When Home Becomes Harder: Pat’s Turning Point
Pat Lund didn’t start his career in aging in place home modifications or nonprofit work. He began in education, then moved into community programs. Over time, he saw the struggles that older homeowners face: homes that become risky because of stairs, poor lighting, bathroom layouts, or failing appliances. Those weren’t just inconveniences; they were threats to independence and safety.
That observation led Pat into founding Age Well at Home, using his experience with Habitat’s A Brush With Kindness program as a foundation. He saw how modifying homes, not just big projects, but small, targeted changes, can preserve independence, reduce risk, and keep people more secure where they want to be.
“It’s the first time in our country’s history that people over 60 are a larger demographic than under 18. The need for these services is only going to grow until at least 2050.” – Pat Lund
What Age Well at Home Actually Does
Pat’s organization focuses on older adults in the St. Paul – Minneapolis area in Minnesota. The goal is: safe, comfortable, long-term living without uprooting lives.
Here are some of the modifications they do:
- Install better lighting, railing, and ramps to reduce fall risk.
- Adapt bathrooms: grab bars, handheld shower heads, raised toilets.
- Address outside issues like uneven walkways or steps.
- Repair or replace failing appliances to ensure safe, functional homes.
“For under $5,000 and some really simple changes, you can completely change someone’s life and help them stay independent.” – Pat Lund
Age Well at Home combines practical work with a relational approach, treating homeowners with respect, partnering with them rather than treating them as “projects.”
Why Home Service Pros Should Pay Attention
There’s huge demand in home services for “aging-in-place” work. For contractors:
- It’s work that’s meaningful, not just profitable: you’re helping people live with dignity and safety.
- These are often smaller, manageable projects (e.g. adding railings, improving lighting) that may require less heavy lifting but still need skill and care.
- Specialized knowledge (walkways, safety code, accessibility) is an advantage if you build it.
“I know contractors who only do this work and they’re hiring. It’s only going to grow. If you’re good at what you do and good at relationships, you’ll sustain yourself and grow.” – Pat Lund
Pat points out that older homeowners want to stay in place, but often homes weren’t built for aging: stairs, slippery surfaces, low lighting, etc. Fixing that makes a difference not just to safety, but to quality of life.
Lessons From Pat’s Story
Here are takeaways and practical ideas from the conversation with Pat Lund:
- Start small: Don’t assume a full remodel. Look for problem spots that are safety risks.
- Focus on relationships: Trust matters when working in someone’s home, especially with seniors. “They are the experts of who they are. You’re the expert in hammer and nails, but they’re the expert of what they need. Listening and respect are critical.” – Pat Lund
- Understand cost vs impact: Some modifications are low-cost but high-impact.
- Partner locally: Nonprofits, community groups, or local government may have funding or referrals.
Why This Episode Matters
As the population ages, demand for safe home modifications will only grow. For business owners in home services, this means opportunity. Not just for profit, but for doing good work that truly helps people stay where they want to be.
“Research says people who are living in their home do much better than people who are in assisted living or senior centers. They love their neighborhoods and their independence.” – Pat Lund
If you’ve ever wondered how to make your services more inclusive, more helpful to aging clients, or more community-oriented, Pat’s episode is full of insight and inspiration.
Connect With Pat Lund & Age Well at Home
📧 Email: Pat@AgeWellatHome.org
🌐 Website: https://agewellathome.org/
