Issue link: https://nest.uberflip.com/i/843660
Cities Have Unique Aging-in-Place Advantages Suburban and rural homes may be easier to modify for aging-in-place purposes, but that doesn't automatically make them more suitable for older adults. In fact, the AARP Livability Index monitors people at the neighborhood level—to determine how well their community is positioned to meet their current and future needs based on a comprehensive range of metrics, including not only housing, but Improvements that make homes livable only for some (e.g., raised toilet seats, chair lifts, walk-in tubs) risk making them appealing to none. Improvements that make homes universally more livable (e.g., replacing lower cabinets with pull out drawers, large windows providing natural light), however, will make them appealing to everyone as we age. Surveys Highlight Top Renovation Projects Homeowners over age 55 say the bathroom is the top area in the home that they have considered modifying for aging in place; a minority have considered modifying an entrance or stairway, the kitchen, the exterior or their overall home, including the bedroom. Likewise, homeowners say the top aging-in-place projects they've considered are: installing grab bars around the tub or shower, or installing a shower seat, increasing the height of also transportation, environment and health, among others.. Thanks to their superior public transit and increased social opportunities, urban communities often receive a higher "livability" score than rural and suburban ones. Features the appeal to a wide range of folks are termed "universal design" by accessibility advocates while Industrial designers call it "user-centered design." Either way, the principle is the same: User-Centered Design