The Eskaton National Demonstration Home features state-of-the-art universal design and cutting-edge livable community features.

The Eskaton National Demonstration Home on the Eskaton Village Roseville campus in Roseville, Calif., just may be the cutting edge in smart, healthy, independent living for older Americans.

Combining innovative universal design, breakthrough health, wellness and social technologies and green living features with beauty, simplicity and comfort, the home has won numerous awards — including the NAHB and AARP 2009 Livable Communities Award  in the builder category for homes up to 2,500 square feet and a gold award in the 2009 Best of 50+ Housing Awards.

The judges of the Livable Communities Awards were so impressed with the home, they called it the state-of-the-art in universal design.

Entries for the 2010 Livable Communities Awards are now being accepted. The awards honor forward-looking housing industry professionals who have designed, built or remodeled creative and unique homes and communities that improve the daily comfort, ease-of-use and safety of residents. Guidelines and applications are available online; and the application deadline is July 16.

The Eskaton demonstration home incorporates universal design, home automation, innovative lighting and green building technology. It features tele-monitoring capabilities that enable family, friends and caregivers to stay socially connected and wellness systems that provide reminders of appointments, events and when to take medications. The home also provides cognitive fitness programs — games and exercises offer the opportunity to keep the mind sharp.

To help promote safety, health and independence, the home features a home automation system, security and surveillance system, an air filtration system and prewiring for future technology integrations.

Among the home’s environmentally-friendly, green-living features are a photovoltaic solar power system, tankless water heater, high-efficiency LED lighting, superior quality heating/air conditioning system and low-VOC spray-in insulation. All contribute to the home’s energy efficiency and help reduce its carbon footprint and utility bills.

The universal design features include 36-inch-wide doors, wide hallways, level flooring transitions and variable height countertops. Its table-height breakfast bar is accessible for any age or ability and lower cabinets and a pantry with pull-out drawers offer easier access. Front-mounted controls on the range and drawer-style dishwasher allow ease-of-use from a seated or standing position. The HVAC return filter is in a lower, more accessible location — eliminating the need to climb a ladder for servicing.

With an eye toward easier living for its residents as they grow older, the home includes solid blocking in the walls around the toilet, tub and shower areas to allow for custom placement of support bars. Likewise, hallways also include blocking for future handrail installation and a conduit was installed in the walls to accommodate future wiring needs.

Simple and intuitive features include convenient occupancy and vacancy sensor lighting throughout the home as well as touch-screen technologies — including brain fitness and health monitoring systems for added independence.

Other features include an easy-to-read thermostat mounted at a lower height and motion sensors that trigger LED pathway lighting under the bathroom toe-kick, making it easier and safer to navigate at night.

Eskaton, based in Carmichael, Calif., is a nonprofit company that has served older adults for more than 42 years.

Find Out What 45+ Housing Buyers Want

“Right House, Right Place, Right Time: Community and Lifestyle Preferences of the 45+ Housing Market,” available through BuilderBooks.com, will help determine the right design, home features and amenities to attract boomer home buyers in your market.

Author Margaret A. Wylde guides readers through the latest survey results on this important consumer group and explains what their responses mean for today’s and tomorrow’s home building industry.

To view or purchase this publication online, click here, or call 800-223-2665.