Issue link: https://nest.uberflip.com/i/843660
Aging in Place Is About Livability Making homes safe and accessible for seniors is an important and primary objective of aging- in-place projects. Thriving in place, however, is about much more than adding grab bars and wheelchair ramps. In fact, many popular aging-in- place improvements—wider doorways, open floor plans, zero-step entrances, remote-controlled window coverings and motion-sensor lights, just to name a few— can enhance the quality of life in a home even as they make the home safer. Such improvements are often "invisible" and can be just as beneficial to a homeowner in his thirties or forties as they are to a homeowner in her seventies or eighties. Smart Home Technology Is More Than Just A Convenience Although a majority of homeowners over age 55 (67 percent) think it could be helpful as they age, just 19 percent say they have considered installing smart- home technology for that reason. This is likely because homeowners still think of technology as a luxury convenience rather than a practical necessity. In fact, homeowners who haven't considered smart-home technology to assist them with aging in place cite as their most common reasons that they don't need/ are not interested in such technology, that it's too expensive to purchase and that it's too expensive to install. The reality is the smart home technology supports independence. For example, Internet- connected thermostats, appliances and lighting—is a new frontier that holds significant promise for helping Americans age in place comfortably and safely while also adding significantly to their home's present livability. Consider, a connected refrigerator that automatically detects when groceries run low and orders new ones when needed; the same appliance that creates convenience for a young family can ensure nourishment for a homebound senior. Older homeowners' reluctance to adopt smart-home technology for aging in place is not surprising. Older adults are less likely than younger adults to be familiar with technology in general, and smart-home technology in particular is still coming into existence—and, therefore, still expensive. Over time, however, the so-called "digital divide" will close and prices will fall. That, along with a new conversation about thriving instead of aging in place, will lead to increased adoption of smart-home technology for livability instead of luxury. Reasons for Not Completing Aging- Related Renovations 4 in 10 homeowners say they don't have any physical disabilities 2 in 10 homeowners don't consider themselves old enough