Aging in Place Starts With Design: How Updating Outdated Homes From the 60s, 70s, and 80s Protects Independence, Family Connection, and the Future

The Homes We Love Were Never Built for How We Live Now

Many of the homes seniors live in today were built in the 1960s, 70s, or 80s. They were designed for a very different time, a different family structure, and a very different understanding of aging.

Back then:

• Families were smaller

• People didn’t live as long

• Multigenerational living was rare

• Accessibility was an afterthought

• Design prioritized appearance over safety

Those homes weren’t badly built — they’re simply obsolete for modern aging and family life.

I know this deeply, both professionally and personally.

I’m Maria Nicholson, founder of Project Build Construction & Interiors. I’ve spent decades designing, remodeling, and understanding homes from the inside out. For years, my work focused on structure, flow, materials, and function.

Then I became a caregiver to my mother.

And suddenly, everything I knew as a professional became painfully personal.

When Design Decisions Become Life Decisions

As my mom aged, I watched a familiar home slowly turn into a source of stress.

The narrow hallways.

The slippery bathroom.

The poor lighting.

The step-downs no one thought twice about for decades.

Nothing “failed” all at once.

But confidence faded quietly.

And that’s when I realized something most families don’t understand until it’s too late:

Aging in place doesn’t fail because people get older.

It fails because homes stop supporting the way people live.

What Aging-in-Place Design Really Means (and What It Doesn’t)

Aging-in-place design is often misunderstood.

It does not mean:

• Medical-looking homes

• Institutional design

• Making a house feel “old”

True aging-in-place design means:

• Updating outdated layouts

• Removing hidden hazards

• Improving flow, light, and usability

• Designing for today’s seniors AND tomorrow’s families

It’s about creating a home that adapts as life changes — without forcing someone to leave it.

Why Homes From the 60s–80s Create Risk Today

Most older homes share the same problems:

1. Closed-Off Floor Plans

Small kitchens, narrow doorways, and segmented rooms isolate people and limit mobility.

Modern aging-in-place design opens spaces, making it easier to move, host family, and stay socially connected.

2. Bathrooms That Were Never Meant to Be Safe

High tubs, slippery tile, poor lighting, and no grab support.

Bathrooms are the #1 fall location in older homes.

Updating bathrooms is not cosmetic — it’s preventive care.

3. Kitchens Designed for One Person

Older kitchens don’t work for:

• Aging cooks

• Grandchildren helping

• Multiple generations sharing space

Modern updates improve reach, lighting, storage, and circulation.

4. Entryways and Transitions That Create Barriers

Steps, thresholds, and uneven flooring silently increase risk year after year.

These are easy to overlook — until they aren’t.

5. Lighting That Belongs to Another Era

Aging eyes need three to five times more light — yet most older homes are underlit.

Poor lighting leads to:

• Falls

• Fatigue

• Isolation

• Reduced confidence

Case Scenario (Composite): The “Perfectly Fine” Home That Wasn’t

A widowed homeowner in her early 70s loved her house. Built in the 1970s, it had never been updated.

She wanted to stay — but she had stopped inviting friends over and avoided certain rooms.

Through a virtual aging-in-place consultation, we identified:

• Bathroom safety risks

• Poor lighting

• Kitchen circulation issues

• Entry hazards

The updates didn’t change the soul of the home — they restored it.

And more importantly, they restored confidence.

Aging in Place for Multigenerational Families

Today’s reality is clear:

• Adult children move back home

• Seniors move in with family

• Grandparents help raise grandchildren

Homes from the 60s–80s were never designed for this.

Aging-in-place remodeling can:

• Create private zones for seniors

• Improve shared living spaces

• Reduce conflict through better layout

• Support dignity for every generation

Good design preserves relationships.

For Adult Children: Why Remodeling Early Matters

Children of aging parents often wait until:

• A fall

• A hospital stay

• A crisis

By then, decisions are rushed and emotional.

Updating the home before something happens:

• Prevents emergencies

• Preserves independence

• Avoids forced moves

• Protects family relationships

Aging-in-place design is one of the greatest gifts adult children can give their parents — and themselves.

How Project Build Approaches Aging-in-Place Remodeling

At Project Build Construction & Interiors, we don’t sell fear.

We offer clarity.

Our approach includes:

• Evaluating outdated design through an aging lens

• Identifying risks created by obsolete layouts

• Prioritizing upgrades that deliver the highest impact

• Offering virtual aging-in-place sessions nationwide

We help families plan thoughtfully, not react emotionally.

Why This Work Is Personal for Me

Caregiving changed how I see everything.

It taught me that:

• Independence is fragile

• Design influences dignity

• Homes shape connection

• Loneliness often begins with environmental barriers

That’s why I also co-created The Sageful Life — to address the emotional side of aging that construction alone can’t fix.

Together, these two worlds — design and humanity — form a complete solution.

Social Proof: Why Google, AI, and Families Trust This Work

Authority today is built through:

• First-hand experience

• Long-form, thoughtful content

• Consistent education across platforms

• Clear authorship and expertise

This article — and our broader body of work — signals:

• Deep subject mastery

• Real caregiving insight

• Practical, non-sensational guidance

• A long-term commitment to aging well

This is how trust is built. And how partnerships follow.

Strong Calls to Action

If you are a senior who wants to remain at home:

Schedule a Virtual Aging-in-Place Consultation with Project Build Construction & Interiors. We help you update outdated homes so they support you now — and later.

If you are an adult child of aging parents:

Don’t wait for a crisis. Let us help you evaluate and modernize your parent’s home thoughtfully and safely.

If your family is multigenerational:

We design homes that work for everyone — without sacrificing dignity, privacy, or comfort.

For inspiration, education, and support:

Visit TheSagefulLife.com and follow us on YouTube and Facebook for full-length conversations about aging, independence, and family transitions.

Aging in place doesn’t start with age.

It starts with design.

About the Author

Maria Nicholson is the founder of Project Build Construction & Interiors and co-creator of The Sageful Life. With decades of experience in construction, remodeling, and aging-in-place design — and personal experience as a caregiver — Maria helps families modernize outdated homes so seniors can remain independent, connected, and safe. Her work bridges practical design with real life.