The life expectancy has risen 10.5 years since 1950.  More and more
people are living longer than ever before.  People do not want to move from their homes they want to Age in Place.  Aging in Place is a hot topic right now.  The definition is, according to dictionary .com, “Having the mental and physical capability of living in one’s own home in old age; not having to move from one’s present residence to receive care or services in old age.”

Have you thought about your house?  Can you effectively live in your home as you age?  No one knows what will happen in their life as they age.  I know one of my knees gets sore more often than it did before.  Is it an issue now? No, but it could be in another 30 years.  I might not be able to walk up stairs.

There are two options when thinking about Aging in Place:

• Modifying your home to meet your needs as you age

• Moving to a community or with loved ones who has the living environment that fits your needs

We are going to talk about one today,  Aging in Place in your own home.  The first step most people do is look at their house to see if it fits what they need, or can fit what they need with a little modification.  I believe in being proactive.  Start looking at what you might need early.  The reason for this, is that you will be able to make a plan to either modify or move when you get older.  If you notice that your home is not equipped with what you think you will need in the later stages of your life, ask these two questions.

• Can my home be modified so that I can live comfortably as I get older?

• What can I do to my house to maximize my sales price and buy a home that will fit my needs in the later stages in life?

If you answered “Yes” to the first questions, then look at what modifications you might need to assist you in Aging in Place.  I have listed some areas that will need to be addressed below.

If you answered “NO” to the first question, then be proactive and do some updating on your home.  By doing this, it will help to maximize your profit you can make on your home when you sell it.  That money then can be used to buy a new home.  In my next post, I will talk about what to look for in an Aging in Place community.

Six Areas for Aging in Place

• Bathroom

• Faucets, switches, and controls

• Entry and stairs

• Kitchen

• Home design and layout

• Home care

When addressing these areas there are specific things that should be discussed.  Depending on your situation, you home, and what your long term plans are, will help determine what kind of modifications you will want or need.

Bathroom

• Tub and shower controls offset

• Light in shower stall

• Shower stall with low or no threshold, trench drain

• Fold down shower seat

• Hand-held shower-head with 6 foot hose

Faucets, Switches, and Controls

• Temperature-controlled or anti-scald for faucets

• Lever faucet handles

• Easy-to-read, push button controls

• Lever door handles

• Loop drawer handles

• Easy-to-read, programmable thermostat

Entry and Stairs

• At least one entry without stairs

• 36″ wide doors with offset hinges

• Side window at entrance or lowered peep hole

• Handrails on both sides of the stairs

• Outside stair height below 4″

Kitchen

• Cabinets with pull-out shelves and turntables

• Wall cabinets set below (about 3″) standard height

• Glass cabinet doors or open shelving

• East-to-grasp cabinet knobs, pulls, or loop handles

• Task lighting under cabinets

Home Design and Layout

• Easy-open windows with low sills

• Color contrast between walls and floors, matte finish wall coverings

• Adequate, accessible storage

• Wide halls and doorways (interior doors and hinges can be removed)

• “Flex room” for family visits or live-in care provider

Home Care

• Low maintenance exterior an landscaping

• Housekeeping service

• Repair service

• Security and emergency alert services

• Uncluttered, unobstructed exterior and interior pathways