Page 29 - Flathead Beacon // 1.15.13

FLATHEADBEACON.COM
JANUARY 15, 2014 | 29

REAL ESTATE

MONTANA LIFESTYLES
Building for Your Future

By JOYCE MITCHELL
rooms, but for outside walkways. As
attractive as stamped concrete walk-
It is a refreshing sight to see some ways and driveways are, they tend to
of the home sites that have been on the be slippery and they are higher main-

market for oh-so long inally purchased tenance. You might want to consider
with new homes soon to be in place. I aggregate walkways that ofer better
have had a number of my clients contact traction in poor weather conditions.
me this year regarding their new home • Good lighting is important, especially
plans, asking for any tips and recom- important for kitchens, bathrooms,
mendations on home construction.
laundry rooms and closets. Don’t for-
Perhaps the best advice is for one to get about the importance of good natu-
determine how long you plan to be in the ral lighting from windows as well. Mo-

house and then design accordingly. For tion-triggered lighting outside garages
those of us over 50 years of age, sustain- that can light up walkways are a great
ability is a key element in home design. beneit.
After all, we are not getting any younger • Think also about easier access to con-
and we all would like a home that is de- trols throughout the home from light
signed to allow us to age gracefully and switches, outlets, heating and A/C
comfortably in it. With the massive pop- controls, and access panels for air ilter
ABOVE: NALTY REAL ESTATE
ulation of Baby Boomers hitting retire- LEFT: SHUTTERSTOCK PHOTO
changes. In fact, I am seeing the return
ment age, we are seeing a new genera- of medicine cabinets in bathrooms as
tion of products and home designs spe- they ofer eye level shelving for easy to
ciically geared for aging-in-place. With UNIVERSAL read and ind medications.
that, you will likely be hearing some new • Heights have changed as well. Micro-
terms now in the building industry: Uni- DESIGN IS IN- waves at counter height; washers and
versal Design and Certiied Aging-in- CORPORATED IN dryers elevated a good 12 to 15 inch-
Place Specialist (CAPS).
es from loor; counter and cabinetry
BUILDING DESIGN
Universal Design is incorporated in heights, toilets seats 19 to 22 inches
building design by architects and the BY ARCHITECTS from loor base.
building industry, while the CAPS pro- AND THE BUILDING • Lawn maintenance and landscaping
gram is utilized mostly by remodelers are also areas that can be altered or
and health care consultants. The CAPS INDUSTRY.
planned for more convenient living.
program was developed by the National Less lawn to mow, lower maintenance
Association of Home Builders in corrob- plants such as perennials or slow
oration with Home Innovation Research and knee issues, and diminished eye- consider turnaround areas through-
growing plants.
Labs and AARP.
sight and hearing.
out the home.
None of us wants to age. In fact, have
While there are a multitude of fea- While we may be free of these now, • Well lit large walk-in showers with a
you noticed all these new “anti-aging”
tures that are addressed in Universal they may creep into your lifestyle before built-in seat and hand-held or pole- cr̀mes, pills, vitamins and treatments
Design, below are a few of the changes you know it. These considerations are adjusting shower wands and grab bars. out there? As much as we may be ighting
you might want to consider in creating addressed in Universal Design.
(Step-in bathtubs are one of the main the aging process, let’s be smart about
a home that you can age comfortably in • The No. 1 feature is one-level living, or
sources of slipping accidents.)
the fact that aging is inevitable and hav-
over a sustainable period of time. Re- at least, all of the main living on one
• Use lever-type of door knobs instead of ing a home designed to keep you com-

member, ideally you want to home to re- loor.
the ball-type for poor hand strength. fortable and safe in it will extend your
duce maintenance costs, both inside and • No-step entries from both the front
Consider loop style cabinet pulls in lifestyle for many more years and is a
out, and ofer both comfort and conve- door and the garage.
bathrooms and kitchens, and lever great way to face our future.
nience to your lifestyle. Aging often in- • Wheelchair accessible doorways of 32
style faucets.
Joyce Mitchell is the Broker/owner for
volves issues with arthritic hands, back
to 36 inches in width. With that, also
• Non-slip surfaces not only for bath-
Mitchell and Associates Real Estate.

FROZEN PIPES?
24 Hou
rs!

WE WORK WITH ALL INSURANCE

COMPANIES AND ADJUSTORS and
ARE PREFERRED 10:1 OVER MOST
OR OUR COMPETITORS.
a
D
r
e
t
a
m
a
g
e
W
n
i
s
t
s
i
l
a

o
f
E
v
e
r
y
WE have always known YOU have a choice,
i
c
e
p
S

K
i
n
Hello NW Montana Customers~ that’s why we work so hard 24/7/365. d
!
Remember: when it comes to YOUR house,
IT’S YOUR HOME; ALWAYS A LIVE PERSON
ANSWERING OUR LINES!!! PUT US TO WORK
IT’S YOUR CHOICE!!
AND YOU WILL SEE WHY...
M

752-WATER (9283)
Specialists in Water “YOUR Job’s NOT Done
Damage of Every Kind!
M ‘til it’s COMPLETE! ”