WASHINGTON, DC – HomesRenewed is working toward a shared goal of increasing the number of houses updated for aging in place. Rather than the stock phrase “aging in place” we call it to “prepare for life throughout the modern lifespan.” Updating homes is our focus but we, as a country, need to update our institutions, programs and mindsets to solve the array of issues facing our aging population. We need solutions recognizing longevity and the huge number of middle class Americans who need help.
Three Point Strategy
Of course there is more detail and nuance, but HomesRenewed has a basic three part plan:
- Shape current legislation: The Senate Committee on Agingand the re-authorization of the Older Americans Act. HomesRenewed submitted a letter on falls prevention at the request of the Senate Aging Committee. We are following up with staff meetings on the Hill.
- Outreach to legislators: In jurisdictions where there are incentive programsfor home updates, we are working with congressional representatives to build on their constituents’ interest by introducing federal legislation. This issue can propel them to leadership positions among voters.
- Introduce an “Affordable Aging” agenda for the 2020 presidential campaign: Growing evidence and media coverage show that large numbers of older Americans are not prepared for retirement or the modern lifespan. HomesRenewed sees updating homes as a linchpin to reducing the costs of aging.
Help us craft the HomesRenewed agenda. We are collecting aging statements from candidates now.* Get started now by sending us candidate statements AND YOUR ideas. YOU can be the committee taking on this important task. No one else is going to do this. Join the committee.
- Platform examples from Cory Booker & Amy Klobuchar
See previous Medtrade Monday articles on Aging in Place
- Are the Elderly Holding on to Their Houses Too Long?
- Harvard Report Sounds Warning on Senior Housing
Louis Tenenbaum is founder of the HomesRenewed Coalition, a member organization driving incentives to update homes for Aging in Place. See Louis’s white paper: Aging in Place 2.0 published by the MetLife Mature Market Institute.