Design for Aging

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the elderly population will more than double between now and the year 2050, to 80 million. That means roughly one out of five adults in the U.S. will be over the age of 65. 

One of the biggest challenges in the next 30 years will be how to meet the demand for quality living environments for the burgeoning population of older adults.  This will require modifications to much of the existing housing stock, as well as making changes in new construction today that will accommodate older residents’ needs in the future.

But aging in place is not just about the home.  The aging of the population will affect every interior environment—private, commercial and public.  For example,

• Hospitality – restaurants, hotels and motels will need to be accessible
• Workplace – offices, retail stores and other work spaces will need to provide adequate lighting, seating, technology, task areas and quiet places for older workers
• Healthcare – increased need for outpatient and in-home care, accommodation for caretakers and caregivers
• Retail – stores will need to be accessible and accommodate individuals using assistive devices
• Multihousing/multiuse – growing demand for livable communities and urban complexes with easy access to health care, entertainment, shopping, etc.

Interior designers are uniquely qualified to create supportive, livable environments for older persons that are functional, healthy and safe. If you are interested in serving this population, you need to know about the needs and wants of this growing market.  Below you will find information and links to additional resources to help you get started.

Design for Active Aging
Click here to access articles by members of the ASID Aging in Place Council on aging design issues, marketing strategies and resources.


Design for Aging in Place Toolkit
Thinking about expanding your practice to attract the fastest growing market in design today?  The Design for Aging in Place Toolkit has the information, resources and marketing tips you need to get started. For more information and to download your copy, click here.  Exclusive and FREE to ASID members. (PDF)

Home for a Lifetime: Interior Design for Active Aging
In some studies, as many as 8 in 10 homeowners age 45 and over say they would like to stay in their homes as long as possible, even if at some point they would need help caring for themselves in order to do so. An AARP study found that the desire to continue to live in the same house actually increases with age. Download this report to discover recommendations on how to design today to anticipate future lifestages. (PDF)

When a House Is Not a Home
The ASID Los Angeles Chapter and Torrance Kiwanis Foundation, working with the Design That Works consultancy, created a barrier-free environment for a retiree and stroke victim that will allow him to remain in his home.  For details and sources, read on.

AIA Design for Aging Knowledge Community
The mission of the AIA Design for Aging Knowledge Community (DFA) is to foster design innovation and disseminate knowledge necessary to enhance the built environment and quality of life for an aging society. This includes relevant research on characteristics, planning, and costs associated with innovative design for aging. In addition, DFA provides outcome data on the value of these design solutions and environments.

Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist Program from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
The NAHB RemodelorsTM Council, in collaboration with the AARP, NAHB Research Center, and NAHB Seniors Housing Council, developed this program to provide comprehensive, practical, market-specific information about working with older and maturing adults to remodel their homes for aging-in-place. Interior designers are invited to become CAPS certified. For more information about the program and schedules, go to www.nahb.org and look under EDUCATION, Designations for CAPS.