NEW YORK — A 2024 survey from AARP found a majority of older Americans want to stay in their current homes as they age, but less than 4% of U.S. houses have basic accessibility features.

Older Americans are not looking for the typical solutions, such as clunky grab bars, motorized stair lifts or aluminum ramps, that are not aesthetically pleasing and remind them of their growing mobility challenges.

Ava Abramowitz, author of “The Architect’s Essentials of Negotiation,” said, “Many homes renovated to help people age are soulless.” Designers and homeowners are responding with solutions that feel warm and livable, including lighted handrails, wider kitchen aisles, offset hinges that open doors fully, rope-style secondary stair rails and ramps that blend into garden paths.

Abramowitz pointed out that modernized accessibility features are “quietly compliant with A.D.A. guidelines,” and added, “We wanted to show retired people can take care of themselves in a beautiful way.”

Larger projects include planning for pneumatic elevators, curbless showers with built-in benches, slip-resistant flooring and lever hardware that’s easier for arthritic hands. The throughline is that accessibility can be integrated without making a home feel clinical.

For real estate professionals, the takeaway is that clients increasingly want age-friendly features that preserve independence and style. Many upgrades can be done with modest changes rather than major remodels.

New York Times (10/31/25) Cheney, Dina

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