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Throughout
their lives, baby boomers have viewed the world and lived their lives
differently than other generations. So it’s not surprising that as
they reach middle age, their dream retirement home also differs from
that of their predecessors.
Many boomers aren’t planning to downscale after they retire, or at least
not to the extent that their parents and grandparents did. Today’s middle
aged population is accustomed to larger homes. According to the National
Association of Home Builders, the average size of new American homes
has doubled in the last half century (from 983 square feet in 1950 to
2,225 square feet in 1999).
That’s not to say boomers aren’t planning for the future in practical
ways. Linda Reimer, president of Design Basics, one of the largest home
plan design companies in the country, explains: “As boomers in their
40s and 50s are becoming empty nesters, more and more of them are choosing
flexible homes that will allow them to age in place.” Reimer lists some
of the amenities these buyers are looking for:
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The Kidman
Design 6743-33A-01
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1.
In general, this group wants houses that will meet their needs
if their mobility becomes impaired as they age, but they don’t
want special accommodations to be obvious. Open floor plans, wider
hallways and 30-inch (minimum) doorways make homes appealing without
giving them an “old folks” look. This can be accomplished in smaller
homes by creating fewer, larger rooms.
2. In the same way, oversized windows make a home bright
and airy, while providing the extra light that may be
necessary as visual acuity decreases.
Task lighting should also be added in work areas in the kitchen and garage.
3. As boomers look forward to having more time for extended family gatherings
and entertaining friends, adequate dining space is especially important.
Given the choice between a formal living or dining room, most will choose
the dining room.
4. They appreciate having at least one room situated so that it can be
used for different purposes as their needs change, such as a room that
could be used as a den, living room or a guest room.
5. In the past, the standard retirement home was a 1-story. Today, many
buyers are also choosing 1 ˝ story homes because they are more economical
and still provide a main floor master suite, plus extra upstairs bedrooms
for visits from grown children.
6. The master bedroom should be large enough to accommodate a wheelchair
after furniture is in place. The master bath should also have ample clearance,
plus a walk-in shower, preferably with a built-in seat. Special supports
should be added behind walls during construction where grab bars might
be installed should the need arise. Lever spigots are easier to use than
knobs at any age, but especially helpful for hands weakened by arthritis.
Slip-resistant flooring is also important.
7. Kitchens should have room for a wheelchair to move around freely.
Side-by-side refrigerator/freezers and side-swing or wall ovens are easier
for someone in a wheelchair to use. Microwaves should be at counter height
or in a wall. Cabinet heights and provisions such as pull-down shelving
can be adjusted and added as the need arises.
8. The laundry room should also be on the main floor. A folding counter
and window will make laundry tasks easier and more pleasant. Home buyers
looking ahead may want to select front-loading washers and dryers and
consider having them raised 12 to 15 inches off the floor.
9. At least one outside entrance should have a zero clearance. Commonly,
the entrance from the garage accomplishes this, providing convenience
to people of any age bringing groceries in from the car. A rear porch
(with no steps) is another popular feature for folks who have time to
stop and smell the roses.
10. Steps leading to a second floor or the basement should be four feet
wide, in a straight run, to ease installation of a chair lift. Or, closets
should be stacked on both floors to allow for an elevator in the future.
11. Garages should be at least 22 feet wide (for a double garage) with
an adequate access aisle around vehicles.
“If baby boomers do some extra planning when they build a home,” Reimer concludes, “they
can eliminate the need to move or renovate their home in ten or fifteen years.
Incorporating these extra features during construction is much easier and less
expensive than after the home has been built. And with 85 million aging baby
boomers, this is an excellent way to improve a home’s resale value.”
See age-in-place home designs by going to www.designbasics.com and then
highlighting the universal feature.
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