In reality, the phrase "their own homes" means different things to different people. To most, it means staying put in the house they've lived in for years. But for others, it's a smaller dwelling in a warmer climate. Still others, though, want larger places, or least houses of the same size, where the weather's comfortable year 'round.

Some of us, however, want houses big, small and in-between closer to our children and grandchildren. And yet others are satisfied to move into communities offering some sort of assistance and more of it as they grow older and less able to do the things the rest of us take for granted.

Clearly, aging Americans do not fall into a neat package. And builders, product manufacturers and service providers must to do a better job meeting their needs.

Toward that end, the National Center for Seniors' Housing Research hopes to help the building community develop innovative solutions to accommodate the diverse lifestyles of our rapidly aging population.

Funded in Congress late last year and about ready to become operational, the Center's goal is "to enable older Americans to continue to live comfortably, safely and independently in their own homes," says Liza Bowles, president of the NAHB Research Center.

"We want to achieve that goal through research, data collection and analysis, outreach activities and alliances with other senior-focused organizations and through a massive communication campaign."

Based in Upper Marlboro, Md., the NAHB Research Center is the 35-year-old, not-for-profit research arm of the National Association of Home Builders. The Center was granted the authority to establish the Seniors' Housing Research Center by federal lawmakers.

"With Baby Boomers on the cusp of retirement, this program could not have come at a better time," said Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., in whose district the center is located and who is credited with securing federal funding. "Providing safe homes and good information about products designed for seniors will ensure that their golden years are not tarnished."

According to the Census Bureau, the 60-plus age group will double by 2025, when there will be an estimated 82 million seniors.

Bowles has several undertakings oops, wrong word for seniors; how about activities in mind for the new seniors' center. Among other things, she wants to launch a contractor certification program to promote industry involvement, hold roundtables with seniors and their adult children to identify key needs and ways to address them, and build research houses to show how they can age right along with their occupants.

The NAHB Research Center already publishes a directory of accessible building products to help builders and consumer alike meet the needs of an aging and physically limited population. Now in its tenth edition, the directory has been fine-tuned, expanded and constantly updated to the point of where it now "the standard guide" to products that make houses more functional and livable.

The volume is a wealth of very specific product information, with a focus on the kitchen, laundry and bathrooms, and including appliances, fixtures, windows and doors. There also is information about climate control, gas shut-off valves, ramps and stair lifts. Data includes specific measurements, model numbers, pictures and product descriptions, and contact information.

"It is important to provide users with a wide variety of options because today's older adults are not a homogeneous group," Bowles says.

The directory cost $5 plus $5 for postage and handling. Call 800-638-8556, or order on-line at www.nahbrc.org.

Published: March 20, 2000

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When Lew Sichelman first started writing about housing in 1969, he was the youngest real estate writer in the country. Now, 37 years later, he's one of the oldest -- and most decorated. He has been rated the top housing columnist in the country by the National Association of Realtors as well as by his peers in the National Association of Real Estate Editors. Indeed, NAREE has recognized his work on numerous occasions. One year - due to his advancing age, he can't recall which one - he earned top honors in the annual NAREE Journalism Contest in three out of the four major writing categories. It was the first time one writer has won so many NAREE awards in a single year. Known for his ability to make even the most difficult topics understandable, Sichelman also has been honored by the National Association of Home Builders and the Mortgage Bankers Association. He began providing in-depth coverage of and consumer-oriented information about housing and housing finance at the Washington Daily News, where he was real estate editor. He held that same position for nine more years at the Washington Star, which purchased the News in 1972. The Star, a so-called "writer's newspaper" which also had the misfortune of being an evening paper, was put out of its misery in 1981, and Sichelman, who had begun self-syndicating his column in 1978, decided to become a full-time columnist. Today, his column, "The Housing Scene," is distributed by United Media to newspapers throughout the country. He also is on the staff of National Mortgage News, an independent newspaper which is considered the bible of the mortgage business. And he writes for numerous other publications, including MarketWatch.com, where he answers readers questions once a week, Sports Illustrated (don't ask), RealtyTimes.com, BigBuilder and others. Sichelman is married, the father of five and grandfather of eleven.