When building a new home, there is comfort in knowing that your investment will be a part of your life for decades. The team at Triple A Homes agrees and encourages clients to include options that match not only today’s home dreams, but also with consideration to future needs. “Aging-in-Place” is a design style that recognizes the evolving needs of homeowners as they reach new life stages. Aging-in-Place design offers options that reduce the risk of falling, support changing mobility, and allow homeowners to stay in their beloved homes longer than they may have been able to in years past. 

What is Aging in Place?

As the population continues to skew older, homeowners are seeking ways to continue living safely in their homes in lieu of moving to assisted living communities. Builders are recognizing the need to add custom features to new builds that keep that in mind. By creating floor plans with flexibility for aging homeowners, buyers gain a home for today and tomorrow. Homes that check all of the current boxes can also be ideal as homeowners age. To most, homes built for Aging-in-Place look much like a traditional home, but there are tweaks that will have benefits for decades. 

Aging-in-Place: From Footers to Function

 While single-story living is ideal for an aging population, it is not always possible to build a dream home without more than one floor. Triple A Homes designs with future function in mind by ensuring that all the essentials are available on the main level. This includes a gorgeous owner’s suite with a spa-like bathroom, laundry, a gourmet kitchen, and multi-use living spaces. Additional floors can then be reserved for guest spaces, hobby areas, or storage. Buyers also have the option of including a pre-dedicated elevator footprint for seamless retrofitting down the road. 

When designing a new construction home with a focus on Aging-in-Place, the team at Triple A Homes focuses on details inside and out by offering several smart options for those prioritizing a long life in the home they love.

Inside:

• Open-concept layouts allow for flexible placement of furniture or mobility equipment.
• Rooms can be built with clear lines of travel suitable for accommodating a wheelchair or walker. 
• Hallways can be extended to 48 inches wide and designed to be free of tight turns.
• In the kitchen, base cabinets may include full-extension drawers, eliminating the need for deep bends to dig out pots or pans. Countertop heights can be varied, allowing convenient access to seated users. By shortening the space between the sink, stove, and refrigerator, steps are minimized. 
• In the bathrooms, installing decorative grab bars creates a must-have safety feature that looks beautiful rather than clinical. Zero-entry showers offer a curbless entry, and placing shower controls accessible at their entry reduces burns or falls while reaching. Lowered toilets and touchless faucets are great options with a nod toward future mobility challenges. 
• In the Owner’s Suite, walk-in closets have wider entries and can include pull-down hanging rods for access from a seated position. Adding dim, motion-activated lighting along baseboards provides subtle guidance at night. Placing the owner’s suite adjacent to the washer/dryer area reduces steps on laundry day. 

Outside:

• By tweaking exterior approaches to a new-construction home, ease of accessibility increases. Request a gentle rise, from the driveway to the door, rather than a challenging slope or stairs. This can mean adding a meandering, cement walkway that feels more like a garden stroll than an accessibility feature. 
• Installing motion-activated sensor lights provides enhanced safety when arriving home and reduces the need to fumble for switches in the dark. 
• Smart security allows homeowners to access electronic locks, video doorbells, and lighting from an app rather than creating a need to rush to the door when guests or deliveries arrive.

In-Between:

• Creating oversized entryways allows ample space for multiple people to maneuver. This is ideal for those using a walker, a wheelchair, or requiring a partner to help them into the house.
• Deep, covered porches are perfect for providing protection from the elements, and a strategically placed bench will offer a place to rest, if needed. 
• Installing flush transitions from room to room, porches or patios, and garages reduces the need for tired legs to navigate steps up or down. 

Small, Smart Touches:

• Lever Handles: From doors to faucets, lever handles are much easier on arthritic wrists. Likewise, oversized cabinet pulls allow full-hand grips instead of awkward pinches.
• Maintenance-light materials: Quartz countertops, stain-resistant grout, and composite decking minimize the need for scrubbing. 
• Plenty of Daylight: Large windows support circadian rhythms and mental health. Installing low-sill windows allows seated sightlines. 

Invisible Helpers:

• In multi-story homes, including a stacked storage closet on each floor, creates the perfect spot for a future elevator installation. And, by including this in the initial design plan, space will not be lost should mobility needs change down the road.
• By placing outlets at 18-inches and light switches at 42-inches, senior homeowners can easily reach them from multiple positions. 
• A whole-house generator and/or solar panels are terrific for the environment but have an added, critical benefit. Medical devices common for seniors often require power, and these design features will ensure use even during power outages. 
• Including a flex-room that includes an adjacent full bath creates an additional guest room that can also be used for a nurse or aide should live-in help become necessary.

Why are so many shifting to an Aging-in-Place design style? As the population continues to age, many are looking to their future and making decisions today on how they will want to live. Financially, remaining in-home is typically more appealing than moving to assisted living, but the peace of mind is an even greater value. The design team at Triple A Homes understands the importance of creating a floor plan that will work for those with long-term living in mind. By weaving subtle features into your custom-built home, Aging-in-Place becomes almost effortless. 

Reach out to Triple A Homes today and start building your dream home for tomorrow!