91视频

A growing number of older Americans are modifying their homes instead of moving into retirement communities or assisted-living quarters, according to the National Aging in Place Council. And some local builders are looking to accommodate that mounting building niche.

Portland-based recently hired an aging in place specialist, Stacey Foisy, as part of the launch of its new Universal Design Services, which features home safety assessments and aging-in-place retrofits. Its launch coincides with National Aging in Place week, which begins today.

鈥淎s baby boomers are getting older, the demographic shift is leading to a natural uptick in interest in this sort of thing,鈥� said Zack Semke, director of business development at Hammer and Hand. 鈥淏arrier-free retrofits make it possible to live in houses and be independent, safe, and happy and really have a different experience than if you’re forced to sell your house.鈥�

Examples of universal design retrofit measures include step-less entries, wider doors, lowered surfaces and open floor plans.

鈥淎ging-in-place may conjure images of institutional style changes to a house, but that’s not necessarily the case,鈥� Semke said. 鈥淭he modifications are consistent with our ethos around fine design too.鈥