September 21, 2006
Housing &
Aging in Place
The information below underscores the interest older adults have in receiving information that will allow them to age in place. It may be useful to you as you plan programming for your organization.
89% - of people 55+ would like to stay in their homes for as long as possible.
52% - of Americans age 45 and over express interest in receiving information about staying in their own homes as they get older.
32% - are interested in receiving information about avoiding home repair or home modification fraud.
28% - are interested in information about types of home modification.
51% - have heard of reverse mortgages, but only 1% has one.
27% - of those surveyed had refinanced or taken out a mortgage in the last 10 years. 35% of these used the money for home maintenance or repairs; 25% used the money for home modifications.
2/3 - of those surveyed age 45 and over strongly support or somewhat support their states passing legislation requiring that more homes be built with features that will allow people to remain in their own homes as they age.
Source: AARP report, Fixing to Stay, 2000 |
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Modifications and in-home services
allow more to age in place
The majority of older adults perceive their homes as one of their most prized possessions. It provides the owner with a sense of security, privacy, comfort, and independence and also facilitates social interaction with family and friends.
Ongoing research by Susanne Iwarsson in the area of environmental gerontology stresses that the home environment is central to healthy aging and well-being in old age. A person must have the physical, psychological, cognitive and social skills to function in the type of housing (with or without services) in which they reside. If the home becomes too costly to maintain or the older adult is physically unable to maintain it or navigate in it, the demands of the environment may be too stressful.
Fixing to Stay, a 2000 AARP study, reported that 82% of the respondents to the survey would prefer not to move from their current homes, even if they need help caring for themselves. Only nine percent would prefer to move to a facility where care is provided. As baby boomers continue to age, this has significant implications for the demand for in-home services.
Fixing to Stay found that three in 10 respondents say that, as they get older, they are very or somewhat concerned abou having a home that friends or family who have disabilities can get around in; being forced to move to a nursing home because of trouble getting around their home; being able to afford home modifications that will enable them to remain at home; and having problems using features in their houses, such as stairs and bathtubs
The most prevalent problems in getting around their homes were climbing up and down stairs and mobility issues that involved knees, hips, and legs. Part of the solution is home modifications. Older adults who are aging in place may need to modify their homes' structure to accommodate their physical limitations. Modifications in lighting, accessibility, mobility, and bathing facilities improve functioning and safety.
Many homeowners have not modified their homes because they cannot do it themselves and can not afford it. Of those who can make changes, seven in 10 reported they had made at least one modification. The most frequent changes were installing light switches in stairwells and adding handrails or grab bars in either the bathroom or on both sides of stairs. One modification that is gaining popularity is the addition of first floor bedrooms and bathrooms.
Last spring, CAPS specialist and award-winning designer Mary Jo Peterson presented home modification and universal design ideas at an event hosted by the University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community. You can review Peterson's outline and list of home modifications resources on the CAC website.
As a growing number of older adults choose to age in place, fueling the demand for home modifications, Indiana, and other states, will see an increased need to educate consumers about selecting a quality contractor and to provide oversight for the quality of work provided. |
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Question of the Month
What is the #1 question you receive from older adults and their families regarding housing issues?
If you would like to respond to this question, send your comments to Amy Magan. A sample of responses will be shared in next month's IANA e-news.
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CAC continues IN Place series
The University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community will host two events on Tuesday, October 17 as part of its ongoing "IN Place" speaker series designed to address issues relevant to aging in place. There is no cost to attend either event. To reserve your place, please contact Lidia Dubicki
via e-mail or at (317) 791-5930 by Wednesday, October 11. Be sure to tell her which event you wish to attend.
Healthy Aging:
Encouraging Physical Activity for Older Adults
Tuesday, October 17, 2006 ~ 8:00am- 10:30am
University of Indianapolis, Good Hall Recital Hall
Roseann Lyle, Ph.D., a member of the steering committee of the National Active Aging Partnership, will discuss the Partnership's National Blueprint: Increasing Physical Activity for Adults Age 50 and Older, update attendees on current iniatives and define how you can participate in the effort. In addition, she will address Tippecanoe County's "Living Well After 50" coalition, established to build trails and enhance and develop opportunities for physical activity for older adults.
