June 2025

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, ”A house is made with walls and beams; a home is built with love and dreams. “ A true home is more than beams and walls.

Let’s start in the beginning……entering into a home. There are certain features that make a space welcoming and safe. Does it reflect our culture and family? How we enter a space from the exterior is very important.

Jerome Kerner, an architect, stated in his book, Be It Ever So Humble, “the doorway and its components act as a symbol or metaphor for the way we make our way through our lives. Doorways present opportunities… they act as barriers… and they are protectors. Doors create privacy, which is used for secrecy. Doorways welcome visitors or they keep them out; they are invitations or exclamations. “ Kerner writes how the “front door can be a face, giving a first impression of how accessible we are, signaling to others what they might have to look forward to in a relationship. The doorknob is the handshake, signaling trust and sincerity, the threshold or saddle requires us to intentionally step over it coming in and going out. Transitioning us and others from outside to inside!”

I love how Kerner suggests “the back door is thought of as a secondary portal used by immediate family, friends and children. Or is it an escape or a secret passage?” Both doors serve an important function. The door can be “the threshold of family, ancestors, culture and home.”

That is how important the door is to a home.

A Colorful Door. Easy to see and reflects homeowner’s style.

This is a peek at the first of seven topics for UD components and entering the home! Each BLOG topic will have a checklist for your use to streamline the UD process. You may find UD features repeat depending on the spaces. Each topic ends with examples of the good UD option, a better UD option and the best UD option.

So, hang in there with me on this first section “Entrances”. It is the foundation for all other topics.

UD checklist for your Optimum Entrance

Walking path guides one to the front door.
Path is 36” wide, curving, level and smooth surface.
Zero entry (no steps).

If ramp present, it follows correct rise and run guidelines (more in RAMPS).
Shelter in Place or covered porch with large 6’ turning radius.
Outdoor staging area which is an object sturdy enough to hold items or a person, in the shelter/covered porch.
Lighting outside- of pathways, steps and front door.

Slugging your way inside is never safe, comfortable nor a pleasant experience. Entrances which allow for multiple functions will work best.

Consider all that happens at the entrance:

Seeking the entrance/ front door

Transitioning via a pathway to the front door

Finding the “RING” to announce your arrival

Knocking on the front door

Accessing the keypad

Being sheltered as you wait to enter the home

Opening the door

Turning on inside lights

Carrying groceries, a baby in a carrier, propelling a wheelchair over the threshold

Slipping off shoes, hanging up coats, putting umbrellas away

Turning off alarms!

What is your routine for entering whether it be an apartment, home, or independent living facility? Think of not only the physical, but visual and auditory components to entering this entrance space.

YOU ARE NOW ENTERING THE SPACE: list your steps

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Once you identify what you do, let’s think about how you can accomplish that using the elements of UD and accessibility to make it safer and efficient while enhancing independence for everyone. UD is good for everyone no matter what their age, newborn to 90 and their mobility level!

Note: Watch family and friends as they approach and enter the home. Begin to identify their needs, their routines. You may have each person who lives in the home write out their daily process for entering the home and any problem area.

The most important part of the process in using UD is making a home safe and comfortable BUT also creating as much independence as possible for all in the space.

How do we create independence in a space?

I first work towards meeting the needs of the person in the household who has the greatest mobility difficulties. By addressing their needs first, making changes or modifications, you typically find these solutions will work for everyone else in the household. This is why UD is so useful.

Practically, I do this by observing the person going about their daily activities and we discuss the problem areas and possible solutions.

How can a family understand this concept? I have them spend 1 day in a wheelchair (limiting their motor skills). The use of the wheelchair/walker will help them identify problems which arise now while addressing their future needs as they move through their home. This would cover most motor needs as we age into our 90’s.

Spending a day restricted motor wise allows them to:

Understand the issues regarding mobility NOW as one ages.
Create solutions NOW rather than in a crisis situation.
Create comfort and safety NOW
Have the environmental supports for independence NOW
Have motor independence NOW & in the FUTURE

If you are struggling to get this done, enlist the help of professionals like a Physical Therapist (PT) or Occupational Therapist (OT) particularly those with rehab experience. Additional information is on the RESOURCE page at Flourishingathome.org

It is important to critically look at the outside spaces as well for UD opportunities. Again, use a professional or better yet a team of an architect, PT, OT, Designer and CAPS*. Designers have design knowledge but are unfamiliar with disease processes and how people adapt their movements. Therapists have knowledge of how the human body works and the use of equipment. When we can’t leave or enter our home safely, comfortably and independently we have missed the mark. We can do better!

A side note: recently I was directed to “Pinterest” on a google search for ramps and accessibility. Oh, my, please, please don’t be confused with the ideas on this site which are interesting to look at but safety was totally ignored.

We have guidelines for a reason and safety is the number one concern. The Pinterest designs could be modified to include the safety and comfort features you will find on Flourishingathome.org. Again, a professional would be best in creating solutions with you and your family. Flourishing at Home is to provide education and information so you make informed decisions.

*CAPS is a Certified Aging in Place Specialist

Ready for more?

Pathways

It Begins with an Entrance ………..

Shelter in Place:Entrance