As we get older, our living environment needs change. Look at me, I’m 46 and tired of walking up my stairs already!!! Anyway, this blog post is the second part to my series on senior living and we’re going to discuss things to consider in preparing your home or looking for a home to age in place in. If you want more information on senior living, visit realestateofhawaii.com/seniors.
Here are some considerations to remember to make sure your home is manageable and comfortable to live in as you get older.
Layout considerations
Whether you are staying in your own home or moving to a slightly smaller home in the same area, it’s important to make sure your home has the right layout in order to make mobility and accessibility easy. A one-story floor plan, or a floor plan where your bedroom and necessary facilities are on the first floor works the best for aging in place, as it’s possible you may need a walker or wheelchair at some point. Another option, if you want to stay in your multistory home is to install a lift or elevator in your home, my grandmother did that in her Alewa Heights home!
Accessibility adjustments
Consider making other adjustments, including handrails in bathrooms for additional stability assistance, and widening doorways to accommodate a wheelchair, should you need it in the future. Swapping doorknobs for lever handles could also help, in case you run into any arthritis or joint issues in your hands and wrists.
Think about your location
Aside from making sure the home is easy to move around in, and accessible in case you have any health issues, you’ll also want to consider the location. It’s important to make sure that the area you’re planning to age-in-place in is close to medical facilities, senior support facilities, and has a good public transportation system, just in case you’re not able to drive in your later years. Proximity to friends, family members, and activities that you enjoy could also be something to consider if maintaining relationships and social circles is important to you.
Keep your yard manageable
Other things you may want to think about as you decide if your home is right to age in place in could include the size and manageability of your yard, the age and condition of your home, and the safety of your neighborhood. Lots that are large and a little worn down could prove to be more troublesome as you age and aren’t able to perform some of the tasks needed for upkeep. If you are planning to move to a new home to age-in-place, you may want to consider somewhere with a small yard, or a community where lawn and house care are available or provided.
Though for many people aging in place may be the ideal plan for retirement, it may not always be feasible. Checking through the above considerations can help you plan and adjust to make sure your home will suit your needs as you get older.
So those are some considerations to think about if you or your loved one wants to age in place.
Thanks for checking out my blog, and in the words of the American author and entrepreneur, Andrena Sawyer, “The only way that getting older can be a bad thing is if you are not fully living in the moment now.” I’ll see you next week!
