Aging-in-Place refers to when the elderly or disabled stay in their own home for as long as possible as they age while taking steps to live as independently as possible. This is a process that involves planning, home modifications, support services, and other arrangements to ensure safety, comfort, and health.

All members of the Baby Boom Generation will be at least 65 years old by 2030, fueling the demand for aging-in-place construction. The Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University estimates that this year, 2025, baby boomers will account for 56% of residential remodeling spending and is expected to grow. According to AARP, a survey found that in 2021, over 75% of adults aged 50 and older wanted to stay in their homes as they age.

Many homes lack the necessary features to support older residents. A 2023 U.S. Census Bureau report found that only 40% of U.S. homes had basic "aging-ready" features, such as a step-free entryway and a first-floor bedroom and bathroom. Only 10% of homes overall had the necessary accommodations to support aging in place. Remodelers have reported a significant increase in requests for aging-in-place features. In a 2023 survey by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), 76% of remodelers said requests for these features had increased in the past five years.

Southeast Alaska has the highest growth population of seniors in the State. Alaska's overwhelming senior demographics have placed us in the national spotlight for eldercare. JEDC would like to determine the best way to support your business to be successful while embracing the immediate senior needs in our region. This survey will support our efforts towards improved education, services, and coordination of industries to support a senior market while creating a construction directory and other future services. This survey is supported by the Northern Southeast Alaska Building Industry Association (SEABIA), Southeast Regional Eldercare Coalition (SREC), Southeast Alaska Independent Living (SAIL), Alaska Association of Developmental Disabilities (AADD), and UAA College of Engineering.

Please aid us by taking a few minutes to complete the following survey. Please feel free to share the survey with your company employees and others in the construction field associated with SE Alaska.

Question Title

* 1. How familiar are you with universal design concepts and home modification for aging-in-place?

No clue at all, never heard of Aging-in-Place Basic understanding Expert, I can make any place Aging-in-Place savvy
Clear
i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

Question Title

* 2. Are you currently a licensed contractor?

Question Title

* 3. If yes, what kind of license(s) do you hold? (Select all that apply)

Question Title

* 4. What specialty tags do you hold? (Select all that apply)

Question Title

* 5. What value of Surety Bond do you carry, on average?

Question Title

* 6. In which communities do you provide your services? (check all that apply)

Question Title

* 7. Provide a typical turnaround time to respond to a project request or provide an estimate

Same Day Within the week Month
Clear
i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

Question Title

* 8. Are you a member of any builder's association?

Question Title

* 9. Are you a member of a union? If yes, which one?

Question Title

* 10. Do you market your skills to seniors or individuals with disabilities for home renovation?

Question Title

* 11. JEDC offers a loan program that can be utilized to grow local businesses who cannot obtain funding through traditional financial institutions. For contractors interested in the senior market, would accessing a loan program for project supplies be an incentive to accept home modification projects?

Question Title

* 12. The following is a list of possible home modifications associated with Aging-in-Place for seniors and the disabled. Which of the following project types do you include in your work? (Select all that apply)

Question Title

* 13. Would you like training on products related to aging-in-place home renovations? Such as Installation of stair lifts or grab bars. If there is a specific product of interest, please answer in the comment box below.

Question Title

* 14. What is your preferred delivery of continuing education courses?

Question Title

* 15. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) offers certification for Aging -in-Place Specialists. Are you CAPS (Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist) trained?

Question Title

* 16. What continuing education topics would you like to have available for contractors?

Question Title

* 17. Where are you currently getting your continuing education and training?

Question Title

* 18. Would you access an online product directory for items associated with aging-in-place? The directory would describe the product, installation process (as possible), costs, and available manufactures for items available in Alaska or available to be shipped to Alaska?

Question Title

* 19. What incentives would encourage you to join or maintain membership in a builder's association? Check all that apply.

Question Title

* 20. Would you be interested in attending a regional conference in SE Alaska that discusses concepts of Aging-in-Place, business growth, and our regional economy?

No Way! Not at all interested. Neutral Sign me up, Very Interested
Clear
i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

Question Title

* 21. How interested are you in sharing your knowledge by teaching construction-related trainings?

No way, I'm not a teacher! Neutral I would love to teach others about construction trades.
Clear
i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

Question Title

* 22. If you would like to consider teaching in the construction trades, please provide your contact information.

Question Title

* 23. How many apprentices do you support?

None 5 Apprentices 10 Apprentices
Clear
i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

Question Title

* 24. Alaska Medicaid offers an Environmental Modification service for elders and disabled adults to have home modification projects completed. Most projects range from $5,000-$40,000. Would you have interest in bidding and working on projects of this size and type?

Question Title

* 25. We will be providing follow-up information for those interested in learning more while also developing a public directory of contractors for the region. Please identify the areas that you support and have interest in.

Question Title

* 26. Please provide your contact information (company name, your name, phone, and email) to be added to a contact list.

Question Title

* 27. Please provide any additional comments, ideas, or thoughts about encouraging the construction industry to support an aging-in-place economy.

Thank you very much for your time and feedback. We look forward to sharing the findings of this survey and the creation of a directory of contractors who support our Senior economy in Se Alaska.

T