Participatory home evaluation
to support aging in place

Project information

Year: 2021-2022

Role: Study procedure development team, focus group facilitator

Collaborator: Juliana Tissot, Lizandra Vergara, Wendy Rogers

Challenge

Maintaining independence is important for older adults, regardless of their health, capacity, and residential settings. However, older adults’ higher likelihood of experiencing disability may limit their autonomy and independence, especially in their home environment.

How should we design home environments that can support older adults in conducting their everyday activities to achieve successful aging in place?

Process

Spatial walkthrough form

Selected design recommendations

Kitchen:​

  • Appliances at waist level​

  • Layout it “C” or “U” shape​

  • Lights under cabinets​

  • Translucent cabinet doors in the foot space​

Bathroom:​

  • High friction flooring​

  • Grab bars on both sides of toilet sides​

  • Adequate wheelchair maneuvering space​

  • Color contrast​

Acknowledgement

This project is part of Dr. Juliana Tissot’s dissertation study, advised by Dr. Lizandra Vergada and Dr. Wendy Rogers. The research is funded by ​McKechnie Family LIFE Home​, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign​, and the MEC Brazilian Federal Foundation​.

Related Publications

  • Tissot, J., Ramadhani, W. A., Vergara, L. G., & Rogers, W. (2022, November 3). Participatory research approach for evaluating home environment for older adults with disabilities. 2022 Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting, Indianapolis, IN.