For directions to the University of Indianapolis, please click here. Due to Fall Break, parking is readily available.
Marketing to Older Adults:
National Data to Benefit Local Programs
Tuesday, October 17, 2006 1:30-3:00pm
Area IV Agency on Aging
660 N. 36th St. Lafayette, IN
Jenny Olszewski, Marketing Director from WLFI-TV Channel 18 in Lafayette, will share valuable data collected through national research regarding lifestyle indicators for older adults. She will also discuss how these indicators impact marketing geared to this age group.
This event is presented in partnership with the Area IV Agency on Aging.
Celebrations
Home Services Unlimited, Inc. - will celebrate 10 years of service in home health care with a dinner at the Ritz Charles in Indianapolis on Saturday, November 11 at 6:00pm. To join the celebration, RSVP to Jeannie Vega at (317) 471-0766 by September 30.
National Gerontological Nurses Week - is October 1-8, 2006. For ideas about how you can celebrate, visit www.ngna.org. |
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Upcoming conferences
AROHE: "Building on Experience for an Innovative Future" - The Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education (AROHE) will hold its biennial conference in Tempe, Arizona from October 13-15.
The conference is open to anyone from institutions of higher education that either already have a retiree organization or are interested in forming one. The conference, to be held on the campus of Arizona State University, includes a dynamic array of speakers and topics of interest to campus-based retiree organizations. Information about the conference program, registration, and hotel accommodations is available at http://www.arohe.org
. To learn more about AROHE, contact University of Indianapolis adjunct professor Linda Pearson, Ph.D.
Gerontological Society of America's 59th Annual Scientific Meeting - Education and the Gerontological Imagination is the theme for GSA's annual meeting, which will take place November 16-20, 2006 in Dallas, Texas. Visit the GSA website for more information.
Active Aging 2006 - There is still time to register for Active Aging 2006, sponsored by the International Council on Active Aging. The conference will take place November 15-17 in Las Vegas. By attending Active Aging 2006, you can gain the knowledge and insight you need to; identify active aging opportunities, plan and manage the process of transition, market your products and services, offer programs that meet the needs of older adults and address their challenges, and increase participation levels. This conference is intended for a
nyone who owns or is employed by an organization that serves the health and wellness needs of the older adult. This includes presidents and CEOs; wellness, fitness and activity directors; sales and marketing personnel; program directors; exercise physiologists and physicians; operational personnel; group fitness instructors and personal trainers. For more information, vist the ICAA website at http://icaa.cc/convention.htm or e-mail
colinmilner@icaa.cc. |
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Grants information
Preparing Successful Proposals - The IU Fundraising School is offering this two-day seminar October 16-17 in Indianapolis. The purpose of the seminar is to turn proposal writers into grant winners. Participants can earn 1.3 CEU credits. For more information, visit the
IU Fundraising School website. |
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The resource file
Internet marketing for senior services on the rise - Contrary to popular belief that older adults don't use the internet, internet marketing for senior services is gaining popularity. For more information on this subject, check out the article
"Internet Is a Productive Supplement to Traditional Marketing Channels" at TheMatureMarket.com.
Fashion Week booms - Also found on TheMatureMarket.com, Baby Boomer women are changing the face of fashion and advertising. Companies like Loreal and retailer H&M are tapping older spokespeople, including Diane Keaton (age 60) and Madonna (age 47). Read more about it in "Boomer Women Steal Spotlight During Fashion Week."
Accessing either of these articles will require that you register as a user on TheMatureMarket.com. Registration is free. |
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Have news to share?
If you have an idea or suggestion for the IANA e-news, or if your organization has an announcement you would like published, please contact Amy Magan at amagan@uindy.edu or (317) 791-5933. Announcements should be no more than 200 words and should be applicable to aging service providers. All submissions are subject to editing for length and clarity.
The IANA e-news is published monthly by the University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community. |
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University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community
901 S. Shelby Street Indianapolis, IN 46203
(317) 791-5930 PHONE (317) 791-5945 FAX http://cac.uindy.edu
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