Aging in place is of great interest to the Baby Boomer generation along with stylish home furnishings and decor accents to facilitate the process.
Aging in place is defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably regardless of age, income, or ability level.
Taking this interesting information into account, I took a quick mental roll call of some of the noted Boomers many of us have grown up with.
Let’s look at a few Baby Boomer Facts and Finds:
Baby Boomers, also known as the Boomer Generation, is the demographic term designated to those born between 1946 and 1964.
“Getting older makes you more alive.
More vitality, more interest, more intelligence,
more grace, more expansion.”
—Jamie Lee Curtis
Building upon this quote, aging in place has come to embrace broader terms.
From my perspective, aging at home far better suits the topic.
Based on the energy and vitality Baby Boomers exhibit in the growing older phase of life, the active role taken aligns with a “more” frame of mind.
Baby Boomers have significantly more discretionary income (wealth) than any other age group, however, the costs involved in a remodel of an existing home or purchasing a new home ready to go understandably figures into budget planning.
Estimates show Baby Boomers have 78.1 trillion dollars to bring to the economic table placing this demographic in the position of controlling fifty-one percent (51%) of the total wealth in the United States.
The Census Bureau predicts more than 78 million people will be 65+ years old with ninety percent (90%) of that number voicing their desire to age in place -age at home.
Home furnishings and home improvement considerations factor into the aging at home process, and without question must address form, function, purpose, and personal design style preferences.
Although this black and white photo of Debbie Harry is from several years ago, it captures the essence of distinctive style and beauty.
Debbie Harry
Gorgeous!
Furthermore, this copy of Debbie Harry 1980 yellow by Andy Warhol will make a super chic addition ready to update your decor style.
Debbie Harry 1980 yellow by Andy Warhol
Rock ‘n’ rollers age to the beat of a different drum.
Guess who is sponsoring The Rolling Stones 2024 North American tour spotlighting their new album, Hackney Diamonds?
AARP.
“The best tunes are played on the oldest fiddles.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson
Generation fabulous will not take growing old sitting down, chooses to turn up vs. turn down the timeless music of the day, and strives to look fit and phenomenally stylish in the process.
Now more than ever the times they are a-changin’, my friends.
More and more it appears the baby boomer generation refuses to buy into stereotypical expectations.
Interesting to say the least, the 2023 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report published by the National Association of Realtors concludes Baby Boomers, both younger Boomers (58-67 years old) as well as older Boomers (68-76 years old) make up the largest generation of home buyers coming in at thirty-nine percent (39%).
Baby Boomers make up the largest group of home sellers at fifty-two percent (52%) with buyers fifty-seven plus years old (57+) selecting to downsize.
Among the reasons factoring into the decision is the desire to move closer to friends and family.
Younger Boomers typically own their homes for eleven years before selling, while older Boomers own their homes an average of sixteen years before putting up a for sale sign.
Seems the age of Aquarius is aiming to be the age of active with attitude and agile ability.
What’s Music Got To Do With It?
Music keeps a beat with life here at Places In The Home.
According to current results from the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging, the benefits of listening to or singing along with music brought to the health and well-being among adults 50-80 years old are undeniable.
Below is the results of the poll percentages based on findings among 2,657 adults aged 50 to 80.
Relieves Stress 75%
Brings Joy 73%
Improves Mood & Attitude 65%
Motivates or Energizes 60%
Helps Keep Mind Sharp 31%
Colloquially speaking, this oldie but goodie finds music keeps the flow, the beat, the classic memories alive and kicking, and the good times rocking and rolling.
Donnie & Marie Osmond.
Donnie and Marie looking fit and fabulous during their residency in Las Vegas.
Speaking of Las Vegas…
According to a recent study by Empower, Las Vegas is the No. 1 city retirees choose to relocate to based on its affordability, Nevada’s no state and no estate or inheritance tax structure, abundant health care access, and desirable climate.
