Congratulations to Summit instructor, Marnie Renda, MEd, OTR/L, CAPS, ECHM, on winning the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Remodelers Homes for Life award in the Single Space remodel category. NAHB Remodelers Chairman George “Geep” Moore Jr. said, “These creative remodels by Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists show off universal design and aging-in-place remodeling concepts that enhance both the function and look of the home. The Homes for Life award winners completed a transformation that improved ease of living and matched each resident’s abilities and sense of style.”
Working within the confines of a 48” bathroom, Renda designed the Single Space award-winning room to accommodate the physical needs of a couple both affected by stroke. To transform the narrow room into a stylish but accessible bathroom, space-saving fixtures and a barrier-free shower were installed along with safety features like attractive shower seating and preset water temperatures for the shower. The couple built the home 30 years before, and with the help of Renda’s design and caregivers, they will be able to continue living there.
This is the second time that Renda and her team have won the award. In 2011, they won in the major space category for remodeling a master bedroom and bath for a woman with muscular dystrophy. The sixth-annual award recognizes excellence in remodeling work for aging in place and universal design.
Renda, an occupational therapist and independent living specialist in Cincinnati, helps older adults and people with disabilities figure out how they can live at home. Her practice includes providing accessible remodeling, selecting medical products, and utilizing funding sources and community service providers.
For more information, visit the NAHB Aging in Place website.