Arleeda, houses retrofitted to copy the institutional look of a nursing home may be a harder sell, but the concepts of universal design are meant to enhance the usability of a home for all ages, sizes and abilities and can include as many high end designer features as you would like to incorporate. Who wouldn't want wider halls and doorways (easier to move furniture), beautiful fully accessible wet rooms (think of a luxury spa), exterior entry ways designed to eliminate or minimize steps (easier to bring home groceries or for families with small kids), and sturdy hand rails and exterior lighting.

I am speechless!!! How can a retirement community NOT install them???

I think aging in place is a bad idea, better to sell house while it is still in good condition and move to a senior community. Houses retrofitted for old folks are hard for the heirs to sell.

OT functions
Good idea and we did it. But there is also a concern for life safety In case of fire and loss of power we could be trapped. The Life Safety Code which is applicable in Illinois and many other states requires a door release not more 48" above the floor and no more than 15lbs (8.5 lbs in Illinois) to open the door. An overhead garage door does not meet this requirement wnen there is no power.

Can you put a ramp in your garage to enter the home? Won't be visible to the community!

All sounds good BUT we live in a 55+ community and all they care about is every home looking the same, in other words, aesthetics. We put in a portable ramp and they threatened a fine. No railings permitted. Our patio has a drop off. No railing or wall or anything to protect it. One place we looked at, I was told this was an active adult community, No accessible devices or improvements allowed. I told that association president I wanted to live there because there must never be falls, sickness aging, etc.