PIERCE COUNTY — People buy homes to suit their practical needs – kids, hobbies, interests, neighborhoods and more. But those needs invariably change over time. In order to stay in a home and enjoy the benefits, careful thought has to be put into making the home livable for the long term.

Pierce County Aging & Disability Resources, in partnership with Rebuilding Together South Sound, will offer a special workshop to help homeowners start thinking about aging in place.  “Universal Design: Aging in Place…Thoughtfully” will show how homes can be comfortable and barrier-free regardless of age and ability.

The workshop will be repeated four times at four different locations:

• April 8 – 12:10 to 12:50 p.m., Pierce County Annex, Main Meeting Room, 2401 S 35th Street in Tacoma

• April 8 – 7 to 8 p.m., University Place Branch Library, 3609 Market Place W., Ste 100. in University Place

• April 10 – 12:10 to 12:50 p.m., County-City Building, Rainier Conference Room, 930 Tacoma Ave S, 7th Floor in Tacoma

• April 10 – 7 to 8 p.m., Sumner Branch Library, 1116 Fryar Avenue in Sumner

“The smartest thing anyone can do is prepare,” said Aaron Van Valkenburg, manager of Pierce County Aging and Disability Resources. “Good preparation takes time. The worst thing anyone can do is rush because of a catastrophe.”

“Universal Design: Aging in Place…Thoughtfully” will show many practical ideas and alternatives for a home’s exterior and interior that can be used to make a home livable for many, many years, regardless of a person’s physical condition. Additional community resources will also be provided.  The workshop is free and open to the public. For more information call the Pierce County Aging and Disability Resource Center at (253) 798-4600.