your life grandpa, please feel free to ask.

[Bodger]

Per wikipedia:



If I can be of any further assistance in helping you maintain your dignity during this difficult period in your life grandpa, please feel free to ask.


I'm fine with the landings, it's the lift-offs where I'm shittin' myself. :laugh3:

[kornerking]

Let me age gracefully like my Grandparents did. Killed on the job.

[AdaptMy2]

Make fun if you like, but we all get there sooner or later (hopefully). In the meantime, wouldn't it be nicer to live in a house or apartment that is friendlier to you needs? A house that enables rather than standing in the way?

You folks build houses and remodel houses. Why not make the best of the job by using enabling features and thinking ahead to a time when a body won't accept everything? (Obviously I am singing the praises of Universal Design)

Oh, some call Adult Diapers disposable underwear.

[Bodger]

Disposable underwear. :laugh3:

I've had to throw out a few pairs of tighty-whiteys, but they weren't supposed to be disposable.

I agree, a house should suit the needs of its inhabitants. In my case, that includes several drop-down panels that contain firearms, placed strategically around the dwelling.

Old folks need a lot of security, in case gypsies come by and offer to fix the roof or resurface the driveway.

[afkama]

Make fun if you like, but we all get there sooner or later (hopefully). In the meantime, wouldn't it be nicer to live in a house or apartment that is friendlier to you needs? A house that enables rather than standing in the way?

You folks build houses and remodel houses. Why not make the best of the job by using enabling features and thinking ahead to a time when a body won't accept everything? (Obviously I am singing the praises of Universal Design)

Oh, some call Adult Diapers disposable underwear.

I agree with you completely. What you are reading is two old guys lamenting the reality of getting old and senile. Bodger and I both qualify for the senior discount just about everywhere we go.
I got one of those wide tape measures with the big numbers on them last week and was so excited about it that I almost needed one of those disposable underwears.

Aging in place has become a standard facet in the discussions with my clients. Even if they aren't in need at the moment we find that we are working a lot of contingencies into the designs to accommodate them later.