FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Studio City, CA -- According to an ASID survey of U.S. homeowners, most Americans (82%) want to remain in their homes as they age, even if they should require assistance and care. Furthermore, it has been documented that more than half (52%) of American homeowners age 45 and older are interested in receiving information about remaining in their homes as they get older. While the topic of aging in place has been a recent buzz phrase - delved into by shelter magazines nationwide and abroad - it is a relatively new phenomenon; one that is gaining serious momentum, not only in the building industry, but amongst interior designers and homeowners, as well.
JACLO Luxury Grab Bar Collection
"In the last five years homeowners have started to understand how important aging in place is," says Professor of Gerontology at California State University, Long Beach - Melanie Horn Mallers, P.H.D. "The boomer generation especially doesn't want to be called old. They do not want to live in the traditional conception of a nursing home or assisted living facility as they grow older. They want to live in the comforts of their own home, with pride, control and dignity; they want to maintain their youthfulness and this has more than encouraged aging in place."
Furthermore, Horn Mallers relays that the boomer generation is open to talking about the issues associated with aging and they are willing to ask for assistance, as they know that this is crucial to enhancing their quality of life.
So as the savvy boomer generation becomes interested in modifying their home to meet their needs, the term aging in place has become synonymous with aging in style.
"We boomers don't plan on quitting anytime soon," said ASID member Pat Rowen in an article entitled, The Boomer Boom is Coming. "We want it all: comfort, beauty, function, safety and style."
And to give the boomer generation all that they want, numerous manufacturers have recently been pushing the envelope with innovative, functional and stylish product designs, which enhance interiors rather than transforming them into the stereotypical nursing home.
"Homeowners now realize that they need homes that will age with them," says Larry Brodey, president of JACLO – a decorative hardware manufacturer who has struck recent gold with their Luxury Grab Bar Collection. "The traditional home that serves you well when you are healthy won't always take care of you when you break a leg or hurt your back."
JACLO Luxury Grab Bar Collection
To make the transition of aging in place easier on the eyes, JACLO has created a full decorative slate of luxury grab bars, which come in seven styles and 16 finishes. Furthermore, they can customize finishes to meet a homeowner's preexisting fixtures. Their grab bars can also be outfitted with an adjustable slider, which their line of handshowers can be attached to, allowing the user to sit (either on a bench or in a wheelchair) to achieve a seamless and functional bathing experience.
"Aging in place products are crucial not only to the homeowner, but also to a caregiver or family member who might visit the home on a frequent basis," says Horn Mallers. "Helping an aging person can be physically demanding especially if the right equipment is not installed."
Horn Mallers relays that one of the most popular products purchased is the grab bar, however she also mentions that raising toilet height, securing rugs, using hands-free faucets, replacing door knobs with levers and lowering cabinet heights have been key modifications.
ALNO®, a high-end German kitchen manufacturer whose roots date back to 1927 – has revolutionized the industry in recent years with their debut of the MyWay© line, which is composed of fittings and features that allow ergonomics, flexibility and functionality to transform ease and comfort into an everyday reality. The collection features swing-down interior features for easy access, base cabinets that rise up to meet the user or wall units that lower down to load heavy plates and platters – not to mention elevated work stations, retractable landings, height adjustable tables, fully accessible corner storage units and a cabinet dedicated to the family pet with a tuck-away food and water bowl in the toe-kick. These are just a few of the wonders that the MyWay© collection has created to make everyday life easier. Even more enticing, is that the line has been marketed not just to boomers, but as a transgenerational product – translating that good design and comfort has no age limit.
"Being able to decide where you want to live enhances dignity and maximizes self fulfilment," says Horn Mallers. "Boomers want their home to be functional so that they do not feel dependant on others. There is no doubt that the market will keep up with their needs."
JACLO, an industry leader since 1961, is the premiere manufacturer of decorative plumbing products and advanced shower solutions. They continue to inundate the market with highly-stylized shower systems, faucets and decorative accessories that marry steadfast durability with seamless style. Available at over 2,500 dealers nationwide, JACLO's products create luxurious fully-coordinated bath suites that exude the finishing touch. Implemented in numerous high-end hotels and residences across the country, their product lines provide a superior experience that enhances daily rituals and defines elegant living. Given their wide range of product and dedication to detail, the company is well-equipped to meet the needs and growing demands of its customers with unparalleled efficiency.
For over 75 years, ALNO has been creating innovative and revolutionary kitchen systems, which boast of quality materials, skilled craftsmanship and technical precision. As Europe's largest kitchen manufacturer, all systems are imported from the company's base in Germany – and feature only the finest wood, glass, gloss, color and overall architecture. Recognized as a green and environmentally-responsible manufacturer, ALNO is always refining and exploring new ways to create the ultimate kitchen from a product and personal usage point of view. Their theme for 2008, "The Kitchen Perfected," communicates more than their commitment to create the finest products available; it reinforces that ALNO kitchens are designed for how people want to live. Always at the forefront of innovation, ALNO kitchens are synonymous with personal art, and offer comfort features including all glass doors, soft close drawers and hinges and numerous color palettes. ALNO products are available through a select network of nationwide dealers. Please visit www.alnousa.com or DRS & Associates (818 981-8210) for additional information.
Melanie Horn Mallers, Ph.D. is a professor at California State University Long Beach (CSULB). She teaches undergraduate and master level students in gerontology, human development, family studies, as well as health courses. She currently advises CSULB's Gerontology Certificate Program, as well as oversees its chapter of the National Honor Society in Gerontology. She is an active member of the Gerontological Society of Aging (GSA) and the California Council of Gerontology and Geriatrics (CCGG). Her research includes examination of the link between aging and health. She is currently working on a collaborative grant with the Department of Psychology and Social Behavior at UC Irvine on daily stressors and adaptation to chronic health conditions.
Dr. Mallers serves as a private consultant to families regarding caregiving and other age-related issues, including home safety, housing, and access to community based resources, as well as to business and community agencies regarding the cultural, economic and social influences on their aging customers/clients. If you would like to contact her, please feel free to email her at mhorn@csulb.edu.
Contact:
David Schlocker
or Christina MacDonald
DRS and Associates
tel. 818.981.8210
fax. 818.981.8220
email. david@drs-associates.com
christina@drs-associates.com