SmartMoney, a division of the Wall Street Journal, is reporting that baby boomers are wanting to retire to new homes that are equipped with universal design. Universal design, also referred to as aging in place, describes the concept of “designing all products and the built environment to be aesthetic and usable to the greatest extent possible by everyone, regardless of their age, ability, or status in life.”
Homebuilders told SmartMoney that baby boomers want “fewer stories, step-less front entrances and showers, and doorways wide enough to one day easily accommodate wheelchairs.” They are also reporting that new retirees are looking for accessibility in the bathroom– grab bars and step-less showers. Stephen Melman, National Association of Home Builders’ director of economic services says “We found that 89 percent of older homebuyers want to be able to live in the house for as long as physically possible. As the sandwich generation they watched their own parents and learned how their needs will change.”
Courtesy of SmartMoney
To read about what baby boomers are looking for in a new home visit blog.smartmoney.com.
