This document summarizes features that two couples incorporated into their new homes to allow them to age in place. The first couple built a three-level house on a sloping lot with an elevator, winding walkway, and wheelchair accessibility throughout. The second couple's home was designed by the Universal Design Housing Network to be fully accessible, including wide doorways and furniture placement to accommodate a motorized scooter. Universal design aims to create housing that is comfortable and convenient for all people regardless of age or ability.

1. -- -
'Minority Report' makes 2054
seem too close for comfort
,Preview,behind Classi6ed
city. com/living THE KANSAS CITY STAR.
~OWING
,
EFUL
By CINDY HOEDEL
The Kan..' City Star
hen Bob Cantrell and his wife, Beth
Randall, decided to build a Waterfront
house at Lake Lotawana, tileywanted
a home for a lifetime. "I've always said
I'm not going to get kicked out of my
house by tile house," Cantrellsaid
Cantrell and Randall are both able-
bodied. But like a growing n111ilberof
their baby boo!per peers, they are
building with an eye to the future; integrating features
such as level enttyways, roll,in showers!lld raised toilets
that will aJIowtilem to stay in their h9mes as tiley age.
Mter all, it's not a question of whether joints will ,stiffen
and reflexes will slow, but when and to what extent.
Uke manyyear-rotffid lake residents, Cantrell and Ran-
dall are watersports entilusiasts. They've seen plenty of
friends tileir own ages with "blown" backs and knees, and
they wanted to make sure they would be able to get to
their boat slip bywheelchair, if necessary. So they put an
elevator in theirthree-levelhouse, which sits on a sloping
lot, and a winding concrete wa1kway from the house to
the slip.
Inside, tile house is entirely wheelchair-accessible. The
36-inch dOQrways and open layouts blend right in witil
, the oversizedwindowsand
expansive views; The roll-in
shower looks more like a
chic design choice than a
concession to tile relentless
advance of time.
'DesIgned
Wifhpurpose
Tp.epath from, the drive-
"fI'Y to the front door of
~tired teachers KarenRugg
and Jeanie McConnell's , ",', , "',, ,'. ,'", " ", Pho""'hji'K,i!viNAAoERSON/The
house looks much nicer Karen Rttgg ijllli'fuIi access to her entire story-an!l'a-h8lfh!,use:~n the gUest bathroom,ls big enough for her
motorized scooter around in.
than a ramp. Crossing the
level threshold from the
po~ into the house, you
don't even notice, at first,
that there are no steps.
In the dining roOm, to the OPENHOUSE
left of the door, 'widely
spaced columns look like A single'family home re- i
decorative accents, not a
handicapped-accessible 31. , cently c'lrnpleted by the'!
temative to a wall. In tile liv- ljhiversal Design Housing,l
ing room, the furniture is Network will be open to!
grouped in such a way that
spaces left carefully empty the public this weekendl
and during ~he Parade of!
for Rugg's motorized scooter
Homes in September.
See USEFUL,E-3 Address; 5615 E.16th St.!
HQurs; Noon to 5 p.m.:
Saturday and Sunday. ;
For more information, or!
Pull:out pantry drawers elinti- to schedule an appoint-;
Date overhead reaching and, the ment to tour the house at:
danger of falling objects for another time. cail (BI6}
Kathryn Rugg. 942-1100.