PULSE

Aging Improvements

Modernize Home Services Survey Spotlights

‘Aging-in-Place’ Demand in 2022

TYPES OF PLANNED PROJECTS

Seat within shower

11%

Stairlifts Handlebars

7% 7%

Neighborhood Livability

Walk-in tubs

17%

Nonslip flooring Widen hallways

4%

Door ramp

7%

Other/the rest

Includes windows, roofing, bathroom expansion, additional entrance, walk-in shower or new flooring

Medical alerts

25% 12% 8%

MODERNIZE HOME SERVICES released new findings from its survey on homeowners’ plans to invest in “aging-in-place” improvements. More than 2,000 homeowners actively seeking contractors through Modernize participated in the study at the end of 2021. Survey insights and new videos are available in the “Big Opportunities Await in the Aging in Place Industry” report. A majority of homeowners, across trades, plan to explore aging-in-place projects for themselves, or for someone they love, in the coming year. About 63% of respondents report they will explore these home improvement projects for themselves within the next 12 months and 6% plan to do so for a loved one. These results show an opportunity for contractors to increase aging-in-place projects. Home improvement professionals can learn more at modpros.modernize.com/aginginplace

AARP’s Public Policy Institute launched the updated AARP Livability Index, a web-based tool that scores every neighborhood and community in the U.S. based on the services and amenities that affect people’s lives the most as they age. Livability is ranked on a scale of 0 to 100. For the first time, the index includes accessory dwelling units as a “housing accessibility” factor, highlighting states that have enacted laws to support and promote ADUs (also known as in-law suites or guest houses). Only nine states and the District of Columbia have passed statewide ADU legislation. Learn more at aarp.org/livabilityindex.

TOP RANKED OVERALL LIVABILITY SCORES

Large Cities: San Francisco, California 65

Mid-Sized Cities: Alexandria, Virginia 67

Small Cities: St. Louis Park, Minnesota 66

Small Towns: Aspen, Colorado 72

Home Repair Nonprofit Rebrands as Coalition for Home Repair

ReFrame Association has rebranded as the Coalition for Home Repair. This marks a new chapter for this agency that has grown rapidly since its formation a decade ago as a way to advocate and share best practices in the effort to create safer, healthier homes across the country.

Coalition members repaired approximately 38,000 homes for 89,000 low-income people in 38 states in the last five years. With the help of 306,000 volunteers serving 7.8 million hours through the 85 member organizations, more than 71,000 projects were completed such as accessibility modifications, roof repairs, weatherization, room additions, plumbing and electrical repairs.

Report Finds AI, Predictive Analytics in Healthcare

Enable Safer Aging

While the smart home is focused primarily on security, automation and energy-reduction uses, healthcare, and especially elder care, is expected to become an important use case as the number of older adults increases in developed markets, such as the U.S. Sensors in a smart home generate a lot of data, which several companies, mostly startups, are using to train AI to identify when a resident is in danger of falling. According to a new report from Guidehouse Insights, AI and predictive analytics in elder care and healthcare will enable safer aging in place.

The report recommends that passive monitoring technology also address privacy concerns. In addition, home robotics manufacturers should integrate passive monitoring in their technologies and utilities and insurers should partner with startups to provide passive monitoring through energy usage. Visit guidehouseinsights.com

Lowe’s has launched a multi-year commitment to become a retail destination for aging-inplace and life-change solutions through Lowe’s Livable Home. The retailer, through collaboration with AARP, will provide expertise, services and affordable products, offering a one-stop destination for universal design options. Lowes.com/LivableHome will take visitors to a virtual library of articles and videos that will be updated regularly. AARP will help create educational online content on the site focusing on taking age-friendly design action. AARP will also assist in training Lowe’s associates, accompanied by signage in select stores nationwide. The in-store enhancements are underway in nearly 500 stores and nearly 50 metro areas and are expected to continue expanding throughout 2022. Lowe’s and AARP will also co-develop a “Livable Home” in-store resource guide with information, tools and resources for customers.

Webinar Breaks Down Home Remodel for Client with Catastrophic Brain Injury

During the recent National Association of Home Builders’ webinar titled, “Addressing Multi-Faceted Needs in AIP & UD Renovations,” presenters shared how they worked together to remodel a home that needed to accommodate not only a client who suffered a catastrophic brain injury, but his family and care team, as well.

One of the most noteworthy additions to the home was a therapeutic sensory room to help the client with episodes of irritability and other cognitive disruptions. Key features include specially coordinated LED lights installed throughout, as well as myriad sound-reduction elements to minimize outside noise. The webinar recording is available for free to NAHB council members and CAPS designees. Visit nahb.org