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Creating an age-ready home should be a priority for the over 90% of people between 50-65 who MetLife Mature Marketing Institute reports want to stay in their homes in retirement.  As boomers stream past 65 at 10,000 a day, builders at the 2013 International Builders Show in Las Vegas were talking in various forums about how they can be better prepared to meet the needs of this market.  The Aging in Place Product Tour gave vendors an opportunity to showcase the products they believe both builders and consumers should take notice of in order to create a more enabling home.  Here are some of the more interesting products and what gives them the edge over the competition:

Healthcraft Invisia Collection

The usual suspects of an aging in place strategy are properly-placed, well-made grab bars, installed before you really think you need them which for most people, unfortunatly, is usually about the time they are flat on the bathroom floor, staring up at the ceiling.

AIP Edge: Dual function grab bars 

Kohler: Generators

Truly clever on Kohler's part, but a generator makes perfect sense in a home that could see the eventual use of medical equipment, 

AIP Benefit: boast start-up time of

Lowes Gatehouse Custom Access Ramp System

 

As of January 2013, the Gatehouse Ramp is available in 200 stores across the US as well as online.

AIP Edge: Beyond the obvious of providing a more seemless entry, assembly is such that a ramp can be removed and remounted in case of a move. 

Cost: Lowes has an online tool to build a customized virtual ramp using .

 

 

Marvin Windows

 

Progress Lighting

 

Velux ® Sun Tunnel

 

AIP Benefit: Creating natural light in spaces that may be awkward for the standard skylight, the Velux ® Sun Tunnel

 

Cost:

 

Schlage

 

 

Crown

 

Best Bath Lifetime Shower

 

AIP Benefit: With age comes change in degree of mobility, .  The Lifetime Shower