Fixing to Stay: A National Survey on Housing and Home Modification Issues

As Americans grow older they want to remain in their own homes, and many say they are modifying their residences to enable them to do so. More than 8 in 10 respondents age 45 and over (including many Baby Boomers) - and more than 9 in 10 of those 65 and over - say they would like to stay where they are for as long as possible. Even if they should need help caring for themselves, 82% would prefer not to move from their current homes.

The nationwide telephone survey of 2,000 midlife and older Americans, conducted in November-December 1999, also found that:

• 70% of those able to make changes have made at least one modification to make their homes easier to live in
• 85% have made simple changes to their homes
• 67% of those making changes or modifications to their homes believe doing so will allow them to live there longer than they would have otherwise been able to - most for another 10 or more years.