There’s a significant change taking place in our country: retirees are no longer seeking solace in a nursing home or gated community; they’re looking to stay right where they are, in the comfort of their own home.
This shift in living patterns is called “aging in place”, and it’s a well-known term amongst the construction, distribution, and service industries, as it presents an unmistakable opportunity.
An aging population
The focus on the influential Baby Boomer generation coming to retirement age has largely been placed on the potential pitfalls of industries such as insurance and healthcare, not initially built to accommodate such a massive shift in the population.
But while big business like insurance and healthcare have much to figure out, there’s one thing in total control of the Boomer population, and it’s how and where they live. And in allowing them the choice, it means the chance for contractors to rise up and meet the challenge of their decision.
Building for change
Aging in place, according to AgingInPlace.com, is “much more than being in an environment of choice as one gets older; it means a home – a place where emotional and functional needs are met.”
Knowing the desire to “age in place” is on the rise, the National Association of Home Builders named the concept as the second-largest influence on home design in the coming years. The opportunity therein lies for contractors of many sorts: retrofitting a home to be a place an aging person can stay, or building a new home suitable for years to come.
Building for aging in place often brings up the term “universal design”. Universal design is a design “allowing function and aesthetics to coexist”. Around since the 1970’s, universal design is certainly not limited solely to the handicapped or aging populations. But since the AARP became a promoter of universal design in recent years, it has certainly leapt in popularity in catering to the growing number of retirees looking to age in place.
Universal design
How Stuff Works offers a fairly comprehensive guide to understanding and implementing universal design within the home.
The concepts of universal design presented in the article include:
– Flexibility in use: design features can be adjusted depending on the user.
– Simple and intuitive: there is no required knowledge level necessary to understand how to operate the design features.
– Tolerance for error: the design minimizes danger and potential consequences of misuse.
– Low physical effort: no sweat equity here.
– Size and space: whether seated or standing, there’s room to move and things are within reach.
Consider the following design “features”:
– lower light switches (approximately 48” off the ground)
– microwave on counter instead of mounted between cupboards
– wide hallways
– grab bar in the shower
These features are often associated with seniors, yet they are considered universal design because they are convenient and functional for people of all ages – lower light switches for kids; wider hallways for moms with strollers; microwave on the counter for wheelchair access. It’s universal for a reason!
The prevalence of universal design
Understanding universal design as a contractor is an important bit of knowledge to have.
In fact, since the AARP began promoting universal design to its members, contractors polled through the NAHB reported an increase of 75 percent in the number of work requests related to aging in place.
This work comes in two forms, as mentioned: retrofitting, and new builds. A fun fact: as you might’ve guessed, constructing a new build with universal design principles is a heck of a lot cheaper than retrofitting an existing home. But while the cost difference might matter to some customers, it certainly won’t to the ones who are adamant about maintaining an independent lifestyle in their home, their community, and with their memories.
Meeting the challenge
How are you going to shift your business to be able to quote more work in a growing market? We’ve got some ideas. Using mobile quote software to meet Boomers where they are, learn their needs, and provide on-site quoting streamlines your processes and allows you to put more estimates out there. Well, what are you waiting for? Learn more today.
