Universal Design For Aging In Place Print

Dust Bowl, mid west flooding, Renaissance Festival and a preview of Romey's horse program looking at the history of the horse.  And some of the books from the Tucson Festival Of Books.

A look up in the sky with Dr. Sky.  Supermoon and Spring Equinox next to each other doesn't happen often.

A new moon means a great view of the stars and planets.  Dr. Sky talks about what you can see at night and morning sky just before sunrise.

Dr. Sky's Astronomy Dinner Cruise on Canyon Lake aboard The Dolly Steamboat is a great star gazing event for the family.  Click on the link for information.

Hiker Jim Harrison talks about his experiences hiking The Arizona Trail AND The Continental Divide Trail

The Arizona Trail goes from south to north Arizona.  The Continental Divide Trail goes from New Mexico to Montana.

Jim talks about his journey on the trails and the preparation he does for trail hiking.

We talk to Janet, out March Staycation Winner to Wickenburg, AZ about her trip.

Got her car for the weekend from Sanderson Ford and stayed at the Flying E Ranch.  She gushes about her experience at the ranch and the town.

Farmer Greg of The Urban Farm talks about Regenerative Gardening.  Creating a 'food forest' and edible landscape.

Greg gives you a sense of where your food comes from and how to grow it.

The best way to start is to pick two things you'd like to grow and build on it over time.

The micro-climates to consider for planting your garden.  What an east, west, north and south sun exposure is best or worst for placing your garden and trees.

Discussion of soil temperature and tips on how to cool it down, especially in the summer.

Suggestions of cover crops to shade the ground like sweet potatoes and cow peas.

Planting seeds in a landscape to see what sprouts up.

How a cold winter meant more chill hours for trees to set fruit and kill bugs.

Reading Farmer Greg's t-shirt!

Plants that are simple to grow and expensive to buy in the store.

Explains 'Stacking Functions'.  One asset with mulitple functions.  (Fruit tree provides food, shade, cools the ground)

Regenerative Gardening is putting a system of trees and plants in place that grow year after year.

3 things that cause the most health problems and how growing a garden can help with these issues.

5 components for healthy soil.  Noting that compost or planting mix is for gardening.  Mulch is for trees.

Chip Drop!  Helping arborists get rid of wood chips, helping gardeners get cheap mulch!

Things to look for when buying soil.  Careful on the amount of sand in the dirt.

Telling some of the difference between compost and mulch.

Farmer Greg's Planting Mix

Farmer Greg's Planting Calendar

You can tour The Urban Farm.  Check the schedule.

Our 'How To' segment with ABC Glass Company.

Dennis discusses their process of installing glass in windows and doors.

Why vinyl windows are replacing aluminum for heat conduction.  And how Low-E glass works to your advantage.

They perform dual pane window repair.  If moisture builds up between the glass, it needs repair.

Tempered (safety glass) versus non tempered glass and why its important.

Screen repair.

Talking about how cotton farming could be expanding in Arizona to help the reduction of plastic microfibers in clothing.  

Our 'How To' segment on air condition maintenance with Chuck Knight of Knight Air Conditioning.

This is the time to have your A/C checked as we move into the hotter temperatures.  Chuck talks about what they look for when examining units.

Talk about upcomming topics on solar including TCI/Tucson's solar assisted air conditioner.

APS is investing in battery storage to add to their renewable energy plan.

Talking with Temperature Control, Inc. of Tucson on air conditioning maintenance before the hot temperatures return.  

What a homeowner can do to maintain their A/C and when to call a certified professional.

Todd Whittaker and Ron LeBree of TWD Design-Rebuild-Remodel discuss Universal Design.  Its for anyone young and old.

Discussion of the development of Universal Design.  Allowing you to stay in your home over a longer period of time as you age.

Single story homes play a big part in universal design.  From young couple starting families to aging parents.  Important to have a bedroom/bath in a single story home.  Why stairs aren't a good idea.

7 Principals of Universal Design.  Designs anyone young and old can use in a home.  Flexable and intuitive use.  Discussion of how these apply.

Universal Design Principals continued.  Perceptable Information.  Adjusting things like color, lighting and flooring that are easy to use and see.

Tolerance for error.  Having devices once set and its forgotten about will turn off.

Low physical design:  Making things easier to reach or operate.  No stairs.

Size and space for approach and use:  At least one entrance into the home with easy access.  From a stroller to wheelchairs.

Concept of interchanging elements in the home.  Preparing for the future.  Remodeling with backing to install grab bars in the shower in the future.

Bathrooms are the one place in a home where most injuries occur.  Remodel concepts like grab bars and spa-like showers are designs for any age.  

Todd and Ron discuss some of the projects they've done with universal design.

Explain the difference between universal design and ADA (American Disabilities Act)

Materials they use for universal design including tile, grout, non-slick material, removeable sink base and cabinet access.

Planning for universal design now can save you a lot of money.  

Trends of family coming back to the house and remodeling ideas to think about versus the cost of assisted living facilities. 

Visit TWD Design Remodel Rebuild!