AARP tests program at Home Depot

Published 9:00 pm Wednesday, December 1, 2004

ATLANTA – AARP is teaming up with Home Depot Inc. to designate products the nation’s largest seniors’ group deems safer and more user-friendly for older Americans.

AARP plans to mark products at Home Depot stores with a seal of approval for people 50 and older under a test program that could be expanded to other retail outlets.

The criteria and types of products for the seal of approval program are still being determined, but some being considered may include bath and electrical fixtures, as well as certain types of hardware that can help older people live in their homes more independently.

Home Depot, in turn, hopes the program will allow it to tap into the growing customer base that older people represent.

“They are very home-oriented, with significant disposable income,” merchandising chief John Costello said.

Atlanta-based Home Depot plans to start rolling out the seal of approval items in an unspecified number of its 1,835 stores by next year, officials said. The program, an extension of a hiring partnership between AARP and the nation’s largest home improvement store chain, is to be officially launched today.

Home Depot also will offer clinics to teach seniors home improvement skills.

AARP chief executive William Novelli said more seniors today want to live independently, and home improvement projects can help them do that.

“They don’t want to go into nursing homes. They don’t want to go live with their children. They want to live at home,” Novelli said. “Obviously, there are limitations. But even if someone is in a wheelchair, there are ways to modify kitchens.”