Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - February 20, 2014, Winnipeg, Manitoba C M Y K PAGE A8 For more information about the Manitoba Home Builders or for a list of our membership, visit: www. homebuilders. mb. ca/ M A N I T O B A H O M E B U I L D E R S ’ A S S O C I A T I O N .. S I N C E 1 9 3 7 It ’ s wh at peace of mi nd looks li ke WHAT WE DO THE MHBA’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STANDING COMMITTEES OVERSEE THE WORK OF THE ASSOCIATION IN AREAS AS DIVERSE AS TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND TRAINING, RENOVATION, THE ENVIRONMENT, URBAN ISSUES, WARRANTY AND MARKETING. THROUGH THE VOLUNTARY EFFORTS OF ITS MEMBERS, THE MHBA SERVES BOTH CONSUMERS AND PRODUCERS OF HOUSING BY PROMOTING QUALITY, AFFORDABILITY AND CHOICE IN HOUSING FOR ALL MANITOBANS. PROUD MEMBERS OF MANITOBA HOME BUILDERS’ ASSOCIATION DELIVERING MANITOBA HOME OWNERS PEACE OF MIND IN EVERY NEW HOME AND RENOVATION. IT IS THE MISSION OF THE MANITOBA HOME BUILDERS’ ASSOCIATION TO BE THE VOICE OF THE RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IN MANITOBA; TO PROVIDE A FORUM FOR THE ONGOING EDUCATION OF THE MEMBERSHIP WITH RESPECT TO TECHNOLOGY AND BUSINESS PRACTICES; TO ACHIEVE AN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THE MEMBERSHIP CAN OPERATE SUCCESSFULLY; AND TO PROMOTE AFFORDABILITY AND CHOICE IN HOUSING FOR ALL MANITOBANS. By Todd Lewys For the Free Press I t’s no secret: Canada’s baby boomer population is aging. Today, the baby boom generation – those born from 1946 to 1964 – are either considered seniors, or are on the verge of achieving that designation. As the years progress, Canada’s aging population will need a place to live as they pass from their fifties, into their sixties and beyond. With assisted seniors’ communities on the rise and seniors’ homes often fifilled to capacity, other options are being explored to accommodate aging Canadians. One of those options is a concept called ‘ aging in place’. Simply put, aging in place means providing seniors with the ability to live in their home for as long as confidently and comfortably possible. Achieving that goal entails using universal design concepts – such as wider doorways, main- floor bedrooms, modified kitchens ( lower counters, wider aisles), lower light switches, levered door handles and bathrooms with walk- in showers and bathtubs – to enhance livability. The end result is that seniors would be able to live in their homes for a longer period of time, allowing for a better quality of life. While Manitoba’s provincial government has a program on its radar, provinces such as Ontario have already enacted programs designed to help baby boomers age in place. Called the Healthy Homes Renovation Tax Credit Program, seniors in Ontario over the age of 65 can claim 15 per cent of their expenses on renovations up to $ 10,000. The time for such a program in Manitoba has come, says Brian Arnold, operations manager of Trikor Builders. “ We’re not quite at a critical point yet, but the demand for renovations to help seniors age in place is going to be huge. That demand is only going to continue to grow as our population gets older,” he said. “ It’s my hope that the provincial government will get on board soon. They’re already doing what they can to help seniors in Ontario, and it’s been a big help.” He added that the aging in place concept makes total sense. “ People would much rather stay in their home than go to a seniors’ community or a seniors’ home,” said Arnold. “ Staying in their home for as long as they can would benefit everyone. They’ll be happier living in a place they’re familiar with, there’ll be less stress on seniors’ homes and taxpayers will save money.” Grant Sakiyama of Sakiyama Construction agrees with his fellow renovator. “ With so many baby boomers aging, the aging in place concept is a natural,” Sakiyama said. “ If they can, people want to stay in their homes. Right now, we’re doing some renovations in that area. But make no mistake about it – those types of renovations are going to become a specialty area in the years to come.” As for the cost of the renovations that might be required to make a home more livable, the price tag associated with each project will vary, says Arnold. “ Each project is going to be different because not everyone will have the same needs. For example, a project that requires only minor modifications to a home might cost $ 10,000, whereas a major project might cost $ 100,000,” Arnold said. “ The sky’s the limit, but with our network of RenoMark renovators ( which can be accessed through the Manitoba Home Builders’ Association website), people can rest assured they’ll get the straight goods on what they need, and what they don’t.” Sakiyama says many of those modifications are reasonably simple to make. “ For example we can widen doorways from 30 to 36 inches and aisles in kitchens from 36 inches to 40 or 42 inches to improve accessibility,” he explained. “ We can also lower light switches, countertops and vanities to make homes more user- friendly, as well. Even doing little things like changing door knobs to levered handles and putting in LED lighting that’s easier on the eyes can make a big difference. Most importantly, those types of modifications aren’t that costly to do.” In more extreme cases where seniors have more profound mobility issues, stairs might need to be replaced with ramps for wheelchairs, or a lift might need to be installed. Modifying a bathroom to install a walkin shower or bathtub or to increase the turning radius within for wheelchairs is also more costly. Still, those renovations are well worth the effort, says Arnold. “ They might enable people to live comfortably in the home they know and love for five years, even more,” he said. “ Not only can you enjoy the home longer, you can make it more contemporary and gain equity at the same time.” If you’re a baby boomer and haven’t considered such renovations, you should, says Sakiyama. “ Done properly, they will improve safety, make your home more livable and accessible, and you’ll be able to live in your home for a longer period of time,” he said. “ Your quality of life will be that much better, and that’s what it’s all about – enjoying a high quality of life for as long as possible.” To access a list of RenoMarkcertified renovators, visit the MHBA’s website at www. homebuilders. mb. ca. ‘ Aging in place’ renovations make sense for baby boomers Brian Arnold, operations manager of Trikor Builders, in one of Trikor’s homes under construction in Harbour View South. 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