Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
As baby boomers and older consumers look to the future, many are searching for ways to improve their safety and quality of life without leaving their lifelong homes.
The May issue of Hardware Retailing magazine takes a look at the aging-in-place movement, projects you can sell to customers and the many ways you can learn about aging in place to be an informed retailer. To read the full article, click here.
Included below is a compilation of all of the resources you can access for more information on aging in place and universal design. An example of what one retailer has done to create an aging-in-place awareness movement in his community is provided as well.
National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) provides a wealth of information for you to apply to your business. To become an expert in aging in place, look no further than the Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS) designation program. To locate remodelers and contractors who specialize in aging in place, visit the directory of Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists.
AARP Resources
For easy access to information about creating a livable community, visit aarp.org/livable-communities. Here you will find a wealth of information from AARP, including best practices, strategies, research and more. One great tool you can utilize and share with your employees and customers is the AARP HomeFit Guide. This guide was designed to help people stay in their homes for life. With do-it-yourself projects detailed room-by-room, you can help your customers move in the right direction.
Step Smart Naples, Sunshine Ace Hardware
One retailer who has been working within his community to spread awareness and help prevent dangerous falls among the older population in Naples, Florida, is Michael Wynn, president of Sunshine Ace Hardware. Wynn and other community partners have worked together to create and establish Step Smart Naples, an awareness campaign focused on educating community members on falls and how to prevent them.
In addition to create a page designated to Step Smart Naples on the Sunshine Ace Website, there is also easy access to resources they created to go along with the campaign. Check out the Step Smart Naples Home Audit Checklist. In addition to this helpful guide, the campaign includes an informative video with tips on how to prevent falls.
