By: Nancy Thompson
Boomers are happy where they live and like what their community offers, enjoy being near friends and family, and appreciate access to shopping, social opportunities and healthcare, according to a new poll from AARP released today. Just like previous generations, they plan to stay in their homes and communities. More than eight in ten Boomers and effectively nine in ten people 65+ report they want to stay in their current homes for as long as possible according to the poll released in conjunction with the unveiling of two contest winning room makeovers. The makeovers showcase how two of a home's key rooms can be updated not only to be fresher and more appealing but also to be easier to use.

Most Boomers already have a few basic elements in their homes that can help the homes age gracefully with their occupants, the poll reports. Eight in ten Boomers and almost nine in ten Americans over 65 have homes with two of the key elements of comfortable living at any age or ability. Eighty-two percent have a full bath on the main level of their home and 81% have a bedroom or a room on the main floor that could become a bedroom if they were injured or wanted to downsize from multi-floor living. The poll, Home and Community Preferences of the 45+ population, a poll of 1,616 people, was conducted by phone July 16-25, 2010.

"Far too often a person has to break a leg or contract a serious illness to discover that the home they love could restrict their comfortable lifestyle," said Elinor Ginzler, AARP Senior Vice President for Livable Communities. "A few tweaks to key rooms and entrances when boomers and empty nesters are already remodeling can make a standard home more user-friendly for anyone at any age or ability."

To prove that point, AARP launched its "Recession Remodel" room makeover contest last year intending to show that even in a recession, bathrooms and kitchens can be updated not only to be more attractive but also to make the home more comfortable and efficient now and in the future. The final makeovers of the winning rooms -- a Snohomish, Washington bath and a farm house kitchen outside Charlotte, North Carolina  are being revealed today by AARP with before and after photos and videos at www.aarp.org/remodel. Both makeovers employed universal design, a design approach that assures a room or home is easily used by anyone of any age or ability.

On weekends, Washington state contest winner Mary Waggoner cares for her 84 and 83 year-old parents. But her cramped bathroom didn't fit her mother's wheel chair and the traditional shower/tub combination posed a safety hazard for her father. The award winning renovation by AARP revealed today removed these barriers and introduced soft colors, whimsical inlaid tile artwork, a walk-in shower, a sink counter that's comfortable either seated or standing, a heated non-slip floor, glare free lighting, and enough automation to delight a child and serve an adult of any age or ability.

AARP renovated the winning kitchen and bath with generous volunteer help from local designers and contractors and the assistance of building and appliance suppliers and manufacturers and local chapters of The American Society of Interior Designers and the National Association of Homebuilders' Remodelers Council in both locations. For their design and volunteered services the Seattle design and construction team, Penates Design, IDI, llc and Chermak Construction, Inc., were named national 2010 Dream Home Award Winners for Community Service.

"We could never have taken on these projects without the local teams' outstanding work and the generous support from all the companies involved," said Ginzler. "These makeovers demonstrate what homeowners can do when they finally get around to remodeling. With a little extra thought and design help, their new room can not only be more comfortable and reflect their style, it can make them ready for whatever surprises life may bring."

In Washington, assistance also was provided by AAA Kartak Glass & Closet, Inc, Alexander Lighting, AllPoints Heating & Fireplace, Ambiente European Tile Design, American Olean, Avonite Surfaces, Burnham Insulation & Shelving, Decorative Materials International Ltd, Designtex, Designs by Mara, Double K Plumbing, Dreamscape Lighting Mfg, Inc., Dunn Lumber, Fine Line Pacific, Inc, Ginger, Green Dog Enterprises, Inc., Hansgrohe, Honey Bucket, Interior Trends, Juno Lighting Group, Liberty Hardware, Lutron Electronics, Inc, Master Source, Ponte Giulio USA, Radiant Plus, Robert Allen, Sound Design Cabinetry, Inc., Tenhulzen Painting, The Patch Company, LLC, TOTO USA, LLC, and Wirecraft.