Several studies have shown that most people want to age in place. Fifty-five percent of baby boomers have no plans to move says a Leaf Home and Morning Consult report, “2024 Generational Divides in Homeownership Report.” 

The top reasons for baby boomers staying put include: 

• No need to move (79%) 
• Close to family (friends and clubs, etc.) 34% 
• Too expensive to move (33%) 
• Low crime (25%) 
• Weather or climate (18%) 
• Interest rates (12%) 

The challenge they face is 68% of boomers live in homes over 30 years old, and many have done no renovations, nor intend to, says the report. 

For example, among those in their home for more than 25 years, 85% have no plans to add safety or accessibility features, 83% say they are not planning to replace the furnace or air conditioner, 80% won’t replace roofing or siding, and most are not upgrading large appliances. They are essentially living in time capsules. That is a problem for them and future generations. “The housing market is caught in a generational tug-ofwar,” says Jon Bostock, Leaf Home’s CEO. 

For the residents, the homes are missing critical safety and accessibility features, and future buyers will be burdened with renovating these dated properties. “With an aging and ignored inventory of homes available in the next decade, we may see a crisis that will overwhelm the home improvement industry and strain the budgets of inheriting millennials, (or opportunity for affordability and sweat equity) impacting the housing market,” he adds. 

Design For Future Needs 

The 2024 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study emphasizes the importance of designing with longevity in mind and accommodating aging household members’ future and current needs. More than half anticipate special needs arising within the next five years. 

Among renovating homeowners, special needs in the kitchen were the reason to renovate, as was addressing future needs. More than a quarter expect a future need to arise in the next 12 months, and 5over half anticipate a need in the next five-plus years. 

Those renovating for aging purposes looked to universal design elements to introduce safety and functionality. Other common changes to accommodate aging in place were to install nonslip floors and remove trip hazard throw rugs, pullout cabinets, wider door pulls, extra lighting, rounded countertops, wheelchair accessible doorways and pathways, lower fixtures and countertops. 

Most homeowners prefer to replace all appliances during renovation choosing those with high-tech capabilities such as appliances with Wi-Fi connectivity, and models controlled by smartphone or tablet. (Yes, seniors today are embracing technology.) 

These can enhance seniors’ quality of life, allow remote control and monitoring so they can manage appliances remotely or from another room. Certain refrigerators include features such as food expiration monitoring and automatic grocery list creation, streamline to-do lists. Newer appliances are more energy efficient, environmentally friendly, and reduce utility bills.