Live Where and How You Wish
See how Bill Thomas and USI collaborated to create the only Minka on a college campus!
Aging well is personal. Each of us expects to live where we want and how we want as we go through life. Our homes are not always setup for aging well. In addition, our communities may be stifled by issues with access to healthcare, crime and violence, food insecurity, inclusion, age discrimination and more. The Center for Healthy Aging and Wellness wants to transform southwest Indiana by creating a Learning Lab for Living Well housed in the Minka house at USI.
The Minka Learning Lab for Living Well is a 640-square-foot smart home showcase for living-in-place with integrated technology.
Students, faculty, community members and healthcare professionals can participate in simulations, workshops, research, smart home tours and interdisciplinary class projects. Our purpose is for southwest Indiana to explore and to experiment with adaptable living and learning ideas and innovations in aging and wellness.
Learn from the Minka
The Minka Learning Lab for Living Well was designed to demonstrate how homes can support health, independence, and quality of life across the lifespan. Visitors can explore features and technologies that promote aging in place and universal design.
Examples of features showcased in the Minka include:
The Minka is proud to host a multitude of interdisciplinary events, simulations, and projects. To learn more about the various initiatives the Minka has participated in, please click here.
Proceed through the roundabout/fountain at the entrance of our campus on the main boulevard and take the second left to park in either Lot B or C. Then walk across the main boulevard to the sidewalk between the Fuquay Welcome Center (FWC) and Orr Center (OC). Follow this sidewalk past the Forum Wing (FA). The Minka Learning Lab for Living Well is located between the Forum and Education Center (ED).
If you have difficulty walking: Instead of going down the main boulevard, turn right at the roundabout, following Clarke Lane to Bent Twig Lane. Take the first left and park in Lot H. There are accessible parking spaces near the Education Center (ED). It is a short walk to the Minka using the sidewalk next to the two metal boxes marked “Packets” and “Keys.”
Note: The sidewalk is wide enough that under certain circumstances, cars can drive on it directly to the Minka. We don’t recommend that all visitors drive directly to the house – only those who are physically unable to walk the short distance. Proceed with caution as there will be several pedestrians on this path.
The Minka Learning Lab for Living Well demonstrates how thoughtful design, accessibility features, and supportive technologies can help individuals remain safe, independent, and engaged in their homes and communities. The resources below provide practical guidance for older adults, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and community members interested in aging in place.
Disclaimer
The University of Southern Indiana does not endorse any specific contractor, business, or service provider. Resources are provided for informational and educational purposes to assist individuals and families interested in aging-in-place planning.
The AARP HomeFit Guide is a free, illustrated resource designed to help individuals and families make their homes safer and more comfortable for aging in place. The guide includes room-by-room recommendations, safety checklists, and practical home modification ideas.
Resources
The National Council on Aging provides information about selecting contractors, planning home modifications, and identifying improvements that support long-term independence.
Resource
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) offers the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) credential for contractors, remodelers, and designers who have received specialized training in accessible and age-friendly home design.
Examples of aging-in-place modifications include:
Directories
Information on grants, loans, and home repair assistance programs may be available through federal, state, and local organizations.
Resource
The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority offers programs that support housing improvements, home repairs, and healthy homes initiatives throughout Indiana.
Resource
Programs include:
Phone: (812) 464-7817
Programs include:
Phone: (812) 213-4202
Programs include:
Phone: (812) 425-4241
Programs include:
Memorial Community Development Corporation Website
Phone: (812) 423-2500
Programs include:
Phone: (812) 436-7808
Indiana 211 connects individuals and families with community services, including:
Phone: 211
AARP provides resources, planning tools, educational materials, and support for family caregivers.
Resource
Offers caregiver education, care planning tools, and support resources.
Resource
Learn more about aging in place by looking at this 360 virtual tour of the Minka and its technology!
