Parade of Homes

just a passing trend. In fact, he says it's going to be "the next big thing" when it comes to renovations and new home design as the 50-plus set is the fastest growing segment of society. A recent study, Impacts of the Aging of the Canadian Population on Housing and Communities, showed that about 85% of Cana- dians over the age of 55 want to remain in their current home or neighbourhood even if there are changes in their health. "People like us are going to continue to get older and they want to stay in their neighbourhood. They know where the ameni- ties are. Life expectancy is continuing to increase … and if you live longer you will want to live the way you want to live longer," Moore says. "Aging in place allows us to stay in our home longer and get the full use of our home for a longer period of time. People would rather stay in their own house than go into a care home. The good news is that if they can stay in their house lon- ger that saves everyone money in the long run." Moore says it's becoming more and more common for buyers to ask builders to incorporate age-in-place concepts into new home designs. That can include ev- erything from wider doors and additional main-floor bedrooms to lower kitchen cupboards and larger bathrooms for people who require a wheelchair. Incorporating those features into the design of a new home creates a more adaptable environment and will likely mean far fewer renova- tions to meet the changing health needs of the owner down the road, he adds. It's not just home buyers planning for their own future who are driving the demand. Moore says multi-generational households have become increasingly common as adult children share a home with their elderly parents, and certain allowances have to be made to accommodate them. Home To STay Cont'd from page 91 'Aging in place allows us to stay in our home longer and get the full use of our home for a longer period of time' Comack says the beauty of an age-in-place strategy is that it allows both young and older families to blend together to create a "holistic" neighbourhood. "It's very positive for a community when you have both younger and older families," he says. "People tend to take care of each other. A lot of these people aren't just your neighbours, they are your friends." Mike Moore, president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association (MHBA), says aging in place is far more than 92 Parade of Homes Spring 2015 homebuilders.mb.ca QUALITY By working with our members, you are ensured the highest quality in home building and renovations for your home 3558652 1 2/11/15 2:09:36 PM

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