| National Home Modifications Action Coalition to host White House Conference on Aging Event The National Home Modifications Coalition (NHMAC) will be hosting Partnerships for Aging in Place on June 6-7 at the National Association of Home Builders, 1201 15th Street, NW in Washington, DC. The meeting has been sanctioned as being one of two official White House Conference on Aging events sponsored by the NHMAC with the goal of identifying recommendations to be submitted to the WHCoA Policy Committee concerning the role that home design, home modifications, community services, and housing policy play in supporting aging in place. The first meeting was held in Philadelphia on March 11 at the American Society on Aging / National Council on Aging annual conference where topics such as funding, research, services, increasing housing options, policy, capacity building, and consumer education were identified as components needing further discussion and consideration. The conference, scheduled to start at 1:00 pm on June 6, will followed by a reception and a dinner. It will reconvene on June 7 from 8:30 am until 5 pm. In addition to NAHB, cosponsors include AARP, the National Research Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modifications at USC, and Rebuilding Together. Registration is $50, and can be mailed to the NHMAC, Inc.; 14811 Downey Court, Dale City, VA 22193. For additional information contact Leon Harper at (703) 590-9512 or leonudharper@aol.com. back to top If Accessibility Becomes an Issue, Builders Can Help A recent article in the Ann Arbor News (Linda Hass; March 13, 2005), highlights the home of Tom Hoatlin, director of development for the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living, as the perfect example of a barrier-free dwelling. The 1,800-square-foot home, which Hoatlin helped design, was built in 1991 to provide every possible convenience for a wheelchair user, including a platform elevator in the lower level. However, the supply of homes like Hoatlin's is limited. As a result, many people who need such a home end up remodeling an existing home. Yet remodeling a home for accessibility costs more than putting in accessible features during initial construction, builders and architects say. "Remodeling is more expensive because it often requires demolition before you can install new structures," said David Esau, vice president of Cornerstone Design Inc., an architectural firm in Ann Arbor that specializes in commercial and barrier-free residential design. "Building from scratch is cost-effective because you have what you want from the get-go." This issue will become increasingly important as the population ages, Esau said. Experts recommend those in the market for a new home, or interested in remodeling an existing one, begin by checking with the local building code enforcement official to determine what drawings will be required, what the permit will cost and what local requirements will affect them. Additionally, work on the exterior of the building, such as ramps, should be discussed with planning or zoning officials to be sure added exterior features don't cross setback lines or violate other requirements. For more information, including a summary of accessible home features, read the complete article. back to top Age-Restricted Housing Lures Some Underage Buyers Age-restricted housing offers many features to appeal to older buyers, including easy maintenance, services such as landscaping and snow-shoveling, and amenities such as pools, clubhouses, fitness centers. However, according to a recent article in the Bucks County Courier Times (Jodi Spiegel Arthur; April 4, 2005), older buyers aren't the only ones who want to enjoy these benefits. Younger buyers are taking advantage of a federal law that allows for the building of developments for those age 55 and older, but requires only 80 percent of the houses be occupied by at least one person of that age. According to Linda Cohen, assistant vice president of marketing for Toll Brothers, younger people, generally in their 40s and 50s, occupy 20 percent of one of Toll Brothers' two Philadelphia-area 55-plus communities. That's the maximum allowable by law under the Housing for Older Persons Act of 1995, an amendment to the Fair Housing Act of 1968. Jeff Jenkins, communications manager for the National Association of Home Builders Seniors Housing Council, said that although under-age residents of age-restricted communities are the exception, "We have noticed a trend in recent years where the age of people in these communities has gone down." One thing hasn't changed, however; children aren't welcome as full-time residents in age-restricted communities. To learn more about this trend, read the complete article. back to top Home Builders Sensitive to Aging A recent editorial in the Bedford, Ind., Times-Mail News (April 2, 2005) praised the efforts of local homebuilders in demonstrating their increasing awareness and understanding of the needs of the aging population. By "age-proofing" homes, contractors are providing a service of immeasurable value. The age-proofing trend in housing is making it easier for people to stay in their own homes as they get older and their energy and mobility levels decline. Jon Pritchett, an aging in place specialist with Pritchett Bros. Inc., described the approach as "living in your home safely, independently and comfortably regardless of your age or ability level." To learn more, read the complete editorial. back to top Smart Moves: With Planning, Multi-Generations Can Live Together According to a recent article in the Miami Herald (Ellen James Martin; March 20, 2005), because relatively young couples are raising offspring and looking after elderly parents at the same time, it's not surprising