What to Know: 6-10

6. Unobstructed door openings should be at least 32 inches wide. Pocket doors or doors with swing-clear hinges allow full use of the doorway. A 36-inch-wide door is even better. Hallways also should be at least 36 inches wide. "Wider is always better," Wade says.

7. Make it easy on the eyes. Visual acuity often declines with age, so plan accordingly. Include task lighting in the kitchen, bathroom, and reading or hobby areas. Provide plenty of light for staircases. Use contrasting colors for stair treads, countertops, and other surfaces.

8. Open up the floor plan. Provide easy circulation among rooms, and minimize or eliminate stairs between rooms. Built-in storage, such as bookshelves and entertainment centers, reduces clutter and frees up floor space. "A lot of these features just make the home feel more spacious and airy," Wade says. "Universal design does not have to have a medicinal or institutional feel."

9. Look for contractors and designers who have earned the Certified Aging in Place Specialist, or CAPS, designation from the National Center for Seniors Housing Project.

10. To prevent slips and make it easier to use a wheelchair or walker, use smooth-surface, slip-resistant flooring or low-pile carpeting. Minimize use of throw rugs.