Soon to take over the world.......
I
have the great pleasure of working as a Sales & Marketing Manager for Tub King, our showroom located in Jacksonville, FL, and through this role have met amazing and inspiring seniors. In many
cases I’m also communicating with adult children of seniors who are concerned
with their parent’s comfort and safety while bathing. Being an empathetic creature I oftentimes
internalize their frustration of having to venture down the road of demolition
and the remodel of their homes with little to no idea of how to do it, when to
do it, nor what to buy.
Based
on my own personal experience with this growing segment of the population, and
being a person who requires data before making a decision, I went on an
internet research expedition. The statistics I’m about to share with you are
eye opening if you are in a business which provides products or services to the
senior population.
- Today one in three Americans is now 50 or older and in 2030 individuals aged over 65 will climb to about 72.1 million, or one in five Americans. (Source: Admininistration on Aging).
- What will that look like in 2050? The senior population will soar to 88.5 million — or 20 percent of the population. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010
How
do these facts impact home and community building contractors currently? A
survey conducted by AARP of
1,616 adults ages 45 and older found that fewer than half of the respondents
have an entrance without steps, a half-bath on the main level of their home, doorways
that are wider than standard door, nor handles that are levers instead of
knobs.
AARP
shares, “The
great majority of older adults have a strong desire to live in their own homes
and communities. However, unsupportive community design, unaffordable and
inaccessible housing, and a lack of access to needed services can thwart this
desire.” Unless there are vital changes in how houses and communities are
constructed and what services are offered, many older adults will find it
increasingly difficult to live in their communities and may be compelled to
consider institutional care.
“Nearly 90% of people over age 65
indicate they want to stay in their home as long as possible, and four of
five in that age bracket believe their current home is where they will
always live,” says AARP, which stressed the importance of accessible building standards
to allow people to remain in their homes instead of having to spend money on relocating
or retrofitting. “It might be a good idea to design houses and communities that
are accessible to all people, including older Americans and those with
disabilities, and some states encourage developers of affordable housing to
install features that make it easier for older adults to age in place”, says
AARP. Examples of this include: wider accessible entrance doors; entry-level
hallways that are wide enough for mobility devices; ramped or beveled door
thresholds; and accessible bathrooms focused on safety.
I implore contractors, builders,
remodelers, architects, and designers nationwide to think forward and be proactive when it comes to what is 'future forward' when selecting bathtubs for seniors.
Consider, not only what the client wants now, but what they will appreciate
having incorporated into their home for use in the future. Sure, go ahead and put an
exquisite Tub King cast iron clawfoot tub in their master bathroom but also
think ahead to the time they or their 'aging in place' parent may need the comfort and
independence provided by a Tub King walk-in bathtub installed in one of the guest
bathrooms.
Kudos to the National Association of
Home Builders who have instituted a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) program
to address these needs in the building industry. The CAPS designation offers
your potential clients what they need most: reassurance that you’ll help them
make the choices that will help them stay in their homes safely and securely. I
am actually considering becoming certified myself!
If you are considering implementing this strategy in to your new home building or renovation project, please contact our Sales & Marketing Manager, Edie, at (800) 409-3375 for contractor pricing on walk-in bathtubs for elderly and disabled persons.
If you are considering implementing this strategy in to your new home building or renovation project, please contact our Sales & Marketing Manager, Edie, at (800) 409-3375 for contractor pricing on walk-in bathtubs for elderly and disabled persons.