Telling is the influence and impact of the independence driven Baby Boomer consumer and how it finds a significant place in the interior design and home accessories retail market.
Nancy Meyers – Architectural Digest – Photography by Amy Neunsinger
Gone are the days where the rule of thumb dictated consumers must trade style for quality and comfort.
Changing practices are just that, changing, and in the home furnishings and decor market of today pieces that check the boxes greatly appeal to the discerning eye of aging in place purchasers.
Better Homes & Gardens – Photography by Julie Soefer
Certain upgrades, particularly those which accommodate disabled and medical conditions, qualify as medical expenses which the IRS qualifies as tax-deductible.
Safety issues justifiably become a top of list topic to be mindful of.
What might not be required at present very well may be down the road.
Adapting spaces in your existing home to accommodate the changing needs involves looking at design advances through the lens of modification such as the addition of adjustable heights for ease of accessibility.
DecoTeak 18 inch Teak Shower Bench in Woodland Brown
Remodeling, kitchen, bath, appliance professionals are paying close attention to the concerns of aging Boomers.
Arched White Matte Solid Surface Resin Bathroom / Shower Stool
Better Homes & Gardens – Photography by Michael Partenio
Hillsdale Preston Walnut Acacia Wood Shower Stool
Corner Natural Teak Wood Shower & Bathroom Shelf
Bathroom fixtures including grab bars and lever faucets in an array of finish and design options have come a long way, baby in the visual style and performance game.
Elizabeth Garrett Interiors – Photography by Kerry Kirk Photo
Regarding home remodeling and new construction questions and requests taken into consideration, storage accessibility comes in as a necessary addition rather than a luxury detail.
Ease of availability is within reach when utilizing deep drawers for housing pots and pans.
Better Homes & Gardens on Pinterest
Get in the zone-the zone of convenience, that is.
Establishing kitchen zones aligns task to utility making time and steps spent in the kitchen easier to navigate.
Working off the ideas of maximum efficiency and an unobstructed floor to countertop flow, locate items such as pots and pans and dinnerware somewhat close in proximity to workspace areas.
Simple makes a productive sous chef.
Those of us of a certain age have come to realize we will be opting to be aging in place-aging at home Boomers.
Fully Frameless Sliding Shower Door in Oil Rubbed Bronze
We want to be able to live in our own homes that are built, remodeled, or modified to comfortably accommodate our concerns, styles, and needs as we age.
Layers of lighting (ambient, task, and reading).
Non-slip flooring.
Lever style door and faucet handles.
Smart appliances.
Southern Living Magazine – Photography by James Ransom
Furnishings equipped with form and function are some of the options being marketed to Boomers as the move toward aging in place trend dictates.
Sacrificing one for the other does not sit well with the average consumer who counts the finished look as important as the form and the function of the design.
Building your home light show begins by adding layers of lighting for the purpose of distributing essential lighting to various task situations and home activities as called for.
Shaw Landmark Sliced Oak Hardwood Flooring
Natural light shines a beneficial light in many ways. On an extra sunny day natural light can give the light bill a break, increase the warmth of space and mood, boost Vitamin D, and lower stress and anxiety levels.
Ambient lighting supplies a primary source of lighting to the space, task lighting gives a more direct lighting for specific task, and accent lighting a focused softer lighting choice.
GE Relax HD LED Light Bulbs, 100 Watt, Soft White Frosted Finish, 4pk
Installing higher lumen count light bulbs will increase brightness, and rocker style light switches upgrade the look and provide a more comfortable fit for ease of operation.
Years ago I coined the term “too furniture store” to drive the point home that without the presence of comfort a space is lacking in fashionable function and decorative oomph.
Time and trend motivates our taste and style preferences to evolve.
Consider your personal style as one long sentence filled with commas, semi-colons, and exclamation marks on its way to full stop fruition.
In other words, over time our style journey is punctuated with additions, changes, and inspiration.
