No matter what your age, the main benefit of redesigning or planning for a new home, is to be safe, secure, comfortable, maintain your independence and stay in a familiar environment, close to family and friends.
                                 
   The term Aging in Place refers to the idea that people do not have to leave from their homes in order to accommodate their changing or aging needs.  Since all our needs and abilities change over time, regardless if it is an aging or physically challenged parent, spouse, or child, more often than not modifications to a home will be necessary to meet the need or a move to another environment will be necessary.   Much of the time it is less expensive to redesign for the need instead of finding a home or environment to meet the need.

There are four different types of design categories to consider when planning for changing needs.  
Many of these modifications can be made over time and as the budget allows.

Universal Design – are the design principles applied to environments with the idea of making things comfortable and convenient for as many different people at as many stages of life as possible.  These principals can be planned for when building a new home or during a remodel of an existing home.  They add value to the market appeal of the home. 
Accessibility - are modifications that address the specific need or disability of an individual and incorporates many of the principles of Universal Design.  This remodeling must comply with state and local building codes.
Adaptability – addresses problems of individual differences and changes in capability over time.  It is changes that can be made quickly without having to completely redesign the home.
Visitability – is the minimum level of accessibility that will allow a person using a wheelchair basic access to the ground floor of a home.