Livable
Communities Checklists
Below are lists of design and product suggestions for
your home that can increase safety, comfort, convenience, and
livability for everyone.
Entrances
& Exits Checklist
Below is a list of design and product suggestions for a
home's entryway and exits that can increase safety, comfort,
convenience, and livability for everyone. Check off the ideas that you
may want to include in your own home.
- At least one no-step pathway into the house
- Ample and level maneuvering room, 5 feet by 5 feet,
in entryway
- 36-inch-wide entry door with lever-style handle
- Zero-threshold doorway
- Covered entrance to protect from inclement
weather
- Shelf near entrance to put packages while opening and
closing door
- Bright lighting inside and outside entries
- Lighted doorbell at an easily reachable height
- Easy-open door locks, such as keyless locks with
remote or keypad codes
- High-visibility house numbers
- Handrails on both sides of steps
- Railings on porches
- Slip-resistant walkways and entryways
Den
& Living Room Checklist
Below is a list of design and product suggestions for a
home's den and living room that can increase safety, comfort,
convenience, and livability for everyone. Check off the ideas that you
may want to include in your own home.
- 36-inch-wide doors for easy access, or pocket doors
- Level flooring throughout the house
- Easy-touch, rocker-style light switches 42 inches off
the floor
- Electrical outlets 18 inches off the floor
- Seating at least 18 inches off the floor
- Extra electrical outlets to accommodate future
technology or medical-equipment needs
- Rearrange furniture and remove any clutter to allow
for clear, wide passageways
Kitchen
Checklist
Here is a list of design and product suggestions for a
home kitchen or laundry area that can increase safety, comfort,
convenience, and livability for everyone. Check off the ideas that you
may want to include in your own home.
- 36-inch-wide doors for easy access or pocket doors
- Multi-height, rounded-edge countertops to enable
residents to work standing or seated
- Color-contrast front edges on countertops to help
prevent spills
- Clear counter space next to sink and all appliances
- Space for a chair under sink or cooktop for seated
users
- Easy-access storage, such as pull-out
pantry or adjustable-height shelving
- Stove-top water access to fill pots
- Bright, non-glare task lighting over sink, stove, and
work areas
- Anti-scald faucet with lever-style handle
- D-shaped or pull-style cabinet and drawer handles
- Easy-glide drawers that close automatically
- Drawer-style dishwasher or raised platform under
dishwasher to reduce bending
- Easy-access side-by-side refrigerator/freezer or
under-counter, drawer-style refrigerator
- Front-mounted appliance controls that are highly
visible or can be operated by touch
- Built-in storage space for easy-access and removable
recyclables and trash
- Electrical outlets 18 inches off the floor
- Extra electrical outlets for small appliances; some
outlets located under countertops for easy access
- Rocker-style light switches, 42 inches off the floor
- Easily accessible garbage-disposal switch
- Laundry on main floor
- Front-loading washer and dryer, stacked or on raised
platform to reduce bending, with accessible controls on front
- Laundry sink and countertop no more than 34 inches
above floor with knee space below for seated users
- Bright task-lighting in laundry
- Wall-mounted folding table that lies flat when not in
use
- Non-slip flooring
Bedroom
Checklist
Here is a list of design and product suggestions for a
home bedroom that can increase safety, comfort, convenience, and
livability for everyone. Check off the ideas that you may want to
include in your own home.
- 36-inch-wide doors for easy access or pocket doors
- Rocker-style light switches, 42 inches off the floor
- Closet with multi-level or pull-down shelving and
clothes rod
- Avoid bi-fold or accordion closet doors, which can be
difficult to open and close
- Electrical outlets 18inches off the floor
- Extra electrical outlets to accommodate technology or
future medical-equipment needs
/div>
Bathroom
Checklist
Below is a list of design and product suggestions for a
home bathroom that can increase safety, comfort, convenience, and
livability for everyone. Check off the ideas that you may want to
include in your own home.
- 36-inch-wide door for easy access, or pocket door
- Rocker-style light switches, 42 inches off the floor
- Lever handle, anti-scald faucets on sink, bathtub,
and shower
- No threshold walk-in or roll-in shower with minimum
dimensions 5 feet by 3 feet (4 feet preferred)
- Hand-held, adjustable-height showerhead
with easily operable controls
- Maneuvering space that accommodates a 60-inch turning
radius
- Toilet centered 18 inches from any side wall, tub, or
cabinet
- Toilet seat 17 to 19 inches off floor for older
persons, lower for children
- Grab bars or wall-blocking for future installation in
tub, shower and near toilet
- Knee space under sink for seated users
- Easy-glide drawers that close automatically
- Countertops with rounded edges
- Bright, non-glare lighting
- Reduced-slip tile or non-skid floor
- D-shaped or pull-style cabinet and drawer handles
- Full-length and/or tilted mirror that can be used
seated or standing
- Towel bars, soap and toothbrush holders 48 inches off
floor
- Sink bowl mounted close to front edge of vanity for
easier use while seated
- Integral transfer seat in tub and built-in bench or
shower chair in shower
- Electrical outlets 18 inches off the floor
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This
is a recent report on the 55+ housing market as compiled by the
National Association of Homebuilders and Met Life.
Click on the picture for the 78 page report.
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