Along the way we keep a visual notebook teeming with ideas gleaned from the nouns of life- the people, places, and things that have made an impression on us.
Traditional style elements are characteristically the decor style implemented into older homes.
Balancing classic with modern to contemporary design features is achieved through transitional style.
Layering the space in a blended marriage of antique pieces and contemporary accents along with colors, textures, and patterns in an array of neutral shades returns a relaxed and refreshed aesthetic.
Accent Satin Nickel Privacy Bed/Bath Door Handle with Addison Trim
Lever style door knobs and faucet handles prove easier to operate than knobs for the express reason they require less dexterity to operate.
Centerset Double Handle High-Arc Bathroom Faucet in Brushed Nickel
Single-Handle Pull-Down Sprayer Kitchen Faucet with Flexible Hose – Nickel
Soft close hinges feature hydraulic assistance that presents easier door movement.
Smart home technologies uncomplicate matters by adding ease to the day to day routine.
Honeywell Home Smart Color Thermostat
Google Nest Learning Thermostat – Smart Wi-Fi Thermostat – Brass
Smart devices such as thermostats, home security systems, and video doorbells aid in conserving energy, make the use of voice assistants to control lights a breeze, and bring peace of mind to the aging in place process.
Ring Smart Wireless WiFi Video Doorbell
Flooring is the literal and figurative foundation of a house.
Safety needs, costs, preference, ease of maintenance, value (as in resale) and durability enter into the hardwood flooring vs. carpeting decision making process.
Firebrand Oak Herringbone Waterproof Laminate Wood Flooring
Brookhaven Oak 7 mm T x 8 in. W Laminate Wood Flooring
Hickory 10 mm T x 5.2 in. W Waterproof Laminate Wood Flooring
Branford Cherry 12mm T x 8.03 in W Waterproof Laminate Wood Flooring
Pure Click Lock Waterproof Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
Non-slip vinyl plank flooring gives the look of hardwood with a wide variety of wood tones, colors, and patterns to choose from.
Bralton Oak Click Lock Waterproof Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
Carpet remains an appealing flooring option to many homeowners old and young alike. I have carpet in the bedrooms in my home as do several of my Boomer friends and neighbors.
Carpet is soft, helps to absorb noise, and is a baked into the cake flooring must for bedrooms with those who adopt a “it’s what we/I have always had” way of thinking.
Trim transition strips serve a needed purpose in maintaining without stumble or issue the transition from carpeting to tile, hardwood or stone flooring.
Ideally, spaces should be clear from obstructions in order to make navigating around furniture much easier.
Brendon Farrell 10-Fin Hook Rack
Decluttering high-traffic areas to mitigate risks and falls creates flow which results in better utilization of the space.
Decorative storage solutions including trays and baskets solve the problem with style and order.
Montecito Large Rectangular Chunky Woven Basket by Jake Arnold
Natural lighting and fresh air set a lovely outdoor living scene.
Rather enjoying a cup of coffee in the morning in peaceful solitude or hosting friends for brunch, inviting outdoor living areas tailor to those who enjoy additional entertaining options.
As Baby Boomers choose to scale down to accommodate smaller square footage homes, furniture size and placement enters into the picture.
Performance furnishings describes pieces big on function and style.
Lounge chairs and sofas overdone and overstuffed close in a space, erasing the visually appealing aesthetic from existence. Search for pieces that incorporate a sturdy frame and space-saving sizing.
Furniture designers have responded to the market by reducing the length and width of sofas, end and bedside tables, and decorative furnishings.
Chairside End Table, Two-Drawer Narrow Side Table, Fully Assembled
Americana Farmhouse Dusty Taupe Bedside Chest with Charging Station
No, it is not a myth- convenience with style has found its way into the home furnishings and decor market.
Kelsey Grammer
Hello, Baby Boomers.
Home furnishings and decor retailers are listening.
