Now the Canadian Home Builders' Association (CHBA), through
its Canadian Renovation Council, is working to bring the sectors
together through training and communication programs to
support older homeowners and caregivers. The CHBA is one of
the partners in Home Modification Canada, an umbrella group
looking at ways to adapt Canada's housing stock to meet the
needs of an aging population.
CHBA director of Renovation Services Gary Sharp says a new
website at www.homemods.ca will help consumers find all the
professional assistance — from specially qualified contractors to
MANITOBA'S BUILDERS AND
SUPPLIERS HAVE ALREADY
EMBRACED THE CONCEPT,
CALLED AGING IN PLACE.
SIGNATURE HOMES — 205 Willow Creek Road — Bridgwater Trails
Cont'd on page 34
occupational therapists — to make sure their
homes are liveable for the long term. He and
Fenn recently walked an industry audience in
Winnipeg through the need for such a team
approach.
A big part of the need comes down to numbers
— the growing number of seniors and the costs
of having seniors live in hospitals ($842 per
day), long-term care facilities ($440 per day) and
assisted living residences that can range from
$2,000 to $10,000 per month. Compared to
those costs, modifying homes for aging in place
is a steal, working out to about $8 per day.
Incorporating universal design into new homes is
part of the answer. That means designing spaces
to be accessible and usable by all: Making
doorways 36 inches wide and having level
thresholds at doorways to accommodate walkers
and wheelchairs, using lever-style handles on
doors, designing spaces with plenty of natural
light and many more elements.
Parade of Homes Spring 2018 33
