Essential Features of an Elderly-Friendly Home

Between 2010 and 2020, the number of US citizens aged 65 or older is expected to increase by 35%. As a result, there is a greater need to incorporate elderly friendly features into the design of homes. In fact, new age homes need to be multigenerational where people can spend their entire lives.

According to a survey conducted by AARP, the vast majority of elderly Americans want to spend their entire lives in their homes. And they want to live independently. When people age their general health tends to deteriorate. Elderly people are less mobile and also suffer from poor eye vision. Any new residential design should anticipate these changes and incorporate appropriate features. The homes should still remain comfortable, safe and aesthetically attractive.

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) surveyed new and potential homebuyers to find out what features they look for in a home. The findings of this survey were released in 2013.

Nearly 47% people who participated in the survey rated non-slip floors as a desirable feature. And 36% people want a full bathroom on the main level and a main entrance without steps. All of these clearly indicate that buyers are purchasing with aging in mind.

The NAHB has also compiled a checklist for builders working on new or renovated housing projects for the elderly. In fact, by incorporating these features into their projects, developers can build multigenerational homes that resonate with buyers of all age groups.

So what are the most important features of a multigenerational home? Developers building elderly-friendly homes should keep the following features in mind:

Features of the overall floor plan

·         The main living areas should be on one level.

·         There should be no steps between rooms on the same level.   

·         There should be clear walking space between rooms in the main living area

Hallways

·         The hallways should be well-lit and at least 36 inches wide.

Entry

·         The path leading to the home should be easily accessible.

Windows

·         There should be plenty of windows so that natural light can enter the home.

Garage or Carport

·         A carport should have a covered boarding area.

·         The floor of the front part of the garage to the back part should be sloping. This will be helpful if the floor is lower for the purpose of fume protection.

·         The door height should be 9 feet, so that they can accommodate raised roof vans. The door also needs to be wide.

Kitchen

·         There should be removable base cabinets and adjustable height counters in the kitchen.

·         Upper wall cabinetry should be somewhat lower than traditional height.

Electrical and lighting features

·         An audiovisual system should indicate when smoke or carbon monoxide detector has been activated. There should also be a system that monitors telephone and doorbell activity.

·         Light switches, controls and thermostats must be easily accessible. They should be at a height of less than 48 inches (120 cm) from the floor.

·         It should be possible to monitor the home security or intercom system from any TV set in the household.

·         Other desirable security features include a 911 switch that directly contacts the police, fire service, and EMS if necessary.

The homes should require less maintenance. They should have floors that can be cleaned easily. There should also be video phones and inbuilt recycling systems. Energy efficiency is another highly desirable feature.

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Economic And Housing Activity Seeing Upward Movement

Good news! The National Association of Home Builders/First American Leading Markets Index (LMI) reports that the housing market in 58 out of approximately 350 metropolitan regions across the country stayed at or exceeded the last normal level of activity. This means that on average the nation is at 87 percent of the normal housing and economic activity. This is great news for every facet of the housing market, from buyers to mortgage professionals to realtors to brokers to builders and more.

Housing Market Seeing Slow And Steady Progress

NAHB Chairman Rick Judson also works as a home builder in Charlotte. He says of the report, “U.S. housing markets are continuing to see a slow and steady progress back to the normal level. As the confidence of consumers gets stronger, this increases the number of buyers that are in the market.” As a builder, he understands and sees this firsthand in his own business.

The co-sponsor of the LMI report, First American Title Insurance Company, released this statement from vice chairman, Kurt Pfotenhauer. “We are pleased to see these continuing upward market trends, which are highlighted by the signs of improvement that were seen in eight-five percent of all metro areas over the last year.” As you can see, this is a trend that is spreading across the country, which is a sign that the market may be finally recovering.

What has been the impetus to this change? NAHB Chief Economist, David Crowe, attributes it to the firming housing prices that are being found in a number of markets. He went on to say that the healthiest housing markets in the country are actually in smaller cities that have a strong local economy. Among these are the gas and oil producing states of Wyoming, North Dakota, Louisiana, and Texas. This may be due to the steady job market that is offered in the community, as well as the income levels.

Small And Large Cities Seeing Growth In Activity

Both small and large metropolitan areas are seeing significant growth in the housing market activity. In the larger cities, at the top of the LMI list is Baton Rouge, LA, which has a score of 1.41-, which means that they had an increase of 41 percent over their last normal market level. Other metros that were listed include: Austin, Houston, Honolulu, and Oklahoma City. Two areas have exceeded their previous norms. They are Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, PA.

In the smaller metro areas, the top of the list is Bismarck, ND, Casper, WY, and Grand Forks, ND. Odessa and Midland, Texas have an LMI score of 2.0 or better, which means that the housing market is now at double the strength that it was before the recession.

This is good news for all segments of the housing market. Beginning to see upward movement is almost certainly a trend that will continue to grow in other metro areas, both small and large. Continuing to watch the LMI, as well as other reports, can enable us to stay on top of the market now and in the future.