The Age-In-Place Revolution Begins at Home

Unsurprisingly, the overwhelming majority of retirees and soon-to-be retirees would prefer to stay in their current locations. However, 44 percent of those age 50-plus expect to relocate at some point to live in homes and communities that can better support their desire to age in place, according to the latest edition of AARP’s national Home and Community Preferences Survey.

The homeowners we spoke with chose to make a cross-country move from the Pacific Northwest to North Carolina to build their new home. “We had both grown up in the eastern half of the U.S. and we wanted to be closer to things here, where we could drive everywhere,” instead of having to fly, they explained. When asked why they chose Asheville, they said they loved the city's restaurants and music scene. Being closer to their children and grandchildren was also a factor.

They chose Reynolds Mountain in Asheville to build their new home because of the proximity to the city center and the views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. “We're about five miles from downtown, and have a view that's really nice, and we can take advantage of all the things that Asheville has.”

Having plenty of room to host friends and family was a priority but so was making the most of the home’s dramatic views and natural beauty of the surrounding countryside, as well as striking a thoughtful balance between openness and a desire for privacy.

The home has a low and unobtrusive profile from the entrance. According to the homeowners, visitors are often caught off-guard by the true dimensions of the home, since so much of it is not visible from the street. But an entryway built around expansive glass unfolds into a spacious, airy interior space with inspiring views of the surrounding landscape at every turn. “We recognized that the view was the thing we were trying to capture, so the windows that were put in have a lot to do with that.”

And there are a lot of windows. More than 100, in fact. Engineered to provide maximum design flexibility and handcrafted beauty, as well as superior performance, windows and doors from the Marvin Ultimate collection were the perfect choice. Natural light illuminates the interior during the day, and the breathtaking mountain scenery beckons visitors outside to enjoy a spacious patio.

The windows and doors might provide a physical separation between the home and the natural beauty surrounding it. But the brilliant design of the space makes that separation all but invisible. And while the homeowners knew what they wanted to accomplish, they were surprised and delighted by the experience provided by the finished home. “Our friends say they have ‘window envy.’”

From the first stages of the design process, the homeowners prioritized making space not just for themselves, but for their children and grandchildren. “The lower level is perfect for when our kids are here. They have a private place to go, but there's like a family room down there that everybody can gather still and watch TV or play games.”

The couple also took a practical view of the requirements that come with designing a space that they could stay in for life. The open interior design provides easy access to each different area of the home. “The way the partitions are placed between the dining room and the living room, and the dining room and the kitchen, there's plenty of space for people to come and go. If you were using a walker or a wheelchair, it's not an issue at all.” There’s even an elevator that connects the main level to the lower level.

By the numbers, mobility issues will affect more than a quarter of adults ages 75–85. And the usefulness of the elevator came into sharper focus when one of the homeowners had knee replacement surgery during the construction process.

One reason so many people are choosing to build new homes or remodel existing ones as they move into retirement is that the living spaces they created to raise families are not as well-suited to support them in the next chapter of their lives.

For example, while the most frequently used spaces in a typical home are on the main level, it’s important to make sure that entryways and doorways are wide enough to accommodate mobility assistance devices like walkers and wheelchairs. In bathrooms, adding grab bars, handrails, toilets that sit higher, and using non-slip tiles on the floor and in the shower or tub areas can address both mobility and safety concerns.

To create a comfortable living space that makes aging in place possible, being up-front with the architect and builder about your priorities is a must. This includes specific design features that make a home more accessible, safe, and navigable.

Drawing on their own experiences and results, the Asheville homeowners have two key recommendations for others in a similar stage of life: