Wogen Residence

Updated to Last a Lifetime

Lynn and Lois were in the early stages of their retirement when Lynn was diagnosed with a neuromuscular, degenerative disease. Though Lynn was still able to walk on "good days", he began noticing that his strength and endurance were becoming more compromised and he was finding he was needing to use a wheelchair more and more.

Even though living in a 1950's, one level house provided some basic features of home access, the Wogen’s quickly realized that getting the wheelchair in and out of the home was not an easy task...nor could they get the wheelchair into their bedroom or bathroom.

Lois and Lynn knew that they needed to prepare their home to accommodate Lynn's decreasing mobility and increased equipment needs. It was important to ensure Lynn could maintain his independence for as long as possible, yet when needed, support Lois’s desire to safely assist Lynn without difficulty. They turned to Accessibility Design for help.

Creating a design to address both short term and long term access needs...

Accessibility Design proposed modifications to the home’s space plan that enhanced the home’s beauty and added access solutions without adding additional square feet. Knowing that creative space planning is the foundation of all great home access projects, Accessibility Design used their expertise and skills to guide Lois and Lynn toward a solution that allowed flexibility for the future without losing any rooms within the home.  In fact, the new design provided them with additional storage in the bathroom, bedroom and more ergonomic use of their office space.

With his disease, Lynn's independence and stamina are unpredictible... therefore it was important to ensure the modifications implemented could adapt easily to Lynn's changing needs.  The final design allowed flexibility for a variety of equipment needs and individual changes.  For instance, the size and style of the shower as well as the and placement of grab bars can accommodate Lynn on both a "good day" (walking) or a “not-so good day” (use of a rolling shower chair).  Placement of the toilet provides flexibility for a variety of approaches...again to address Lynn's unpredictable needs.

Removing two hallway walls (between the adjacent kitchen and third bedroom/den-office) and widening a portion of the hall provided better visibility from one area to another, as well as needed turning space for wheelchair use.

Installing hard floors surfaces in the hallway, office and bedroom made it easier for Lynn to propel and navigate the wheelchair as well as preventing tripping issues when walking.

By working together, Lynn and Lois...along with Accessibility Design... were able to create a dynamic and user friendly design that included access features which dramatically and positively changed their outlook helping accept Lynn's medical issues.  The modifications were also a comfort to Lynn knowing that their home was set up for Lois to age-in-place as well.

And the end result was an updated look that will benefit re-sale value in the future.

• Widening the hallway leading to the bathroom and master bedroom to provide needed space to turn into rooms using the wheelchair
• Widening the doors to the bathroom and master bedroom
• Removing the bathtub and replacing with a roll-in shower
• Enlarging the bathroom to provide needed turning space for the wheelchair
• Recessing the vanity to create options for toilet transfers
• Creating an accessible vanity with point of use storage
• Removing the wall between the kitchen and main hallway to provide additional maneuvering space in the kitchen and den-office as well as better visibility from one area to another
• Creating an accessible and functional office area central within the home
• Installing hard floor surfaces for ease in maneuvering with the wheelchair
• Widening the sidewalk between the garage and entrance to the home
• Installing a temporary ramp over the existing steps into the home

Although we began the process with concerns that we might lose the "homey" feeling of our house after remodeling, the design and construction couldn't have resulted in anything better. The access team and contractor provided careful planning and attention to detail allowing for flexibility in accommodating the use of a power wheelchair as well as various lifts...and our house still feels like a home!

~Lois Wogen