Can Your Home Stylishly Age-in-Place? This Naples Listing Shows How It’s Done

Accessibility meets luxury design in a home built for the long term.

By: Melissa Dittmann Tracey

The majority of adults over age 50 say they want to remain in their current homes as they grow older. But homes age, too. So the question becomes: Will both the homeowner and home age well together?

In too many cases, the answer is no.

Stairs can become difficult for aging joints. Narrow hallways may not accommodate wheelchairs. And everyday tasks—like reaching storage, cooking or even showering—can become more challenging over time.

Traditional aging-in-place updates like grab bars, stair lifts and ramps can help solve some accessibility challenges. But too often, they can feel like afterthoughts. They may be functional, but visually disconnected from the home’s design.

A newly designed lakefront home in Naples, Fla., is rethinking that approach. It blends accessibility, multigenerational living and modern design into a single cohesive aesthetic.

Designed by Sandra Oltmanns of Beautifully Accessible, Inc., the 3,500-square-foot home combines luxury living with multigenerational and aging-in-place functionality. It was recently recognized by the National Association of Home Builders as a Multi-Generational Remodel winner for its forward-thinking approach to adaptable living.

Listed for $899,000 by Sue “Pinky” Benson, a real estate pro with the RE/MAX Alliance Group and co-leader of The Benson Boutique Realty Team, the property stands out for more than its spacious four bedrooms, three bathrooms, enclosed sunroom and panoramic lake views. Benson says it seamlessly wove accessibility into its design, blending warmth, flexibility and long-term livability for multiple age groups—what home buyers are increasingly are looking for.

“This isn’t about adding accessibility later,” Benson says. “It’s about building a home that works for every stage of life without compromising comfort or style.”

Accessibility Blends With Luxury

At first glance, the home reads like a modern upscale residence. But layered into its design are features that anticipate changing mobility and long-term living needs.  

Kitchen innovations

• A motorized adjustable cooktop adjusts in height, allowing it to be lowered for seated users or raised for standing use. That makes it functional for multigenerational households to cook together.
• Side-opening double ovens eliminate reaching over hot downward doors, along with an elevated dishwasher that reduces bending and strain during daily use.
• A dedicated roll-up prep station with its own accessible sink allows seated homeowners to fully participate fully in cooking tasks.

Safety and independence

The primary bathroom features a true roll-in shower with a linear drain system, eliminating step-ups entirely and creating a seamless entry. A remote-controlled shower system allows users to set the water temperature and pressure preferences before entering.

• Removable ramps provide flexible access to spaces, such as the sunroom, as needs change.
• Wider hallways and doorways are designed to accommodate walkers or wheelchairs while maintaining architectural flow.
• Pull-down closet systems can bring clothing within easy reach.  

Even materials were selected with long-term usability in mind. For example, commercial-grade, sealed carpeting helps prevent visible wear from mobility devices like wheelchairs and walkers, such as resisting indentation and maintaining a clean, updated appearance.

Marketing a Home for Accessibility

As such features grow in demand, real estate pros are shifting how these homes are marketed. Aging-in-place design and multigenerational layouts are becoming important search terms for buyers finding homes that offer long-term housing solutions.

“We’re seeing people think beyond bedrooms and square footage,” Benson says. “They’re thinking about how a home will actually work for their lives over time.”

It means accessibility is no longer an afterthought but becoming part of the blueprint.

“More buyers are thinking long-term … They’re considering future mobility needs, caring for aging parents, multigenerational living situations, and how a home will function years from now,” Benson says. “What makes this property special is that it addresses those needs beautifully without compromising comfort or design.”