Innovative Building and Remodeling Solutions
for Independent Living

As our economy slowly rebounds, the cost of living in general, still seems to increase in its traditional manner. For retirees and seniors who every day realize the reality and limitations of a fixed income—aging-in-place may not only be the best personal choice in one’s golden years, but it may be the most economically sound option as well.

In a recent article by Tom Kelly for Inman News, he describes how rising long-term care costs are fueling the demand for aging-in-place home modifications. According to Kelly, even thoughbuilders are doing an admirable job of incorporating universal design features in new homes, baby boomers still continue to be slow in accepting the need for them.

John Migliaccio, director of research at MetLife’s Mature Market Institute, relates the natural hesitation of accepting one’s aging with the sometimes protracted decision to proactively incorporate aging-in-place modifications and universal design into one’s home. He explains that this is similar to people’s natural uncertainty of accepting new technologies. “I think universal design features can be likened to the first cell phones,” he continues, “At first, very few people used them—now, they are ubiquitous. In fact, every kid has one. Consumers haven’t really gotten the message on universal design yet—but we feel they will.”

Such slow acceptance is also similar to people’s responses to environmentally friendly homes. For example, only 12% of respondents to a MetLife survey said they would pay more for a green home. But, the same people surveyed are willing to pay an average one-time amount of nearly $7,000 if it would save $1,000 annually in utility costs. While another 23% of respondents said they are concerned about the environment, it does not drive their decision to purchase.

Kelly believes that the key to modifying people’s ideas and behaviors is through education and the dissemination of proper and appropriate information by the aging-in-place experts. “The educational push by builders, architects, and designers is to remove the ‘old’ association from universal design.”

As is well known, universal design advocates that all built environments not only be accessible to people regardless of age, size, or physical ability, but also that the features of these environments be compelling and appear seamless to the design of the home. Not only can these amenities and alterations serve all ages, but the potential of these home modifications to save seniors and people with disabilities significant financial resources is becoming more and more evident.

In addition to saving money and making a home more safe and livable, universal design and aging-in-place construction can also save an individual’s ego and sense of independence while simultaneously adding aesthetic beauty and enhancing the home’s resale value. Kelly explains, “Builders are striving to create universal design applications that make it easier for someone to carry out daily activities such as preparing meals, climbing stairs, and bathing—as well as changing the physical structure of a home to improve its overall safety and condition. In addition, these attractive amenities no longer sing out, ‘An old person lives here!’”

According to Kelly, the necessary tools required for homeowners to stay in their homes longer and age-in-place were brought to the forefront of the building community as a result of a cost survey of nursing homes, assisted-living communities, home care agencies, and adult day services in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. This included national figures and data from 87 individual markets across the country. (Note:  For nursing homes, private-pay rates for long-term (custodial) nursing care were obtained for both private and semi-private rooms throughout the U.S.).

The following survey data* are from a recent MetLife study:

• National average rates for a private room in a nursing home increased by 3.3% from $212 daily (or $77,380 annually) in 2008 to $219 daily (or $79,935 annually) in 2009.

• National average rates for a semi-private room in a nursing home increased by 3.7% from $191 daily (or $69,715 annually) in 2008 to $198 daily (or $72,270 annually) in 2009.

• National average assisted-living base rates increased by 3.3%, from $3,031 monthly (or $36,372 annually) in 2008 to $3,131 monthly (or $37,572 annually) in 2009.

• The 2009 national average hourly rate for home health aides increased by 5%, from $20 in 2008 to $21 in 2009.

• The national average hourly rate for homemaker/companions increased by 5.6% from $18 in 2008 to $19 in 2009.

• Adult day services national average daily rates increased by 4.7% from $64 in 2008 to $67 in 2009.

*At assisted-living communities, costs were obtained for room and board (at least two meals per day, housekeeping, and personal care) in one-bedroom apartments or private rooms with private baths. Home care rates were based on hourly rates for home health aides at licensed agencies and agency-provided homemaker/companion services. Adult day-service costs reflect daily rates at licensed facilities for the majority, though licensing requirements vary by state.

The bottom line is that there are not enough nursing homes to accommodate all of the baby boomers’ future needs—even if they could afford the care. So it is a simple supply and demand equation that in this case is about cost and space. The solution very likely exists in aging-in-place, incorporating universal design applications, and utilizing the professional home remodeling services of companies like Home Evolutions.