Aging in Place Momentum Growing

NAHB recently hosted the Partnerships for Aging in Place conference in conjunction with the National Home Modification Action Coalition (NHMAC). The coaliation considered recommendations that will come before the White House Conference on Aging (WHCOA) in December and pointed to rising demand for aging-in-place remodeling and universal design in new building projects.
 
Held once every decade to consider all aspects of aging, this year’s WHCOA will take a look at maximizing aging-in-place opportunities for the nation’s 78 million baby boomers. In 2001, NAHB and AARP created the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) designation to begin addressing this issue.
 
Organizations such as NHMAC have been working to build community infrastructure to facilitate aging in place. NHMAC was created specifically to increase home modifications and accessible housing for independent living, including consideration of transportation, long-term health care, and building codes.
 
Universal design has advanced far beyond its institutional beginnings, to the point that many home owners don’t even recognize adaptable features, according to conference speaker Andy Kochera of AARP. [ return to top ]