10/6/2016 - High Point Market

Interior Design for an Aging Boomer Population

HIGH POINT, N.C., Oct. 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- An aging U.S. "Boomer" population poses new design challenges – and opportunities – for professional interior designers, according to organizers of High Point Market, the world's largest, biannual home furnishings trade show.

Partnering with the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), the High Point Market Authority prepares to address the unique needs of this growing demographic at a special Market kick-off event, set for Sat., Oct. 22.

The event is part of Market's CEU-accredited Design Viewpoints Series (DVS), and it includes an exclusive preview of an ASID-sponsored documentary "Thriving in Place: Designing Your Best Life, Now & Later". The screening will be paired with a panel discussion featuring the Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt 2013 People's Design Award winner Marianne Cusato, who hosts the documentary, ASID CEO Randy Fiser, and Certified Aging in Place (CAPS) designer Kerrie Kelly, ASID, CAPS of Kerrie Kelly Design Lab.

In a 2014 survey conducted by the AARP's Public Policy Institute (PPI) of individuals aged 50 and over, 87 percent of respondents indicated a preference to remain in their homes and communities as they experience extended lifespans.

Oxford Journal projects a 135 percent increase in this U.S. population segment between the years 2000 and 2050. The aptly described "me generation" of Baby Boomers expects to tackle its twilight years with greater degrees of independence than their forbears, impacting the way interior designers, home furnishings retailers and manufacturers address functional needs of aging individuals.

Following the Saturday noon DVS kick-off event, three, hour-long sessions will dive deeper into the aging-in-place opportunity, presenting High Point Market attendees with valuable insight and resources for designing aging-in-place-friendly spaces.

Access the full schedule of DVS events here.

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