NAHB Research Center to Host Reception at LifeWise Home to Commence National Aging in Place Week National Aging in Place (AIP) Week, organized by the Aging In Place Council and the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA), has been designated for November 7-13, 2004. AIP Week's objectives include building lasting coalitions across the U.S. to assist homeowners with pursuing their long-term care needs, and organizing educational activities to highlight programs and support services. Local coalitions can include geriatric care managers, occupational therapists, architects, interior designers, remodeling contractors (including those who have obtained the Certified Aging in Place Specialist designation), home health care companies, insurance companies and brokerages, and reverse mortgage lenders. Coalition organizers hope to encourage seniors, recent retirees, and baby boomers to be proactive in thinking about their future long-term housing and care needs, and provide them with ideas and information on how to do so. AIP Week will commence with a wine and cheese reception hosted by the NAHB Research Center and Rebuilding Together on Saturday, November 6, 2004, from 3-5 p.m. The reception, which will take place at the Research Center's LifeWise Home in Bowie, Md., will offer the opportunity to tour the state-of-the-art demonstration home in action and to network with regional leaders, trade best practices, and learn more about home modifications and materials and products that can allow seniors to age in place. The LifeWise Home is located at 16218 Pennsbury Drive, Bowie, Md. For more information about the LifeWise Home and driving directions, or to register for a regularly scheduled monthly tour, visit the home's website. Additional activities will take place throughout AIP Week in 20 cities nationwide, including Seattle, WA; Buffalo, NY; James Island, SC; Houston, TX, and throughout the state of Michigan . Activity information can be found at the Senior Safe Home website. back to top Entry Deadline Extended for Best of Seniors Housing Awards The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Seniors Housing Council has extended the deadline for entries for its 2005 Best of Seniors Housing Awards competition to Friday, November 5, 2004. The awards program is open to project owners, builders, developers, architects, remodelers, operators, interior designers and merchandisers, land planners and marketing/advertising firms that serve the burgeoning 55+ market. Winning a Best of Seniors Housing Award gives project teams the opportunity to promote their communities as "the best of the best" in the industry. For more information about the Best of Seniors Housing Awards, visit the NAHB website. back to top Standard Definitions Ease Hunt for Senior Housing Most older Americans never consider a move into "senior housing," according to a recent article by CBS Market Watch (Steve Kerch; October 6, 2004); in fact, many may be bewildered by the array of residential choices that falls under senior housing. Although most people may understand what nursing homes are, they may not know how they differ from assisted-living facilities, congregate-care facilities, continuing-care retirement communities, personal-care homes, board-and-care homes, senior apartments and age-restricted developments. The plethora of senior-housing descriptions is due in part to the marketing efforts of developers and owners of those properties. Varied descriptions can also be traced to a lack of standard oversight outside of the nursing-home field, where federal Medicare and Medicaid rules apply to almost all properties. The lack of understanding may be putting consumers in a tenuous position, especially seniors' adult children, who often must be their advocates when it comes to residential choices. Experts agree that most older Americans will be much better off if they, or their adult children on their behalf, discuss contingency plans sooner rather than later. See also the related story on finding senior-housing resources, below. Earlier this year, the American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA) and the National Investment Center for the Seniors Housing & Care Industries (NIC), along with other major members in the seniors housing business, agreed on standard definitions for numerous property descriptions. The groups agreed that the new classifications would end conflicts within the industry and simplify data-tracking on senior housing, as well as enable consumers to better sort through the growing number of projects. For more information, including detailed definitions of the recently agreed-upon descriptions, read the complete article. back to top Search for Senior Housing: Web Resources Offer a Good Start Baby boomers - not just seniors - should investigate senior housing needs now, according to a recent CBS Market Watch article (Steve Kerch; October 6, 2004). According to experts, older Americans are generally better off the sooner they begin to plan ahead. "Eventually you have to have a game plan. You have to plan what you are going to do when you can't live alone and you need some care," said Lawrence Frolik, a professor of law at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and author of "Residence Options for Older or Disabled Clients" (Warren, Gorham and Lamont, 1997). There are plenty of resources available, including books and help from elder-law attorneys or social workers specializing in geriatric care. Numerous websites are also available to help boomers investigate housing options, including the AARP and Administration on Aging (AoA) websites, as well as ElderWeb.com. Although the Internet may be a good starting point, boomers should also seek information from friends, relatives, doctors and senior centers in their area on making senior-housing choices. For more information, including an in-depth description of online resources, read the complete article. back to top As Boomers' Parents Age, 'In-Law' Living Options Grow According to a recent CBS Market Watch article (Andrea Coombes; October 7, 2004), separate "in law" apartments may be an emerging trend for senior care. Also known as "accessory housing," these apartments can provide adult children with an alternative to costly assisted living facilities for