Because we all can be smart about designing and using materials in the home to help us live easier, safer and longer lives, the Council offers an adaptive devices display area called Smart Spaces. This area serves as an avenue to share with the public various materials, including adaptive equipment, to assist older adults and caregivers with their ability to remain in their own homes and live independently as long as possible.

 

The Smart Spaces area, located across from our reception desk, is designed as an easy way to showcase a living area designed with materials to make living on your own easier and possible.

 

The area is open during our regular office hours, typically 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Additional hours may be available and arranged by special request, should a caregiver or family member not be able to utilize the space during regular office hours.

 

While not everything discussed here is on display, the Smart Spaces Display Area shows adaptive equipment, devices and catalogs to simulate living spaces for the following areas:

 

The Family Room - The goal in this room is to provide increased independence in daily living tasks.  This includes AV equipment, telephones, lighting, windows and blinds/curtains.

 

Telephones - Provide independent access for communication with others outside of the home, and the person must be able to make call in an emergency.  Preprogrammed numbers and adaptive, stand-alone telephones can be controlled directly by finger or switch. A variety of telephones address motor, vision, hearing and cognitive issues.

 

Lights - Solutions for lighting include adjusting the height of wall switches for better access to ceiling lighting and installing rocker switches for ease of use.  On display are lighting samples for high contrast, with motion detectors, floor and table lamps.

 

The Kitchen - The goal is to increase independence in tasks in the kitchen, including food preparation, hand-washing and eating.  This provides independence in obtaining food and drink as well as in eating which may reduce caregiver hours.

 

Tables provide access to reach the food and for socialization/participation during mealtime. If seated at a table of optimal height, people may be better able to eat and consequently improve their diet and nutrition.  Tables need to be at the correct height for the person to complete functional tasks. This can be achieved by modifying the legs to the desired height. Be sure to check the sides of the table which can be quite a bit lower than the surface.  Pedestal tables offer more clearance for footrest hangers than to those with legs at each corner.  Cutouts in the table or a wheelchair tray can improve access as well.  We have an adjustable table on display with catalogs and manufacturer/provider sample displays.

 

People need to have the ability to open and close cabinets and drawers and get items in and out.  Sliding mechanisms on drawers can ease opening and closing as well as sliding shelves, which make it easier to reach items in the back of the cabinet.  Additions to the interior cabinets allow a basket to pull out for easier access to items within.  Various styles of handles can be used on drawer fronts and cabinet doors, as well.  

 

Refrigerator - As with cabinets, one needs to open and close the door and take items in and out with ease.  Having access to a water dispenser may lead to increased hydration and nutrition.  Various style doors may make opening and closing easier, i.e. side by side refrigerators have narrower doors, and a freezer drawer in the bottom eases access to frozen foods.  Sliding shelves and interior door storage inside the refrigerator can also ease access to items within.  While we do not have a refrigerator or freezer, check your local appliance dealer for displays. 

 

General Food Preparation – A variety of adaptations are available to assist with food preparation.  Different types of jar openers, cutting boards with suction cup feet, skewers to hold items being cut, and rocker knives are a sample of what is available. 

 

Eating and Drinking -Simple solutions exist to ease eating and drinking such as putting a plate lip on plates and cushioning on eating utensils. We have on display and in catalogs the many variations of products.

 

Bath/Shower – Hygiene is a difficult task for many people, and equipment can only partially bridge that gap.  Solutions can be either low tech or high tech and include the toilet, bath/shower, lights, heat, fan and door.  Properly installed toilets and tubs to correct height can ease use. Raised toilet seats, grab bars, tub seats or transfer chairs, and trunk and foot supports can address height, safety and support problems.  Extended handles and the use of a bidet can facilitate hygiene.  Extended handles also can help one flush more easily, as can automatic infrared sensors.  Temperature regulation is important to prevent a person from scalding her/himself.  Sink modifications can include using lever-style handles. Choosing an adequate length of lever handle for easy reach and using infrared technology to turn the water on and off eliminates the need for handles.  Access to the sink should take into consideration clearance underneath for the person’s wheelchair, and insulation of any exposed pipes to protect one from hot pipes.  We have on display the many items available, including grab bars and conversion from tub to shower resources for personal hygiene.

 

Dressing Aids – Many varieties of simple solutions exist for assistance with dressing, such as: Velcro closure shoes, Sock Aids, shoe horns, elastic shoe strings and zipper pulls.  We have a variety of these on display so you can try them; others are available through catalogs from manufacturers and vendors.

 

Miscellaneous – Again, many varieties of simple smart living solutions exist, such as larger-size magnifying glasses, portable seats and items for hobbies, gardening, etc.  These also include “reachers” in different lengths and types with Velcro attachments so you have it when you need it and mobile chairs that adapt to many environments.  We have some of these items on display and through catalogs.  Offset door hinges are also available for assisting in making narrow doorways about 2” wider. These are designed to swing the door clear of the opening.  Easily installed, they require no demolition or construction, replacing standard 1-1/2” x 3” hinges.

 

A stair lift, provided by Delaware Creative Housing, provides an example of a resource for adapting a two-story home to make the upstairs and often the bedroom easily assessable.  Delaware Creative Housing provides many of the design details addressed here and serves as a resource for people to have adaptability assessments performed for their own homes and the homes of their loved ones. 

 

The Smart Spaces area has many magazines and catalogs that illustrate the various items available for people to adapt their homes to make it easier to stay independent. Smart Spaces also has open bookshelves and cabinets to display a wide variety of items that we purchase, displays from manufacturers and vendors, and catalogs that people can use to order products.  Visitors can pick up items to experience the actual use of the item and experience first hand if a product will be useful for them or for the people they are caring for.  Displays change regularly to keep interest and focus on specific adaptive equipment available for a certain living space. 

 

Adjacent to Smart Spaces is the Resource Center where literature and magazine racks display written materials from a variety of organizations and vendors. Computers are available to be able to research additional information and order products online if desired.