Homebuilders and renovation specialists are saying hello to the so-called “silver wave” – a generation of baby boomers entering retirement and shaking up the workforce, economy, and housing industry simultaneously.
And they’ve heard loud and clear from this demographic: Aging-in-place is their top priority.
Seventy-five percent of American adults aged 50 and older say they wish to stay in their current homes as they age, with another 73 percent hoping to reside in their communities, too, according to December 2024 data from the AARP. These statistics hold true over the years: 2022 data found that 88 percent of those aged 50 to 80 wanted to remain in their homes “for as long as possible.”
Eighty percent of seniors are homeowners – they’re confident in their retirement planning, not interested in selling their homes for retirement income, and are aiming to stay away from nursing homes and assisted living facilities, according to 2024 Fannie Mae research.
Here’s how builders and renovation experts are adapting to the aging-in-place revolution and reshaping how homes are built and remodeled across the country.
1. Prioritizing Main Level Living
The “master on the main” floorplan is gaining traction – and for good reason. It is the prime feature seniors insist on when ironing out their aging-in-place plans.
According to the University of Michigan’s National Poll on Healthy Aging, the most common accessibility features for seniors are a main-floor bedroom and bathroom. This preference isn’t about comfort or convenience; it’s about how elderly homeowners can maintain their independence.
This keeps them free from stairs, which can become difficult and even dangerous due to arthritis, balance issues, or other physical limitations. With the primary bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, laundry, and living spaces all on the main floor, older adults can navigate their homes easily – with a far lower risk of falls.
2. Adopting Universal Design Principles for the Elderly
From built-in ramps to wider doorways, builders are also getting into the nitty-gritty details to accommodate elderly needs.
Across the board, builders are implementing standard home modifications including:
Entryway enhancements, such as no-step or ramp access into the home
Lever-style door handles instead of doorknobs
Door frames and hallways wide enough for wheelchair accessibility
Lowered light switching and raised electrical outlets
If stairs between floors are necessary, builders are adding both stairlifts and stackable closets that can be retrofitted for an in-home elevator later.
Kitchens and laundry rooms have front-load washers and dryers that are easy to use, and countertops at varying levels to provide seniors with the option to sit or stand when cooking.
These are subtle tweaks, too – they don’t scream “elderly home,” but are worked in as discreet, functional adjustments for all residents.
3. Shaping Safe, Accessible Bathrooms
The bathroom is another crucial area on the main floor that’s been ripe for aging-in-place innovation. When older adults were polled about features already incorporated into their home to help with accessibility, 36 percent pointed to shower chairs or benches, 36 percent had raised-height toilet seats, 32 percent had grab bars, and seven percent already had barrier-free showers for easy entry.
These adjustments have become so commonplace, brands such as Moen and Koehler have created high-end finishes and profiles to ensure they match a home’s aesthetic and don’t look clinical. Homeowners can choose from marble tile, rainfall showerheads, and mood lighting to give their bathrooms an elevated feel.
And then there are small modifications to improve accessibility in the bathroom, including toilet paper holders and soap dishes at the right height, handheld showers to extend the shower’s functionality, standing showers separate from the tub with low or no lip to step over, and an open floorplan for seamless movement.
4. Smart Home Technology for Safety, Security – and Comfort
The latest smart home technology makes homes much more convenient, comfortable, and safe for families – and the benefits are much more fruitful for seniors.
Nowadays, homeowners have voice-activated lighting, app-controlled thermostats, and devices all in sync throughout the home. You can listen to the news, heat the home before bedtime, and turn off the lights without ever needing to leave your bed.
About half of American seniors report having at least one smart home device, with the most common technologies being voice-controlled assistive devices like an Amazon Alexa or Google Home, followed by smart thermostats, and doorbell cameras.
Conversely, fewer than 10 percent of seniors reported having devices specifically designed for safety, such as smart stove alarms, bath temperature monitors, water leak detectors, and smart medication pillboxes. That may change as smart home devices become more seamlessly integrated into our lives.
Then, there are the barriers communities are overcoming: elderly homeowners will need round-the-clock internet access for medical alert systems. Affordability and connectivity in rural areas are still being addressed, according to seniors advocacy groups.
5. Embedded in the Community
Whether you’re raising a newborn baby or helping your parents ease into their golden years, it takes a village. For older adults, safety and accessibility extend beyond the four walls of their homes and into their neighborhoods.
Community accessibility is also front-of-mind for builders designing neighborhoods as they consider the importance of physical exercise and social well-being for elderly residents.
Researchers suggest that older adults are 18 percent more likely to stay mobile when their community environment is accessible – with access to pharmacies, senior centers, and other support services. This is also essential to combatting the social isolation that elderly Americans often report.
It’s worth noting, too, that the most-used form of transportation among American seniors is private vehicle, but as they lose the ability to drive, other forms of transportation come into play: walking, public transportation, ridesharing and paratransit services. Ideally, seniors are embedded into the neighborhood with a variety of ways to get around the community – and with easy ways for elder care workers to travel to them.
6. Flexible, Multi-Purpose Spaces
Alongside aging-in-place is a rise in multi-generational homes, with families sharing living spaces amongst children, parents, and grandparents.
Builders are designing flex rooms that can morph with a homeowner’s needs: a guest room today, a caregiver suite tomorrow. Detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs), also known as in-law suites or “granny flats,” are also gaining popularity, especially in states like California where zoning laws have eased.
Overall, builders and contractors are formally upskilling in aging in place principles. The National Association of Home Builders, for example, offers the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) designation, equipping them with the knowledge to design and renovate homes for aging adults safely and stylishly.
They are aware the revolution isn’t a passing trend but a cultural shift multiple industries are understanding and adapting to.
