THE CHALLENGE
Today, the vast majority of older Americans are choosing to live out their retirement years in their homes, rather than in institutional care facilities such as continuing care retirement communities and nursing homes. In fact, a recent survey conducted by the American Association of Retired Persons revealed that 90% of seniors over 60 now choose this option. Unfortunately, less than 1% of the US housing stock is currently equipped to accommodate the special needs of seniors electing to age in their homes (commonly referred to as “aging in place”) and only a small fraction of renovation contractors are trained to make the necessary home modifications to enable them to do so.
As more than 75 million baby boomers move into their retirement years, an average of 10,000 Americans turn 65 each day - making seniors the fastest growing segment of the US population. This rapid increase in their numbers and the ill-equipped housing stock is driving a growing nationwide demand for home renovations to facilitate aging in place. Most of these renovations will entail physical modifications to improve a senior's access to kitchen features and bathroom facilities and to enable the use of wheelchairs, walkers, and other assistive devices. Most of these renovations will not entail the installation of smart home devices that could allow seniors to:
As more than 75 million baby boomers move into their retirement years, an average of 10,000 Americans turn 65 each day - making seniors the fastest growing segment of the US population. This rapid increase in their numbers and the ill-equipped housing stock is driving a growing nationwide demand for home renovations to facilitate aging in place. Most of these renovations will entail physical modifications to improve a senior's access to kitchen features and bathroom facilities and to enable the use of wheelchairs, walkers, and other assistive devices. Most of these renovations will not entail the installation of smart home devices that could allow seniors to:
- better secure their homes;
- maintain safer room temperature, humidity and lighting levels;
- control their appliances, energy usage and costs; and
- remain connected to their care providers, family members, friends and communities.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Fortunately, there are smart home devices on the market today and utilities have now deployed smart meters and related programs offerings in most areas that could provide seniors the opportunity to achieve enhanced levels of safety, comfort, convenience and connection.
However, three significant barriers prevent senior homeowners from taking advantage of this opportunity.
The Seniors Independent Living Collaborative was founded to address each of these barriers and to ensure that all senior homeowners can take advantage of the opportunity to age better in place as a result.
However, three significant barriers prevent senior homeowners from taking advantage of this opportunity.
- Few seniors are aware of the existence, much less the value of smart home control devices and utility smart meter programs;
- Still fewer seniors are able to use these devices as they were not designed to accommodate the specific physical and cognitive limitations that many encounter as they age; and
- Manufacturers and installers are unaware of, and therefore unable to apply what we know about the process of aging to the design of enhanced product and service offerings that accommodate the specific needs and preferences of senior homeowners.
The Seniors Independent Living Collaborative was founded to address each of these barriers and to ensure that all senior homeowners can take advantage of the opportunity to age better in place as a result.