AARP Study Addresses Accessibility Issues

Ninety-percent of people older than 65 would prefer to remain in their homes, but as they age, accessibility problems can become an issue, according to a recent AARP study. Furthermore, more than 1 million U.S. households are unable to meet the structural needs of an aging, disabled resident.

“Accessibility and Visitability Features in Single-Family Homes” found that four categories of state and local policy address accessibility in single-family homes. They are builder requirements for subsidized housing, builder requirements or incentive for unsubsidized housing, tax or fee incentives to the consumer and consumer awareness campaigns.

Structural modifications that capture the most attention are those built into subsidized housing and include features such as no-step entrance doors, widened doors and hallways on the first floor, and accessible climate controls and electrical outlets.