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Franchisee is a certified aging-in-place specialist in Colorado Springs

The Colorado Springs Gazette recently featured DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen franchise owner Michael Pinkerton in a story about designing kitchens and baths with the special needs of seniors in mind.

The article by Maria St. Louis-Sanchez says Pinkerton, who recently purchased a DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen franchise in Colorado Springs, knows his senior customers want to live in their homes unassisted for as many years as possible. Here’s an excerpt from the “Gazette” article:

A Colorado Springs home builder said he is transforming his business by focusing on seniors who want to renovate their homes to age in place.

Michael Pinkerton, who recently purchased a DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen franchise, 3205 N Hancock Ave, Colorado Springs, said he loves to give his senior customers the chance to stay in their homes as long as possible as they age.

"I'd say that at least 30 to 40 percent of my customers have aging-in-place in mind when they come see me," he said. "We try to accommodate them so they can stay in their home as long as possible."

Changing demographics in Colorado and the United States show that his business focus could be a solid one. The baby boomers began turning 65 in 2011 and by 2029, 20 percent of the U.S. population will be 65 years or older.

Also, according to a 2011 AARP survey, almost 90 percent of people older than 65 said they wanted to stay in their home as long as possible, and four out of five of those believed their home is the place where they will always live.

Pinkerton is a certified aging-in-place specialist, a special designation for builders who have attended classes and know the regulations for remodeling a home to fit disability standards. While there are many builders who can make a new home to those standards, it's tougher for customers to find someone who can renovate their existing homes to their needs, he said. Most of his customers have no desire to move to a new place, which is why they seek him out.

"At this stage in their lives, they aren't buying new homes," he said. "One of the major impacts has been the recession we are just coming out of. People are realizing they want to play it safe and stay in the home they have paid off and make it fit their lifestyle instead of starting new again."

DreamMaker Colorado Springs builder

 

Some of his most requested renovations including widening doorways to allow wheelchair access, modifying showers to allow wheelchairs, walk-in bathtubs and staircase lifts.

"Most of the time, it's people who aren't having problems now, but they see issues in the near future," he said.

Before buying the franchise, Pinkerton owned and operated Pinkerton Homes in Colorado Springs. The business also does traditional renovations along with aging-in-place modifications. Pinkerton has been building and remodeling homes for more than 25 years and said he started building homes in high school.

When the renovations are complete, he said his customers are happy at the newfound freedom his renovations have given them.

"It gives them the freedom to stay in their homes, and sometimes the freedom to bathe on their own, which is huge with it comes to their dignity."

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