Why Aging in Place

A significant concern as people grow older is that they may have to leave their home. This would mean leaving behind a comfortable setting familiar community and many memories. In addition a certain amount of control is lost when one leaves home. This “control” provides the underpinning to our feelings of dignity, quality of life and independence. One’s home is a strong element in that sense of security.

Our homes are important to us. They hold memories, shared experiences, good times with family and friends. They are our place of comfort – a place where we feel safe. As a family member ages, a caregiver may face the challenge of deciding whether the best living choice is assisted living, nursing home care, or aging in place. Aging in Place is the ability of an older adult to continue to live at home safely and independently.

The challenge of staying in one’s own home versus being forced into a nursing home because of disabilities or infirmities is now being tackled from a new avenue. Architects and household fixture designers are now acknowledging that millions of seniors can continue to live in their homes through the incorporation of Universal Design: the providing of access to people regardless of age or abilities that makes access throughout the household much easier.

Homes That Grow Gracefully With You

As we enter into retirement, we begin to face some very difficult questions about the future of our families and our ability to maintain our independence through the retirement years. We have a strong desire to retain our autonomy as long as possible and not rely on family members for assistance with daily living.

Universal and adaptable design concepts optimize space in our homes to accommodate a wide range of individuals with varying physical abilities, allow people to stay in their homes longer, and keep families together.

Adaptable design allows the easy modification of a space to accommodate a specific need. Where universal design benefits everyone regardless of ability, adaptable design provides access to spaces or products through alteration or the addition of an assistive device that bridges an existing barrier to its use. Adaptable design is defined by ANSI A117.1 (American National Standards Institute) as, “the ability of certain building elements, such as kitchen counters, sinks, and grab bars, to be added to, raised, lowered, or otherwise altered so as to accommodate the needs of either persons with or without disabilities, or to accommodate the needs of persons with different types or degrees of disability”.

The differences between universal and adaptable design may be obscure at times. One could consider the installation of grab bars in a shower to be universal as anyone can use the bar for balance or safety. But the installation of the backing (structural support) for grab bars may be considered adaptable if the intent is to install the bars at a future time when needed to provide access to the use of the shower by a person with a disability. It is this obscurity that points to the fact that universal and adaptable design is not a matter of listing items as features; rather, it is a philosophy of design.

Quick Facts…

• One-quarter of the U.S. population is over age 50.
• From 2000 to 2030 the over 65 population will double.
• By 2030, the population of older people will likely increase to over 69 million persons.
• By 2050, the U.S. will account for 79 million people over age 65.
• The net worth of seniors is five times greater than the average net worth of all U.S. citizens.

Most American seniors desire to stay in their homes for the rest of their lives. In fact an AARP survey found this number to be greater than 80% of seniors. This “stay at home” approach is also known as Aging in Place Several reasons are cited for this strong Aging in Place preference. These include:

• Comfortable environment
• Feelings of independence
• Convenience to services
• Familiarity
• Safety and security
• Proximity to family