that more people are embracing a concept in vogue a century ago: extended family housing, or "multi-generational households." The idea of pooling resources to buy a home together makes financial sense to an increasing number of families, given the spiraling cost of real estate. But this solution isn't for everyone - older parents may not want to burden their grown children and may prefer to live alone, or interpersonal frictions may arise. The article suggests that homebuyers discuss the implications of living together before buying, shop for a home located in an area that meets the entire family's needs, focus on a senior-friendly design when shopping for a property, and persevere until they find a property that meets their design requirements or can be readily adapted to do so. For more detail, read the entire article. back to top Owners Remodel to Make Homes Aging-Friendly A growing number of baby boomers and their parents are retrofitting their homes to accommodate them in their senior years, states a recent article in the Lansing State Journal (Hugh Leach; March 18, 2005). Many homeowners are taking the equity and reinvesting it to help them remain in their homes. According to the Michigan Disability Rights Coalition, a 2002 survey showed a large majority of Michigan residents want to remain in their homes as they age. Yet according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), one reason people give for not modifying homes is distrust of contractors. As a result, the NAHB created the aging-in-place certification. (The Certified Aging in Place Specialist, or CAPS designation is awarded to remodelers and others who have completed a three day course that includes training on working with and marketing to older adults, on providing home modifications, and on business development and ethics.) "When you deal with aging-in-place specialists, you get someone with a better understanding of the needs of people over 55," said Brindley Byrd, one of four area contractors with the certification. For more information, read the entire article. For information on the CAPS certification or to find a list of Certified Aging in Place Specialists, go to www.nahb.org and type CAPS in the search engine. back to top Accessible Living Can Be Beautiful A recent article in the Nashville City Paper (Kristin Yancey; March 4, 2005), the trend of grown children moving elderly parents into their homes is fast-growing, requiring adult children to reorganize their lives, and more importantly, their homes, to accommodate the transition. The article highlights renovations performed by one homeowner, who wanted to prepare a guest suite for her parents, as well as ensure that she would always have access to her own master bedroom. The guest suite, which has a bedroom, bathroom, and den, can be easily accessed via a wheelchair ramp and wide doors. The suite's bathroom also has a wide door, and features a wet area without borders for the shower, and a slightly-lower sink area that can accommodate a wheelchair. The bathroom also features a small kitchen area, equipped with a refrigerator, coffee maker, and microwave. And attractive tiles and fixtures make the suite attractive as well as functional. During the renovation, the homeowner added a wheelchair lift going up to the upstairs master bedroom. She used framed art and a chandelier to transform the lift ride from boring to beautiful. She pointed out that there are many stages before a wheelchair where a homeowner may need a little help. For more information, read the complete article. back to top First Seniors 20 Club Explores Issues of Growing 50+ Market Land costs, universal design, and marketing techniques for the 50+ housing market topped the agenda at the first 50+ Seniors Housing 20 Club meeting at the National Housing Center on February 17 and 18, where fourteen builders from non-competing markets gathered to share their knowledge and experiences. The 20 Clubs program was started 10 years ago by the National Association of Home Builders to give builders face time with an untapped resource of the association ? other builders. The clubs are limited to 20 members each, with the members coming from non-competing markets across the country. Members of the seniors 20 club include small-, medium- and large-volume builders who specialize in active-adult, multigenerational, single-family detached and age-qualified rental homes. They will meet several times a year to discuss the issues surrounding the seniors housing market, tap into the expertise of NAHB's Seniors Housing Council staff and share ways to grow their businesses. The formation of the 50+ Seniors Housing 20 Club is especially timely to its members, who currently are grappling with the issues of accommodating the varying needs of baby boomers as they begin to move into age-qualified housing. Active-adult housing currently represents one of the fastest-growing segments of the industry, and the over-50 market is estimated to hit 100 million by the year 2010. There are now 48 clubs operating, with each focusing on a particular segment of the home building industry, such as custom home building, production building, small volume building, land development, seniors housing, urban infill, marketing, remodeling and more. For more information on the 20 Clubs program, visit www.nahb.org/20clubs. back to top Health and Safety Leaders Launch Coalition to Address the Risk of Fall-Related Injuries for Older Adults The National Council on the Aging (NCOA), the Home Safety Council (HSC), the National Safety Council (NSC), and the Archstone Foundation, and others recently announced the formation of the Falls Free Coalition to address the growing problem of falls and fall-related injuries among older adults. More than one-third of adults 