September’s free webinars focus on living in place, with a generous sponsorship from Geberit. By Dianne M. Pogoda
Part of the battle with convincing clients to consider the principles of living in place when starting a remodeling project is that no one wants to be thought of as “old” or “incapable.” Designers must tread a delicate line in explaining that “living in place” is really just “good design” that can accommodate anyone’s needs, now or in the future.
September’s webinar series will share tips and strategies for speaking to clients and showing them the benefits of products and designs to enhance their safety at home, and allow them to “age in place” comfortably, gracefully and happily.
The September series is sponsored by Geberit, a global leader in sanitary technology, plumbing products, systems and solutions. Geberit was founded in 1874 in Repperswil, Switzerland. It currently has offices around the world, numerous product lines and divisions, and sales of about $3 billion a year.
Every month, NKBA offers free 60-minute webinars, each of which features a presentation by an expert in the specific subject matter, delivered via a virtual platform. The sessions offer the attending participants 0.1 CEU per event — it’s an easy way to collect the CEUs needed to earn or maintain certification. Participants must engage in 80 percent of the sessions to receive CEU credit; registration closes two hours prior to start times.
Starting the September series, Dani Polidor, CAPS, ASID, and owner of Suite Artistry in Rochester, N.Y., will present “Explore Technology and Design Secrets That Will Wow Clients to Allow Them to Thrive-in-Place” on Sept. 13 at 12 noon (Eastern Time). The session will demonstrate how some people with mobility issues, vision and hearing impairments or cognitive and developmental challenges experience their environments. Polidor will provide strategies about positively engaging clients in all stages and abilities of life. She’ll share some simple things that will enhance their lives and can be introduced to everyone. In addition, this session will challenge designers to change their way of thinking about some products and construction methods and include best practices.
Attendees will gain a greater understanding of how to incorporate design solutions in an environment for people of various capabilities; develop discussion points for working with clients that include technology and design to enhance their in-home experience, and examine some products and construction methods. To register, click here.
Next, on Sept. 18 at 12 noon (Eastern Time), Steve Hoffacker, CAPS, CEAC, SHSS, instructor and owner of his namesake living in place specialty firm in West Palm Beach, Fla., will show how to “Take Control of the Bath.” Bathrooms, like kitchens, major major selling points for a home. But the bathroom is also where the most injuries happen in the home. Hoffacker will show attendees how to plan the bath for optimum function for residents as well as guests, with safety top-of-mind. This includes the use of shiny surfaces that reflect light or create glare, causing errors in judgment based on visual perception, and easy access to the main fixtures.
Attendees will discover ways to provide full accessibility in a bathroom design, no matter the size, and develop design solutions that incorporate the three dedicated elements of a bath and include full provisions for the limited number of functions to perform.
To register for this course, click here.
Finally, on Sept. 26, 3 p.m., Maria Stapperfenne, CMKBD, CLIPP, and division manager at Tewksbury Kitchen & Bath in Tewksbury, N.J., will present “Designing for Independence & Dignity.” Any design of a residential living space should consider the safety of all the occupants, regardless of age or condition. This session will offer several approaches for including products and materials designed for client safety without making clients feel that they are being singled out because of their age and/or condition. Participants will learn about — and how to discuss —products, specification and techniques for including and installing safer products for their clients and their homes.
To register for this webinar, click here.