their parents, while also allowing them to keep their privacy and independence. Builders of high-end homes say market demand is increasing for their optional in-law suites, and modular-home builders have seen a jump in demand for cottages that can be attached to existing homes. It may be only a matter of time before these units appear in less pricey housing developments. The AARP's Public Policy Institute noted that features first appearing in upper-end homes tend to drift down into other homes in the market. New Urbanists - architects and developers who oppose suburban sprawl - are credited with first promoting communities with a range of housing types, including in-law apartments. According to the Rob Steuteville, editor and publisher of the New Urban News, a trade publication, in-law apartments make increasing sense as boomers and their parents age, plus they increase the supply of affordable housing. Although current zoning regulations can prevent in-law apartments and attached cottages in many neighborhoods, planning departments may soon have to adapt, given the nation's changing demographics. To learn more, read the complete article. back to top Smart Card Technology to Provide Medication Reminder for Elderly For many seniors, forgetting to take medication on schedule, or forgetting whether they have already taken their medication can be dangerous. Now, a design graduate student has developed a solution using smart card technology, according to a recent report by CNN (Julie Clothier; October 21, 2004). The device, "PillAid," involves a smart card and a dispenser and is aimed at improving communication among patients, pharmacists, doctors and health care providers. According to its inventor, Katrin Svabo Bech, patients can give their personalized card to their doctor to load prescription information, then bring it to their pharmacist who can use their information on the card to allot the prescribed medication into a dispenser. The dispenser has a tiny microchip inside, which can read the card's information and automatically alert the patient when it is time to take the medication, and whether they need to take it with food or water. For more information on this technology, read the complete article. back to top Some Aging Baby Boomers Buying Larger Homes Instead of Retirement Condos According to a recent article in the Miami Herald (John Wilen; October 17, 2004), a fast-growing segment of the 55-and-older housing market consists of big single-family homes, rather than condo or townhouse developments aimed at those wanting to downsize the size of their homes. Rather than decreasing their space, many retiring boomers may be looking only to decrease hassles, such as home maintenance, landscaping and garbage and snow removal. The interest in age-restricted, single-family home developments marks quite a change from a decade ago, when such developments were all townhouses or condos, housing experts say. Most age-restricted single-family home developments are structured in the same way as a condominium development: buyers own their houses, but the grounds are collectively owned by everyone in the community. Owners pay a monthly maintenance fee, which covers all landscaping and snow removal. Most communities also have amenities not offered in standard subdivisions, such as clubhouses, pools, recreation facilities and organized social events. For more information about this trend, read the complete article. back to top Agents, Builders Target Growing Downsizers Market According to a recent article in the Chattanooga Times Free Press (Jason M. Reynolds; October 3, 2004), real estate agents and developers are turning their attention to the aging population. Seniors real estate specialists, or SRES, a designation by the Senior Advantage Real Estate Council, agree that many homeowners over the age of 50 prefer to "downsize" into homes with no stairs, a level yard and community-provided maintenance. Other common requests include homes accessible to people with disabilities, ample bathroom storage spaces for medicine, and secure neighborhoods. As a result, builders are increasingly changing home designs to accommodate these requests. One common example is placing the laundry room directly off the kitchen, rather than in its traditional location in the basement. SRES-designated agents often work with financial experts such as accountants, attorneys and financial planners to help their clients do comprehensive estate planning that includes finding a smaller home. For additional information, read the complete article, available on HousingZone.com. back to top Marketing and Designing Homes for Reluctant Active Adult Buyers A recent article in Nation's Building News (William H. Kreager; September 27, 2004) explores the reluctance many older Americans may have to taking the plunge to purchase a new home. Research indicates that 85% of older Americans will remain in their family homes until they are physically unable to care for themselves, and active adults will visit a new home site between 11 and 17 times before making a purchase. The article suggests methods to prepare for potential homebuyers who may not have to move (or want to move), don't want to move far, are skeptical about the benefits of moving, are concerned about losing their identity in a "cookie cutter" home, and don't believe that they can afford to move. To read specific examples of how to address these challenges, read the complete article. back to top HomeFree Technology Selected for Intel- and Alzheimer's Association-Funded Research HomeFree Inc., a provider of wireless monitoring solutions for the senior housing and homecare markets, recently announced that its technology was selected for use in a research project at the University of Rochester's Center for Future Health. The program is sponsored by the Everyday Technologies for Alzheimer Care (ETAC) Consortium, which was founded last year by Intel and the Alzheimer's Association. ETAC sponsors research programs which focus on exploring how technology can be used to improve the daily living of dementia patients, ease caretaker anxiety and reduce the costs associated with institutional care. The new study will explore how wireless sensor monitoring technologies can report on a patient's daily home life. The goals of the