Ageing in Place

“Ageing in Place”- means to stay in one’s current home as opposed to relocating to a new home or facility such as a retirement home, senior community, or care facility.

Despite a number of problems people may have to face, it is still the trend for people to stay in the house they are currently living in or “Age in Place”.

This is a great opportunity for Interior Designers to be able to show how important interior design is by helping those who choose to remain in their current house. It is a win, win situation. Those who need help are receiving that help from the designers and the designers will be seen as significant figures to those who may have thought otherwise.

Between now and 2019, the 75 million baby boomers will turn 55, an age at which they are likely caring for an elderly relative and/or seriously planning for their retirement.

At 2025, baby boomers will comprise about 25 percent of the population, ranging in age from 61 to 79. – ASID “Ageing in Place”

Basically, all of these numbers mean that the need for universal design will become more necessary in homes because the number of those gradually reaching the elderly stage will become higher and studies show the majority of them plan on staying in their home. The large number of people will need their homes to be designed to fit either their needs or the needs of one of their relatives.

Personally, I would like to plan now for the future. If one of my parents or grandparents become ill or needed special care or even just came to visit, I would want my house to be able to accommodate for them without them feeling like they are imposing. And, one day, I will also be an elderly woman so planning now for my future needs is also important.

Although these things may be very far into the future, I do not recall anyone ever telling me that planning ahead was a bad decision. That is because IT NEVER IS!   

ASID "Ageing in Place Study" results:

Will people stay in their homes as they age?

Why would they stay?

Design and layout factors influencing the decision to stay:

Why they will not stay?

Ageing concerns:

 
Ways to make a home age friendly:

The likeliness of a parent or elderly relative living with you in the future:

Ageing in Place is an opportunity for those who wish to continue to live in their current house to stay their but have Interior Designers make or suggest the necessary changes that would make them feel even more comfortable as they grow older.

Enjoying the comfort of one's home seems like the ideal way to live life!


References provided by:
ASID "Ageing in Place"
Ageing and the Impact of Interior Design