Have you ever thought about what you love most about your home?
Maybe it’s the light-filled breakfast nook in your kitchen, or your quiet, private neighborhood. Perhaps it’s the garden you’ve carefully cultivated for years, or the great room where you’ve hosted family holidays and made so many memories.
If you’re like most people, you probably hope to stay in your home for the rest of your life. According to the AARP, more than 90% of older adults say they want to live at home for as long as possible.
“Aging in place—remaining in one’s home and community safely, independently, and comfortably as one grows older—can greatly impact one’s well-being,” says Evan Fujimoto, president of award-winning Honolulu design/build firm Graham Builders. “Though some people move into assisted living facilities by choice or necessity, most of us want to age at home.”
Big decisions
Over his 32-year career with Graham Builders, Fujimoto has observed that older homeowners must ask themselves many thought-provoking questions as they decide where to spend their later years.
“What are the pros and cons of aging in place at home, versus assisted living? What makes sense financially? Would modifications or a renovation make your home safe and accessible? Do you prefer privacy or socialization, independence or group activities? Can you get help from family or aides in the event that you need personal care? All are critically important questions,” Fujimoto says.
Many elders feel strong emotional attachment to their homes. “Familiar surroundings are really important for kupuna,” says Lenore Smith, Graham Builders’ client care manager. “Understandably, they also like maintaining control over their lives and they enjoy their independence. Most like to manage their own social schedules and maintain their own connections.”
Managed care homes offer safety and security, access to medical services and support, and plenty of socialization. However, they also have visitation restrictions and higher risks of infection during illness outbreaks and pandemics. And then there’s the financial burden to consider.
“Our clients have done the math,” says Smith. “The cost of assisted living ranges from $45,000 to $75,000 for a SINGLE year. It’s almost always more cost-effective to complete home modifications so that they can age in place.”
Making homes safe for kupuna
Experts estimate that fewer than 10% of American homes are ready to accommodate older adults. One of every five falls among seniors causes serious injury, resulting in more than 32,000 deaths and $50 billion in medical costs each year.
“Almost inevitably, our physical abilities decrease over time,” says Fujimoto. “As we start having trouble getting around, our homes can become dangerous.”
Renovations and modifications to increase accessibility can greatly reduce the risk of falls. Additionally, some upgrades that accommodate disabilities and medical conditions can qualify as medical expenses, which might make them tax-deductible.
The Graham Builders team includes three Aging-in-Place specialists, certified by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB): Ryan Graham (vice-president of operations), lead designer Malia Yee, and Evan Fujimoto himself. NAHB’s training empowers specialists with the tools and knowledge to make homes safe and accessible for those with limited mobility.
“We guide people through the process of defining their needs, expectations, desires and limitations, and collaborate with them to create homes in which they can age safely, comfortably and happily,” Smith says.
Founded in 1990, Graham Builders remains the only contractor in Hawaii honored by the Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award for Business Ethics. You’re cordially invited to attend Graham Builders’ FREE “Building Your Home for Life” seminar on Saturday, September 6 th , from 9-11 a.m. Register at grahambuilders.com or call 808/593-2808.