• "Research now shows that things like light, nature, social connection and smart technology built into our home environments can really have a meaningful impact on our cognitive health."

Zoom in: Batchelor says home additions like a front porch can help owners meet their neighbors.

• And the more windows, the better.

An affordable hack: Batchelor installed smart lightbulbs and programmed them to automatically follow natural light patterns — warm in the morning to cool-bright come afternoon, and amber tones for evening.

The intrigue: Moss walls — a trendy fixture in restaurants and office buildings — are making their way into homes, Tricia Skoler, a real estate agent and neuroscience specialist, tells Axios.

• "In real estate, I'm seeing more people want access to nature," she says. In the absence of yard space, a living or moss wallscape can stimulate similar senses.

Another trend she's seeing: multifunctional furniture, especially for tight spaces like tables or beds that double as storage, or modular blocks that can build furniture and also serve as a brain-tickling puzzle.

What's new: As the boomer generation ages, demand is growing for homes that support long-term health — especially for those hoping to stay put.

• A new wave of AI-driven tools aims to help older adults maintain memory, build healthy habits and stay connected. Batchelor points to ElliQ, a sleek, tabletop robotic companion that can remind users to take medication, track vitals, generate personalized exercise plans, and facilitate chats or games with family, friends or others in the ElliQ network.
• It also offers peace of mind for caregivers. Loved ones can receive alerts about changes in mood or comfort, and monitor when someone was last active.

The bottom line: "Home is often where our health is made or lost," says Batchelor. "We need to design our lives so our homes are places where we can age well."