Hey…how does a girl get a drink around here?
Imagine this –you’re thirsty but can’t get a glass of water.
The faucet works, the glasses are in the cabinet. It’s all within reach…yet you can’t help yourself to a glass of water.
Chances are you’ve never experienced this. Getting a glass and filling it with water takes no effort…unless you have arthritis.
For some, just having to curl their fingers around a knob is painful, and if bad enough…impossible.
That’s why the right hardware, like D or C-shaped cabinet handles, makes the difference between a parched throat and a quenched thirst.
A Small Fix for Big Problems
According to eldercareteam.com, there are over 100 forms of arthritis. And it’s not just Grandma’s condition these days. More than 50% of all adults have some form of arthritis! I have friend who developed rheumatoid arthritis at the tender age of 32! Even less severe arthritis can make common daily activities frustrating and painful.
Kitchens and bathrooms are the busiest rooms in the house. While stylish cabinetry makes a home look good, it must be functional. The good news is you can have both. Universal Design combines beautiful cabinets with stylish hardware that’s easy to use…regardless of age or condition.
When elder people can’t get something like a glass of water on their own… they wait until someone else can help them, or get it for them.
But what if they live alone? Or are home alone for hours while the family’s away? Dehydration is dangerous, especially in the summer months.
And it’s more than just getting a glass of water. It’s about independence.
Even if we stay active, our physical abilities lessen as we age. Maintaining independence has a psychological as well as a physical impact on our well being.
D and C-shaped handles make it easy for a person to slip their fingers through — and pull a door open — without having to grasp anything. The same concept works for faucets.
This is just one of many things Universal Design takes into account when planning how to get the best use out of your home.
Lever handles for doors, cabinets, and faucets are more common, but buyers beware! Not all handles are created equal.
Manufacturers offer many styles of hardware, but big box stores tend to carry models based on price. Here’s where the adage “penny wise and dollar foolish” applies. Saving money on smaller handles may make a change, but not solve the problem.
Before you spend your hard-earned money, talk to a designer who’s conscientious of the scale and proportion of hardware. You benefit two ways: your home improvement is safer…and… it’s beautiful!
The key is to get good hardware that will hold up for years.
Call me with any questions you have about the hardware you have in place, and the best way to improve it.
Live easy,
~Jeanette
FREE e-Book….
Looking for more tips on living easy within your home?? Download our FREE e-Book “10 Easy Ways to Maximize Your Home Independence…for years to come”