project are to monitor changes in motion, behavioral patterns, and daily activities of people with dementia, and to determine if any such changes are correlated with their overall scores or subscores on standard rating scales. The first stage of the study will involve testing the technology, provided by HomeFree Systems and General Electric Research, in the smart medical home located at the university. Once calibrated, the wireless technology will be installed inside the homes of patients who volunteer to take part in the study, where further testing will take place over a period of three years. For more information, read the press releases, available on the HomeFree and Alzheimer Association websites. back to top AARP Touts Senior-Friendly Home with Universal Design At its recent annual convention in Las Vegas, Nev., the AARP displayed a model home promoting "universal design" features, such as wide doorways and step-free entries and showers. According to a recent CBS Market Watch article (Kristen Gerencher; October 7, 2004), aging and design experts agree that a home built or renovated with universal design features can accommodate many different life stages and tastes, and does not have to sacrifice aesthetics for practicalities. The model home is a three-bedroom, two-bathroom 1,750 square-foot home, where all interior and exterior doors are 36 inches wide (compared with the more typical 28- to 32-inch width), and feature lever-set handles for easy opening. Bathrooms include easy-to-clean laminate countertops that don't attract mold, as well as wheel-in showers with a synthetic marble that is made of high-quality fiberglass resin. The energy-efficient, flicker-free lighting provides bright, consistent lighting, which is especially important for those over 40 who may find it more difficult to adapt to light changes. Carpets are deliberately low-pile, allowing easy maintenance and mobility for those with walkers and wheelchairs. According to Larry Weinstein, national livable homes consultant for AARP in San Diego, Calif., a universally-designed home should cost no more than five to ten percent above a traditionally-built home. The model home displayed by the AARP should sell for $110,000 to $130,000, depending on the options homebuyers choose, he said. To learn more about the home's features, read the complete article, available on HousingZone.com. back to top 57th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America On November 19-23, the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) will host its 2004 Annual Scientific Meeting at the Marriott Wardman Park and the Omni Shoreham Hotels in Washington, DC. The conference will feature more than 400 sessions, including "The Future of Long-Term Care," "Housing and Healthy Aging," "Social and Environmental Factors Affecting the Mental and Physical Health of Urban Senior Housing Residents," "Medicare Discussions," "Federal Interagency Forum on Aging Related Statistics," "Meeting of the Media Minds" (for gerontology journalists), and many more. The Keynote Address will feature Dr. James Marks, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. In this position, Marks has developed and advanced systematic ways to reduce or prevent the consequences of tobacco use, obesity and diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. For more information, including descriptions of sessions and registration information, visit the Meeting website. back to top New England to Host Fall 50+ Housing Symposium November 3-4, 2004 The 50-Plus New England Housing Council, one of the NAHB Seniors Housing Council's local councils, will be sponsoring the "Northeast Regional Fall Symposium: Keys to Success in the 50+ Market" symposium on November 3 and 4, 2004, at the Gillette Stadium Conference Center in Foxboro, Mass. The symposium will feature regional speakers from the six-state area as well as nationally-recognized industry professionals who will discuss how to attract today's mature consumers to New England, one of the country's fastest-growing active adult markets. The Northeast Regional Fall Symposium will show builders how to meet demand through marketing, merchandising, community design and community amenities. The two-day conference will include eight sessions covering topics including planning issues, branding and marketing, marketing technology and effective merchandising techniques. The cost of the symposium is $195 for members of the 50-Plus New England Housing Council and $295 for all other attendees. To register online, visit the Builders Association of Greater Boston website or contact Catie Ruggiero at 617-773-1300. back to top Designing Cars (Quietly) for Aging Drivers For car manufacturers, "the older consumer is going to be [your] greatest challenge, but also your greatest opportunity," said Joseph F. Coughlin, director of the Age Lab at MIT's Center for Transportation & Logistics, at the recent 2004 MIT Automotive Industries Conference. According to a recent article in the Boston Globe (Royal Ford; October 24, 2004), Coughlin is interested in designing automobiles for what will be an explosive population of older drivers - who don't want car companies to tell them they're old. Between now and 2025, the numbers of drivers over age 65 will increase from just over 50 million to 82.5 million in the United States. They will drive more miles and spend much of their personal wealth on automobiles. At the same time, many older drivers will experience diminished hearing, vision, strength and flexibility, as well as other skills, which will make them more likely to get into accidents. Coughlin added that elderly owners of today's advanced autos can be confronted with an array of electronic menus for even the simplest tasks. Additionally, while car companies may be designing cars with young drivers in mind, older drivers are more likely to be able to afford cars that come with high-tech equipment. Coughlin suggested several "hidden enablers" that could accommodate older consumers without letting them know that the car has their frailties in mind. Examples include two-stage air bags that do not deploy as hard for lightweight, elderly drivers; door handles with big grips; and adjustable clutch, brake, and gas pedals. To learn more, read the complete article. back to top | 
