As we age, our needs change. That means our current home may not serve us as well as it used to. Whether you are considering staying in your home long into your golden years, or you’re just talking to Mom or Dad about moving in with you when they sell the house—universal design is an important theme to know about.

Living space needed by modern families is always changing due to lifestyle, aging and current economic factors.  A conversation gaining traction in the real estate industry these days concerns the baby boomers generation and how their desires will impact the housing market now and into the future. Baby boomers were born after World War II between 1946 and 1964, and, as a group, have influenced lifestyle trends for decades. Roughly 78 million baby boomers are moving into their retirement years, and many are determined to “age in place.” These people are resistant to moving into retirement facilities or nursing homes, and prefer to live independently as long as possible.