Changing demographics, rising health care costs, and disability-related regulations all are driving a movement to help people stay in their own homes for as long as possible. PTs are an important resource in these efforts.

"I don't know anybody who yearns to live in a facility as they age," observes Dina Leyden, PT. "They just want to live in their home."

That pretty much sums up the goals of accessible home design and the aging-in-place movement.

In addition to the emotional component, many demographic, financial, and regulatory factors are contributing to this trend. The aging of the Baby Boom generation, rising health care costs, pressure to reduce hospital stay length, and technology advances all have led to a "perfect storm" that has created opportunities and incentives to help people remain in their own homes.