White House Conference to Look at Aging in Place
Sponsored by NAHB, last week’s Partnerships for Aging in Place conference held by the National Home Modification Action Coalition (NHMAC) considered recommendations that will come before the White House Conference on Aging in December and pointed to rising demand for aging-in-place remodeling and universal design in new building projects. Held once every decade to consider all aspects of aging, this year’s White House Conference will take a look at maximizing aging-in-place opportunities for the nation’s 78 million baby boomers. In 2001, NAHB and AARP created the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) designation to begin addressing this issue. A variety of organizations such as NHMAC have been working to build community infrastructure to facilitate aging in place. NHMAC was created specifically to increase home modifications and accessible housing for independent living, including consideration of transportation, long-term health care and building codes. Universal design has advanced far beyond its institutional beginnings, to the point that many home owners don’t even recognize adaptable features, Andy Kochera, a senior policy analyst at AARP, told the conference on aging in place. He said that his association estimates that upwards of 90% of the nation’s baby boomers want to age in place. For more information, e-mail Jim Lapides at NAHB, or call him at 800-368-5242 X8451. | 
