Aging in Place

“In plain English, aging-in-place means remaining in one's home safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level. It means the pleasure of living in a familiar environment throughout one's maturing years, and the ability to enjoy the familiar daily rituals and the special events that enrich all our lives. It means the reassurance of being able to call a house a ‘home’ for a lifetime”

–As defined by National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)

Universal Design

"Universal Design is the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. When one considers the safety and convenience of his/her guests in the home, Universal Design becomes an undistinguishable central theme for living. It certainly embraces safety, but more from a convenience standpoint than from a “warning” posture."

–Design/Build Solutions for Aging and Accessibility (CAPS II). Washington, DC: NAHB, 2007