Home accessibility continues to evolve

The home accessibility market is still relatively young, but it has come a long way in that short time. Most importantly, the HME industry is increasingly taking ownership of it, says Jim Greatorex, vice president of Waterloo, Iowa-based VGM’s Live at Home division. 

“Over the past seven years, 75% of DMEs now have a stand-alone home accessibility business,” Greatorex said. “They have created a home access industry, with in-house contractors and subcontractors, including carpentry.” 

As more providers get involved in home accessibility, they have gained more expertise, more certification and professionalism, Greatorex said.  

“This industry will grow rapidly, with the next two years key to the next level – getting the medical industry and home accessibility industry to work together, where home access is another facet of home care.” 

The Live at Home organization is striving to create best practices and a big picture plan that Greatorex concedes will take some time.  

“Once the medical community realizes that there are qualified contractors out there, they will want to get on board,” he said. 

Market data confirms that home accessibility is on an upward trajectory, as Michele Popelka, brand president of Bartlett, Tenn.-based Next Day Access reports that the home accessibility market is projected to grow significantly, from $25.6 billion in 2023 to $39.1 billion by 2032. 

Leading the key market drivers is the aging population, which the U.S. Census and World Health Organization project will grow to 77 million over 65 in 2030, a 37.5% increase in just a decade. 

Establishing credibility 

With more HME providers creating stand-alone home accessibility operations, establishing a market presence and professional credibility are critical to success. Popelka lists key ingredients as partnering with reputable suppliers and emphasizing certification from prominent organizations like the National Association of Home Builders or the National Association of Home Accessibility Professionals. 

Community engagement is another important element to credibility, Popelka said. 

“Focus on hosting educational workshops, participating in local events, and collaborating with healthcare providers and advocacy groups,” she said. “Demonstrating a commitment to the community enhances your reputation as a dedicated expert.” 

One example, she said, is to organize seminars on fall prevention and safe home modifications for seniors. 

Specific certifications, such as Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) or Certified Environmental Access Consultant (CEAC, administered by VGM’s Live at Home) “demonstrate a commitment to continuing education and overall excellence in home accessibility,” said Dan Radacosky, regional vice president of sales-west region for Hopkinsville, Ky-based EZ-ACCESS. 

Gary Caldwell, regional vice president of sales for EZ-ACCESS’ east region, advises providers to “work with suppliers to make sure they are staying up to date on not only the installation training, but also conducting the proper evaluations at the home to determine what is needed now and in the future.” 

Showcasing the tangible impact of full accessibility through case studies, testimonials, and success stories is an effective strategy, Popelka said.  

“Share how your solutions have improved the quality of life for individuals and families in the local community,” she said. 

Relieving caregivers 

When studying the home accessibility market, the focus is on products and services to help patients. Yet lost in that scenario is the stress on family caregivers, said David Carson, CEO of West Palm Beach, Fla.-based CareGlider. 

“Protecting caregivers is our mission,” he said. “It started five years ago when an injured caregiver came to me and said the injury came from helping her husband.” 

Caregivers are at risk for a plethora of injuries, Carson said, including back, shoulder, knee, wrist and hand, neck, foot and ankle, repetitive motion injuries and falls. 

“The stress and strain of maneuvering is difficult – people don’t realize patient weight strains the shoulders,” Carson said. “It’s day in and day out lifting a patient over thresholds.” 

To solve the problem, Carson is developing the CareGlider wheelchair, designed to convert a manual chair into a power chair without adding much weight to it. 

“Five years later we’re 90% through FDA inspection and beta testing with users,” he said. “We’re ready to take orders, but not ready for production.” 

Tech evolution 

Aside from the structural modifications that constitute home accessibility, the market is also being influenced by growth in technological devices to help residents live safer, more comfortable lives. 

“AI-driven assistive devices and smart home technologies are enhancing the quality of life for individuals with disabilities,” Popelka said. “These innovations include voice-activated systems, automated lighting, and remote health monitoring devices that enable seniors to live independently for longer.” 

Even stalwarts like ramps are undergoing transformation to make them more aesthetically appealing, Radacosky said. 

“Generally speaking, ramps are more functional than aesthetic, but EZ-ACCESS has incorporated aesthetic aspects into its designs, including architectural (brushed) finish on handrails, angled handrails, and colored powder coating options.”