Many older Americans prefer to stay in their current homes and age in place rather than downsize or relocate to group living facilities. This cohort is a major driver of growth in remodeling projects involving home modifications to help the owner live safely in their home over time. According to the Sioux City Journal, a recent survey of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Remodelers found that the desire to age in place is quickly becoming one of the most popular reasons for requesting home remodeling projects.
When asked about the frequency of customers calling to request aging-in-place home modifications, more than half (52%) of the remodelers said those calls occur “often” or “very often.” That portion has grown significantly in recent years — up from 32% in 2012.
While the “desire for better/newer amenities” and the “need to repair/replace old components” still lead the list of reasons to remodel, the increased intrigue for aging-in-place projects is notable, said NAHB economist Paul Emrath. However, “the uptick is not entirely surprising, given the ongoing growth in the nation’s older population,” he said.
According to the remodelers who were surveyed, some of the aging-in-place remodeling projects that have increased in popularity the most in recent years include:
- Grab bars in showers and near toilets
- Curb-less entry showers
- Widened hallways and doorways
- Additional lighting to interior and exterior areas
