Thanks all for this discussion. We're working with my parents (in their early 70's) on getting them into a better place. Having more builders planning more homes with even a fraction of these considerations will be critical and make those homes much more attractive to older buyers who are looking at a very limited housing stock with qualities that fit these types of needs. To Steve's point that younger people should also think about this: I broke my foot last year, and I got lucky that we were on a first floor rental with no stairs to enter or leave in our building. The kitchen, our bedroom, a bathroom, and my office where I worked from home were on that level as well -- all dumb luck. It made a world of difference to be able to live my life without the need to access the other half of the apartment on any regular basis. To Jake's points on bedroom and bathroom being critical, I would suggest also including a location other than the bedroom that should be reasonable for meals. While a person may not be making their own food if they have help or can afford to order in most meals, they will need a proper place to eat, and it should not be their bedroom. When older folks stop physically moving in a meaningful way for meals, their condition will degrade quickly and will be immensely difficult to recover from, even if what made them less mobile is something that was supposedly temporary.
I'd go to a high end retirement home and copy what they do for hallways, door sizes, bathrooms, entry, elevators, everything. To do it right I think you probably need some sort of multi generational living as well, otherwise the elderly folk will eventually be forced to leave.
Thanks all for this discussion. We're working with my parents (in their early 70's) on getting them into a better place. Having more builders planning more homes with even a fraction of these considerations will be critical and make those homes much more attractive to older buyers who are looking at a very limited housing stock with qualities that fit these types of needs.
To Steve's point that younger people should also think about this: I broke my foot last year, and I got lucky that we were on a first floor rental with no stairs to enter or leave in our building. The kitchen, our bedroom, a bathroom, and my office where I worked from home were on that level as well -- all dumb luck. It made a world of difference to be able to live my life without the need to access the other half of the apartment on any regular basis.
To Jake's points on bedroom and bathroom being critical, I would suggest also including a location other than the bedroom that should be reasonable for meals. While a person may not be making their own food if they have help or can afford to order in most meals, they will need a proper place to eat, and it should not be their bedroom. When older folks stop physically moving in a meaningful way for meals, their condition will degrade quickly and will be immensely difficult to recover from, even if what made them less mobile is something that was supposedly temporary.
this podcast is sponsored by Lifealert. Not only is Peter the President, he's also a client.
I'd go to a high end retirement home and copy what they do for hallways, door sizes, bathrooms, entry, elevators, everything. To do it right I think you probably need some sort of multi generational living as well, otherwise the elderly folk will eventually be forced to leave.