Does Universal Design help or hurt the economy?

 Does Universal Design help or hurt the economy?

Erin Harrigan

Universal Design is the concept of making homes, businesses, and public places more accessible for all people, regardless of age or ability. Although most commonly it is used to make places more wheelchair accessible, it is actually used to accommodate everyone. In PHS right now, there are many examples of Universal Design being used including handrails, similar floorplans on the first and second floors, and easy to clean materials. These elements can be transferred into homes to make them more accessible to owners. 

In recent years, the term Aging in Place has emerged in the residential architecture world. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines aging in place as "the ability to live in one's own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level”. Aging in place has many benefits including keeping the elderly safer, improving seniors’ quality of life, and maintaining independence. In addition, the elderly get to keep their own routines and way of life. Transitioning from home to home at an elderly age can be difficult, as “experts say it typically takes between three and six months for someone to adjust to assisted living.” Universal Design, whether through the nursing home industry, at home, or in our daily lives, has had a positive impact on the economy.

Nursing Home Industry- 

Nursing care facilities are a 137 billion dollar industry. Growing at a rate of 1.1% per year in the past 5 years, nursing homes produce jobs for nurses, revenue, and a place for the elderly to live in their later years of life. In-home caretakers also provide jobs. To keep these jobs available, new people have to be admitted into nursing homes. On average there are about 2 residents per 1 nurse in a nursing home, and nursing home facilities typically are 88% full, resulting in many job opportunities, important to economic growth. The map of the United States shows nursing jobs as a percent compared to the total workforce. In more rural areas, like North and South Dakota, nursing home jobs greatly contribute to employment opportunities.

As seen in the chart below, the population is currently shifting. Due to the Baby Boomer generation, currently ages 55-73, there will be more people requiring nursing homes than ever before. Modern medicine has also played a part, as the average life expectancy is 78 years. This number has increased by 10 years in the Baby Boomer’s lifetime. With millions facing the decision of putting their family members into assisted living, the nursing home industry is expected to grow in the upcoming years. 

Real Estate-

But what if people didn’t move into nursing homes? How would the overall economy be affected? Many simple examples of Universal Design can easily be incorporated into already existing buildings. Painting the walls a different color than the floor will increase the contrast between the two for the visually impaired. Having railings on all stairways and hallways create stability for those with motor disabilities. The use of easy to clean materials in the kitchen will keep the home decluttered as well as keep the overall space cleaner for those who are immunocompromised. 

As improvements to a home are made, it will increase the home value. As the home value increases, the resale value will be raised. According to Open Door, “updates and upgrades can add value to your home, especially in older homes that may have outdated features.” Due to the “wealth effect”, rising home prices will generally increase customer spending on goods and services and increase customer confidence. When customer confidence is high, the economy typically expands due to customers buying more big-ticket items (cars and homes) and durable goods. By using Aging in Place concepts to update homes, the economy will expand. 

As populations age and life expectancies grow, the need for adequate housing for all is a large issue. However, by making homes and care centers more accessible for people across all ages and abilities, people will be able to remain comfortable in their homes. The opportunity costs that Aging in Place architecture are great: on one hand, thousands of jobs in the nursing home industry would be lost, but on the other, the GDP would rise and consumer confidence and spending would increase. However, although either choice would benefit the economy, incorporating Universal Design into buildings, both private and public, will create a world where daily life is easy to navigate. Using these design elements will both benefit the housing market and quality of life and create new jobs for in-home caretakers and Universal Designers in place of nursing home jobs that may be lost. 

Works Cited

“4 Benefits of Aging in Place.” Visiting Angels, 7 Apr. 2020, www.visitingangels.com/knowledge-center/care-options/4-benefits-of-aging-in-place/348#:~:text=Aging in place tends to,of contracting a serious illness.

“8 Critical Factors That Influence a Home's Value.” Opendoor, 19 Sept. 2019, www.opendoor.com/w/blog/factors-that-influence-home-value.

“Benefits and Drawbacks of Rising House Prices: Economics.” tutor2u, 14 Sept. 2020, www.tutor2u.net/economics/reference/benefits-and-drawbacks-of-rising-house-prices.

“The Economic Benefits of Improved Accessibility to Transport Systems.” ITF Roundtable Reports, 2017, doi:10.1787/9c73ac17-en.

Pettinger, Tejvan, and Elisa Robinson. “How the Housing Market Affects the Economy.” Economics Help, 12 Dec. 2019, www.economicshelp.org/blog/21636/housing/how-the-housing-market-affects-the-economy/#:~:text=In summary:,can contribute to economic recession).

Vogelsmeier, Amy, and Jill Scott-Cawiezell. “Achieving Quality Improvement in the Nursing Home.” Journal of Nursing Care Quality, vol. 26, no. 3, 2011, pp. 236–242., doi:10.1097/ncq.0b013e31820e15c0.

Willard, Gregory, et al. “Moving a Parent to Assisted Living: 12 Strategies to Ease the Transition.” Working Daughter, 23 Feb. 2019, www.workingdaughter.com/when-you-move-a-parent-to-assisted-living/.