65 years and older fall each year and among those who fall, 20 to 30 percent suffer moderate to severe injuries that reduce mobility and independence, and increase the risk of premature death. The coalition, consisting of more than 55 organizations, represents a collaborative approach to promoting a national falls prevention action plan. Experts and stakeholders first gathered at a summit in December to produce Falls Free: Promoting a National Falls Prevention Action Plan, a national action plan. The Falls Free Coalition will work to advance solutions in the areas of public policy, communications, and advocacy. The coalition hopes to advance the national action plan among key national stakeholders and build community awareness and support for prevention activities among older adults. To learn more, read the complete press release. To download Falls Free: Promoting a National Falls Prevention Action Plan, and for additional information on falls prevention, log onto www.healthyagingprograms.org, "What's New." back to top AAHSA Applauds Introduction of Legislation to Create Interagency Council on Seniors Housing and Service Needs The American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) recently applauded the introduction of legislation proposing creation of an Interagency Council on Housing and Services Needs of Seniors. The legislation, introduced during AAHSA's Future of Aging Services Conference, calls for coordination of activities to maximize the impact of existing services, reduce and eliminate duplication in service provision and access to service, and minimize regulatory burdens and costs at the local level. The commission is modeled after the Interagency Council on the Homeless. For more information, read the complete press release. back to top The New Retirement Survey Merrill Lynch recently announced the findings of a new study, "The New Retirement Survey," that reveals how baby boomers envision their retirement and the coming decades of their lives. The survey, which builds upon conventional wisdom that boomers are not interested in pursuing a traditional retirement of leisure, found that the majority of boomers plan to keep working and earning in retirement, but will do so by cycling between periods of work and leisure, thus creating a new model of retirement. The survey also found that although 76 percent of boomers intend to keep working and earning in retirement, on average they plan to "retire" from their current job/career at around 64 and then launch into an entirely new endeavor. Additionally, as a result of living longer, this generation plans to be "younger" longer and work longer. Most boomers (65%) will stop working for pay and retire in the traditional sense at some point. However, that phase is more likely to begin in the late 60s, rather than at age 60 or 65. One size doesn't fit all. When it comes to retirement dreams and preparedness, there are five distinct and different boomer segments: the "Empowered Trailblazers," the "Wealth-Builders," the "Leisure Lifers," the "Anxious Idealists" and the "Stretched and Stressed." The survey revealed how each group is doing, their plans and ambitions for later life, their level of financial preparedness and how they intend to fund their future dreams. For more information on the survey or to read the complete press release visit totalmerrill.com/retirement. back to top Retirement Resource Websites Provide One-Stop Shops for Seniors A simple Google search for the phrase "retirement community" results in well over half a million websites - a daunting amount of information for even the most internet-savvy person. Fortunately, a number of retirement information resource sites are now available to help seniors and their families locate retirement communities by area that feature that feature the amenities they want. The Retirement Living Information Center, Inc., established to assist seniors in living out their retirement years. To that end, the organization offers a website, retirementliving.com, where visitors can find information about active adult communities and other senior living facilities by state, use a decision guide to find the best retirement destinations, compare overall tax burden in each state, investigate new retirement communities, or access a guide to state aging agencies. Visitors can also take advantage of the senior bookstore and online senior publications and find information on special products and services. SeniorResource.com, the "E-cyclopedia" of housing options and information for retirement, finance, insurance and care," offers resources for seniors, children and family members of seniors and those who market to seniors. It provides resources by category - housing choices, aging, finance, insurance, etc. - as well as information by state. At RetireNet.com, visitors can learn about different types of retirement communities, as well as search the Community Finder to access community listings for their area. The site also provides links for state tax information, state elder affairs agencies, Medicaid, and change of address information. back to top Administration on Aging to Celebrate Older Americans Month in May The Department of Health and Human Services' Administration on Aging (AoA) will be celebrating Older Americans Month in May. The 2005 Older Americans Month theme, "Celebrate Long-Term Living," was selected by the AoA to recognize and honor the valuable contributions of older persons to their communities as they age. AoA is planning several activities and events in honor of Older Americans Month, including a photo contest, national physical fitness event, and the development of a promotional kit and poster. For more information on Older Americans Month and events, visit the AoA website. back to top | 
