MANITOBA’S BUILDERS AND SUPPLIERS HAVE ALREADY EMBRACED THE CONCEPT, CALLED AGING IN PLACE.
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.
SIGNATURE HOMES — 205 Willow Creek Road — Bridgwater Trails
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
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