RL Mace Universal Design Institute

We have long explored the advantages that home technology can bestow on older adults. From family communications, to reminders, list making, weather and news, security and much more, home tech can be a difference maker, especially when used in a home that has age friendly features.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) might play a much bigger role; in health and home health, socialization and companionship, safety, security and beyond. But the introduction of AI comes with many concerns as well: privacy, replacement of people with machines, assurance that all actions are in the best interest of residents, and oversight.

Check out this article, which takes a look at many of these issues. https://aginginamerica.news/2026/04/14/ai-enters-the-elder-care-arena/

This comes from Nicole Julia, an occupational therapist and longtime advocate of Universal Design. She completed her doctoral research in accessible and Universal Design and recently launched a Kickstarter for her children’s book, Flora’s Fish‑For‑All Pier, which introduces disability allyship and universal/accessible design concepts, through a story about a flamingo who rallies her town to build a universal fishing pier where everyone belongs.

Here is the direct link to the kickstarter where you can learn all about the book:

Flora's Fish-For-All-Pier | Printed in the USA Empowering kids to be disability allies and community builders: because we all deserve to participate fully.

We have long pointed out the benefits of bidets, primarily for people who have difficulty in taking care of their toilet hygiene adequately. That is still true.
And while bidets have been extensively used worldwide for many years, they finally seem to have gone mainstream in the US. People likely recognize the general improved comfort, convenience, and cleaning that bidets convey.
Seems like a good UD product to me: serving people with and without impairments greatly. We haven't surveyed bidets for relative ease of use, simplicity of operation, and ease of installation; so we can't offer any product recommendations, but we can only hope that more of us find a way to use them.

https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-bidet-toilet-seat-washlet/

Doug Mahoney, the home improvement expert at Wirecutter, discusses the renovations and best modifications to consider.

https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/wirecutter-show-podcast-20260311-aging-in-place/

This is a useful overview of many opportunities to make home safety improvements around your home.

Wirecutter: New Product Reviews, Deals, and Buying Advice Wirecutter tests and reviews the best tech, appliances, gear, and more. You can trust our veteran journalists, scientists, and experts to find the best stuff.

Check out UDI's Winter newsletter!
https://conta.cc/4rHqBmk

Five People in Their 60s, 70s, and 80s Share How They Plan to Age at Home

The first sentence of this article mentions job #1 for older adults thinking about their retirement housing: plan ahead. Not all of these households did that. And they all weren't all thinking about their home features either.
You'll read about affordability challenges, difficulties with home maintenance, and dealing with social isolation. Some people moved to more affordable locations, some took advantage of local free home modification and home repair programs, others opted for shared housing to dramatically reduce monthly expenses.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/seniors-share-aging-in-place-plans/

Did you miss the session for applying for AARP's 2026 Community Challenge Grant? Here's a video of the Q&A session hosted by Director of Livable Communities, Mike Watson. Get your applications in by March 4th, 2026 5pm EST!

https://virtualevents.aarp.org/2026GrantWebinar/en?CMP=EMC-DSM-NLC-OTH-LC-2250600-2281501-9964710-NA-02042026-LivableCommunities-f2-webinar-IMG-ALL-Community-&encparam=QK5%2BnwU9c1%2FwhePwhoO7rGyqWvQAKLyJDYhfC0QoizI%3D