Buzz
Baby boomers are determined to remain in their homes.
John Kelly/Taxi/Getty ImagesThe baby boomer generation, encompassing 75 million Americans born between 1946 and 1964, is aging, with the first wave turning 65 in 2011. This generation will experience a very different kind of retirement, marked by longer work years, second careers, volunteering, or continuing education. Unlike their predecessors who flocked to Florida or nursing homes, baby boomers aim to stay in their own homes.
According to a 2000 survey by the AARP, 71 percent of Americans aged 45 and older expressed a strong desire to remain in their homes. This desire to 'age in place' means opting for familiar surroundings rather than institutional nursing homes, creating a more comfortable living environment.
This simple yet profound wish to stay at home may significantly impact home design trends. The home-building industry sees aging as one of the most significant influences on design in the coming years, second only to the challenge of finding skilled labor to complete the necessary work [source: NAHB]. While boomers resist moving to retirement homes, they understand that their homes will need to adapt to address mobility and health concerns that come with aging.
Boomers aren't ready for their homes to resemble nursing homes, even if they are already caring for aging parents. They want to prepare for the possibility of needing a wheelchair without committing to a home that looks specifically designed for wheelchair use. This is why so many baby boomers are adopting universal design, a design philosophy that blends both function and aesthetics seamlessly.
Universal design was created by an architect who was wheelchair-bound and believed that buildings should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities or age. Although the concept has existed since the 1970s, it has gained significant support from the AARP, who actively promotes it to their members. As a result, 75 percent of contractors surveyed by the National Association of Home Builders report an increase in requests for aging-in-place related projects [source: NAHB].
In this article, we’ll explore the features of universal design and how they can assist baby boomers. But don’t skip ahead just because you’re not nearing retirement—universal design is beneficial for everyone. On the next page, we’ll take a closer look at what a home with universal design looks like.
Universal Design Features
Entryways without stairs and lever-style door handles provide effortless access for all.
Realistic Reflections/Getty ImagesUniversal design is built upon several key principles:
- Equitable use: All individuals should be able to use the design features in the same way.
- Flexibility in use: The design can be adapted to meet the needs of different users; for instance, it should accommodate both right- and left-handed users.
- Simple and intuitive: The feature should be easily understood by all users, regardless of their experience or language background.
- Perceptible information: Information related to the feature should be clear and easily identifiable.
- Tolerance for error: The design reduces the risks and consequences of user mistakes.
- Low physical effort: The design should not require excessive physical exertion.
- Size and space for approach and use: There should be sufficient space to move around and reach things, whether sitting or standing.
[source: Connell et al.]
To see universal design in action, let’s take a virtual tour of a home that follows these principles. Stepless entryways are a key feature of universal design homes, providing easy access for everyone. Upon entering, you'll notice lever-style door handles—much easier to operate than traditional knobs, especially when carrying groceries or if you have arthritis.
On the main floor, everything you need should be easily accessible, including a kitchen and bathroom. Most importantly, there should be at least one bedroom on the ground level, often the master bedroom. This allows residents to live comfortably on the first floor when they can no longer manage stairs.
Having everything on one level doesn't mean baby boomers will forgo two-story homes; guest bedrooms or home offices may be located upstairs. If the home has multiple floors, stairs should be painted in slightly different colors to help those with vision impairments. Another option is to install stacked cabinets, which can be adapted to accommodate an elevator for easy movement between floors when needed.
No matter where you go in the house, you'll find spacious hallways designed to accommodate the turning radius of a wheelchair. Not in a wheelchair yet? The wide, open spaces will simply feel airy. Most likely, you'll be walking on hardwood floors rather than restrictive carpet. Throughout the home, lighting will be ample, and light switches, outlets, and thermostats will be placed no higher than 48 inches (1.2 meters) from the floor [source: Perkins].
In the kitchen, every element is placed for ease of use by both standing and wheelchair users. For example, the microwave is placed on the counter rather than in a cabinet, and the countertops and cabinets are lower than in traditional homes.
Inside a universal design kitchen
Realistic Reflections/Getty ImagesNow let’s check out the bathroom. The toilet is higher, and countertops are set at various heights to cater to different users. Instead of a bathtub, there may be a walk-in shower, which can be converted into a 'wheel-in' shower if necessary. The shower walls are reinforced to allow the installation of a grab bar for added safety. Don’t worry—the grab bars won’t look institutional; many companies now offer stylish options, including designer shower chairs and grab bars for aging baby boomers.
On the following page, we will explore how to incorporate universal design into your home.
Incorporating Universal Design
When constructing a home, it’s important to plan for universal design from the outset.
Ariel Skelley/Blend Images/Getty ImagesIncorporating universal design into a new home may add only about 5 percent to the total cost compared to a similar home without universal design features [source: Taylor]. In some cases, there may be no additional cost at all, providing significant savings over moving into a retirement community.
However, retrofitting an existing home to include universal design features can be far more expensive than building a home with those features from scratch. Some modifications can be 20 times more costly when added during a remodel than when they’re part of the original construction [source: Dupes]. For example, adding a wider doorway during the initial build might only cost an extra $6, but retrofitting it can run up to $650 due to the necessary structural changes [source: Burney]. Installing an elevator in a home with stacked cabinets could cost around $20,000, whereas the same installation during construction could cost closer to $50,000 [source: Burney].
Whether you're constructing a new home or renovating an existing one, don’t wait for the need for universal design to arise before incorporating it. If you're considering it, start planning now—don’t wait until you've experienced a fall and your home isn't ready for wheelchair accessibility.
It’s never too soon to begin thinking about universal design. As we saw in our home tour earlier, the features benefit more than just the elderly. They're subtle and blend in until they're needed. For example, a wide hallway is helpful for a young parent with a stroller, and lower light switches are accessible for children.
Adding these features might increase your home's value because it can accommodate anyone. By 2030, 70 million people will be over the age of 65, making up 20 percent of the U.S. population [source: Gardyn]. Neglecting universal design could cause many potential buyers to overlook your property, and as baby boomers continue to demand these features, universal design may eventually become mandatory. California has already implemented a voluntary universal design code, and some cities and counties are developing zoning rules to encourage universal design in homes.
If you're unsure which features to include, help is available. Many contractors are now knowledgeable about universal design, but you can also look for one with specialized training. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) launched the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) program in partnership with AARP in 2002. This program trains professionals to design homes that meet the needs of aging individuals. During training, designers and contractors experience life in a wheelchair and simulate conditions like arthritis while trying to open doors with tennis balls. To find a CAPS-certified professional, visit the NAHB directory.
For additional articles and resources on aging, baby boomers, and housing, visit the next page.
Universal design focuses on creating homes that are usable by everyone. But isn't that also the aim of accessibility? Not exactly. Accessibility guidelines are specifically crafted for individuals with disabilities, while universal design is designed to accommodate people of all abilities. Some features, such as wide hallways for wheelchairs and grab bars in bathrooms, are common to both accessible and universally designed homes. However, universal design doesn’t rely on special materials that would distinguish it from accessible design. A clear example of the difference can be seen in how you enter the home. In an accessible house, you’ll find a ramp, but in a universal design home, you can simply walk through the stairless entryway.
