http://aipcustombuilders.com/ - According to the Centers for Disease Control, aging in place is a term that means staying in your home safely, independently and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level. This is a concept that is quickly gaining popularity especially more and more Americans are reaching retirement age. Mobility and functionality are often deciding if you can age in place. Universal Design is a concept that addresses mobility and functionality in a home. AIP (Age In Place) Custom Builders, a partnership of family-owned, award-winning builders and remodeler that specialize in creating aesthetically pleasing home renovations and innovative barrier-free living environments.

1. Say You Saw It In The SENIOR NEWS • May, 2013 9
The U.S. Census Bureau says
more than 60 million Americans
are 55 or older, and that number
will jump to more than 100 million
when the youngest of the Baby
Boomers reach full retirement age.
More than 80 percent of us, according
to AARP, intend to stay in our homes
as we age.
Aging in place is a term that refers to
staying in your own home in your later
years, “safely, independently, and
comfortably, regardless of age,
income, or ability level,” according to
the Centers for Disease Control. It is a
concept that has gained popularity -
and practicality - as the nation’s demo-
graphic profile began shifting toward
the highest percentage of older adults
in history.
“Older people want choices about
where and how they age in place,” said
Janine L. Wiles, Ph.D. and colleagues
in a 2011 article in The Gerontologist.
“Aging in place related to a sense of
identity both through independence
and autonomy and through caring rela-
tionships and roles in the places people
live.”
Is It Right For You?
The decision to age in place depends
on numerous factors, not the least of
which is your personal preference.
Emotional attachment to one’s home
and community, according to research
studied by the National Institutes of
Health, suggest that these attachments
can be assets to healthy aging. Other
considerations include your present
physical condition and capabilities; as
well as anticipated future needs to
address changing capabilities; the sup-
port systems you have in place (i.e.,
family and friends); the availability of
additional support, such as in-home
assistance and/or medical care (see our
related article,
“Find the Re-
sources You Need
To Stay On Your
Own Turf,” on
page 10); and
whether your home
is or can be adapted
to meet your needs
as you age. The
MetLife Founda-
tion offers a work-
book to help you
determine if aging
in place is right for
you. Visit the web-
site at www.
MetLife.com to
access the free
download.
Readying Your Home
Age-related changes in mobility and
functioning are often the primary fac-
tor in determining whether aging in
place is a good choice. Home design
sometimes makes it difficult for a per-
son with arthritis, balance issues or
other mobility limitations to move
through or access parts of the house,
and may even increase risks to your
safety in a home that suited your needs
when you were 30 years younger.
The concept of Universal Design
addresses these accessibility and safety
issues. The term was coined by archi-
tect Ronald L. Mace and later expand-
ed by Selwyn Goldsmith in the early
1960s. The broad range of ideas
encompassed by Universal Design in
its contemporary use refers to creating
environments that are barrier-free,
adaptive and accessible, while still
upholding the highest degree of aes-
thetic appeal.
“Adding Universal Design features
to a home increases its functionality
and livability,” said
David Callahan, a
partner in AIP
(Aging in Place)
Custom Builders
and president of
Callahan and
Peters, a company
that has been serv-
icing homeowners
since 1948. AIP is
a partnership of
non-competing,
f a m i l y - o w n e d
remodelers. The
collaboration was
established in
2012, and each
partner has been in
existence for more
than 25 years.
According to the CDC, the possibili-
ty of falling represents the greatest risk
to seniors, so those who choose to age
in place need to consider modifications
that reduce this risk and improve their
comfort and ability to function in the
home. Callahan said the top three ren-
ovations to make a home more safer
and more senior-friendly include
remodeling the bathroom, adding a
first-floor master bedroom, and mak-
ing the kitchen more accessible.
“Making bathrooms more barrier-
free can include revamping the space
to make it more open,” he explained.
The most popular request is making a
walk-in shower with a sitting stool.
This is sometimes called a barrier-free
shower, which eliminates tripping haz-
ards and when done right, looks spa-
like.”
Adding a first-floor suite eliminates
any problems with climbing stairs in a
two-story home. Some homeowners
alternately opt for the installation of an
elevator.
Kitchen renovations should be
aimed at making the elements in the
room more accessible and improving
workspace. This might include
increasing open floor space, adjusting
appliance height, installing rollout and
sliding shelves, and enhancing light-
ing, Callahan said.
Other considerations might include
filling in sunken rooms; widening
doorways and hallways to accommo-
date the use of a walker or wheelchair;
adding safety features such as security
alarms, cameras and exterior lighting;
and installing keyless door locks to
make entry easier for you, Callahan
said.
The Right Credentials
Whatever improvements you have in
mind, Callahan recommends that you
work with a contractor who is a
Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist, a
designation instituted by the National
Association of Home Builders in con-
junction with Home Innovation
Research Labs, the 50+ Housing
Council and AARP. CAPS designation
signifies that the professional you’re
working with has been trained in
design and building solutions that
address aging and home accessibility.
The decision to age in place has
many advantages, provided your home
is designed or renovated to accommo-
date your changing needs as you age.
Such improvements, Callahan said,
give you an attractive, comfortable,
more functional dwelling for your later
years, while increasing the value of
your investment.
For more information on home
improvements that support aging in
place, visit the website at
AIPCustomBuilders.com or call 847-
830-0570.
Age-Proof Your Life To Age In Place
By Dawn Williams, Senior News Associate Publisher
Universal design promotes open
space for easier access. This approach
benefits those with mobility issues,
and creates a spacious, comfortable
environment for those of all abilities.