For these reasons it is necessary to design areas without barriers to render spaces as accessible as possible to those needing access to these spaces. Aside from dealing with access into the space from the outside by utilizing, stairlifts, wheelchair lifts, elevators and ramps, modifications are typically completed to bathrooms, kitchens, hallways, doorways and adjacent rooms. The overall goal is to design a space with as few barriers as possible for the people needing to use these given areas.

An alternative is to try and locate a new space that is better suited to accommodate the needs of the person living with the long term illness and disability. In many instances the cost of purchasing a new home coupled with higher property taxes are in themselves prohibitive. As our population ages and the "baby boomers" reach that certain age there is a strong desire to "age in place". There is a comfort level associated with an existing home and the preference more often is to try and accommodate the existing space rather than to move to a new home. Therefore the overall goal of designing and building spaces without barriers continues to grow in popularity. With advances in medical treatment often resulting in our population living longer this need will only continue to increase.