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Smart Bathroom Solutions for Aging Population

By on March 28, 2011 in Homes

For the longest time, I’ve been complaining about the lack of understanding of baby boomers’ needs among consumer products manufacturers and marketers. I’ve now been proven wrong! Just look at what the upscale bathroom and kitchen products designer and manufacturer Kohler has recently come up with – ‘Aging in Place’ Product Solutions.

These bathroom products were designed for aging boomers and seniors who still want to maintain their independence at home while tackling their arthritis, osteoporosis and other even more debilitating conditions.

A brief glance at Kohler’s microsite http://www.ca.kohler.com/bold-independence/shows lever handling faucets that no longer require twisting and turning to operate, but allow for unparalleled ease of use and flexibility for people with limited mobility. There are, of course, the more common wall-mounted grab bars or integrated handrails which add safety and security. They also have a line of step-over baths to enable easy transition in and out of the bath and Comfort Height toilets which are two inches taller than standard models. Handshowers are always seen in hotels, but Kohler has a line for home use that encourages ease of use for both standing and seated users alike.

I’ve always said that the focal point of a home has moved from the living/dining room area to the kitchen and now increasingly to the bathrooms. Making our bathrooms suit our lifestyles will be the ultimate necessity for our aging population.

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More Boomers to Buy Condos and U.S. Properties

By on February 23, 2011 in Homes

The National Post recently reported that the year 2010 ended on a high note for Toronto’s condo market and 2011 is predicted to be another good year because of continuing interest from investors and baby boomers. According to a recent report by TD Canada Trust Boomer Buyers, 61 percent of the boomers surveyed planned to look for a detached house with their next move, while 24 percent were looking at condos. The boomer demographic cited low maintenance, and better security and amenities as key deciding factors.

Not all boomers surveyed were convinced. Sixty-one percent didn’t like the idea of living in a condo because they didn’t want to give up their backyard or garden, and 57 percent didn’t want to pay condo fees. Whether it’s condos or houses, Canadian boomers are also beginning to invest in properties down south as the U.S. property market continues to tank. Canadians are now the biggest buyers of Florida properties and many of the purchasers are boomers who are investing in vacation properties in a warmer climate or planning ahead for retirement.

I believe that the demographics of snowbirds are increasingly dropping in age – from seniors to boomers. Many of my friends and former colleagues have either purchased or are eyeing properties down south. Canadian realtors are now competing with their American counterparts, and whoever can cater to the boomers’ needs will win a bigger share in their overall investment portfolio.

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Showers Replacing Tubs in Bathrooms

By on March 30, 2009 in Homes, Lifestyle

The environmentally-friendly shower has replaced bath tubs as the first choice of homeowners and hoteliers alike.
 
According to The Toronto Star, when Hyatt Regency took over the former Holiday Inn on King Street West in the theatre district, it got rid of most of the tubs in a massive remodelling effort. The hotel reopened in February 2009.
 
People don’t seem to want to spend so much time to have a bath. They want to be quick, in and out. In terms of the environmental impact, showers take up to one-third of the water of a bath. Technology has also improved over the years so people can get ‘full body massages’ from nozzles located in ceilings and walls.
 
Canada’s ageing boomers are also moving toward large showers when renovating their bathrooms. Safety issues  are the main reason – seniors might slip and fall climbing into or out of a tub and boomers are planning for their next lifestage.

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Grown-Up Homes

By on November 27, 2008 in Homes, Lifestyle

“House and Home” on Sunday evenings is always a favourite TV show of mine. But during the most recent show, it particularly piqued my interest because Lynda Reeves devoted the whole show to “What’s Grown-Up Now” for houses and homes of baby boomers.

Every life stage is different and it’s always my opinion that we should redecorate our homes every decade. Refreshing our home décor is like updating our wardrobes – new colours, new accents and new style.

After going through three very different homes of three baby boomers including the host’s, the TV program concluded that as boomers grow up or mature, their home décor reflects their bold confidence demonstrating they are willing to take gutsy risks. Boomers no longer have to prove anything to the friends they entertain, so it’s all about scale and luxury material; a sense of detailing; a juxtaposition of contrasts, for example, hanging a huge crystal chandelier next to a very contemporary ceiling fan. For those who like to entertain at home, foyers are very important since they are the centrepieces for cocktail parties. After travelling all over the world, baby boomers now demonstrate a strong sense of lifestyle quality and individuality in their homes. Whether they are antique sculptures collected during their travels to far, exotic places, or heirloom pieces handed down from their ancestors, decorating for boomer homes is all about understanding who you are and showing your confidence that comes with age!

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Boomers Prefer Ageing in Place

By on October 6, 2008 in Homes, Lifestyle

According to The National Post, there is ample supply of luxury condos and homes that baby boomers will be able to live in and enjoy for the rest of their lives.

Typically, boomers are downsizing, but they still want a den, master bedroom, elegant bathroom, terrace and so on. Some of them also want a downtown location and amenities that let them re-live their youth, remain optimistic about the future and enjoy an active lifestyle. So luxury condos often include late-night room service, spa and fitness centres, party rooms and gourmet restaurants.

But some boomers are not downsizing at all. If grown children or grandchildren need to sleep overnight, downsizing could pose a problem. So a luxury condo with a large dining room to accommodate dinners with adult children or grandchildren might be viewed as a necessity for many boomers. For those who like to entertain, a large kitchen, living room or even a bar may be more important.

In Canada, there are just over 14 million boomers. This group accounts for almost 45 percent of the population and has more than 75 percent of our wealth. In as little as 10 years, according to Statistics Canada, this group could actually outnumber children under 15. The current life expectancy of Canadians is 82.5 years for women and 77.7 years for men.

Many industry experts are saying this is perhaps the most powerful driving force in the luxury homebuilding market today. This rivals even first-time buyers, foreign investors and affluent immigrants, who remain a powerful factor. It will be interesting to see whether the latest downturn of the financial markets around the world will have any impact on the real estate market, particularly on luxury condos.

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