Contract documents

October 2, 2024

Introduction

With each passing year, this great nation we call home ages, and so do the citizens who make it great. As part of this shift, baby boomers become seniors; parents morph into grandparents; entrepreneurs pass the business down to heirs; employees become retirees; and the proverbial baton of life moves from one generation to the next.

Life changes as many of the duties and roles this aging segment of the population once held are relinquished. From one coast to the next and at all points in between, their lives are being re-configured as they embrace their new normal. During this transition, their needs change, including where they live and how they function in that space. This shift represents a significant opportunity for residential contractors to serve baby boomers, the largest segment of the United States population, through age-friendly spaces.

Characteristics of Age-Friendly Spaces

Age-friendly spaces are much different than the normal projects residential contractors tend to work on. The same amenities are included of course, but in a way that aligns with the needs of the person using them. Some points of design focus include:

• An emphasis on accessibility: Accessibility is the most important aspect of an age-friendly design, and it sets the tone for the home and without it, all the other features essentially become useless. Every move a residential contractor makes must be done with accessibility in mind. This means ramps instead of stairways, wider doorways and turns instead of nooks and corners, and hallways that lend themselves to safe traveling by seniors.
• Bathroom and kitchen functionality: Bathrooms and kitchens are danger zones for Seniors as all types of mishaps are known to occur in these places, including falls. Falls can be fatal for seniors, and residential contractors need to build areas that require minimal movement and limit muscle strain, constructed on non-slip surfaces with good traction.
• Lighting: Diminished eyesight is one of the tell-tale signs of aging and an area that residential contractors must keep in mind. Vision is a concern for seniors which is why lighting plays such a critical role in the design of their spaces. Adequate lighting prevents falls and other hazards, allowing seniors to move about their surroundings with dignity and confidence.
• Flooring: No-slip surfaces in the kitchen and bathroom are critical, but other rooms require the same kind of attention to detail. Seniors may be using some type of assistance apparatus to move about such as a walker or wheelchair. In those instances, having proper flooring that lends itself to ease of use, regardless of their transportation mode is crucial.

 Conclusion

Aging is a part of life, but with age comes change and that includes changing the way a person lives, where they live. This is a reality that is becoming more and more woven into the fabric of the nation, and one that provides residential contractors with a significant business opportunity as the largest segment of the population ages into senior status.

To capitalize, contractors must be open-minded and flexible. In some instances, a customer may want an age-friendly new build, complete with the appropriate amenities. While in others, remodeling may be the option as many seniors may be at the point where moving into a new residence isn’t an option. Whichever the case, developing age-friendly spaces where seniors can live comfortably and with dignity represents an amazing opportunity to drive business and give back to the community at large.

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AIA Contract Documents has provided this article for general informational purposes only. The information provided is not legal opinion or legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship of any kind. This article is also not intended to provide guidance as to how project parties should interpret their specific contracts or resolve contract disputes, as those decisions will need to be made in consultation with legal counsel, insurance counsel, and other professionals, and based upon a multitude of factors.