If given the choice, most of us would like to stay in our homes as we grow older, rather than move in with relatives or into senior communities.
While some houses are now being built for people who want to age in place, most will need some remodeling or upgrades to keep you safe and comfortable as you grow older.
Kevin Brasler, Checkbook’s executive editor, says aging in place is something you need to consider well in advance.
“You don’t need to install a chairlift right now if you don’t need that, but you at least need to start thinking through – if you want to stay in your home – how you’re going to do that, how you’re going to get help with daily activities, and how you’re going to maybe even refurnish your home so that it’s more of an aging friendly place,” Brasler said. “You need to start thinking about these things now, as opposed to waiting until it’s too late when you have an emergency, and you’re scurrying to try to catch up.”
Some retrofits can be fairly simple, such as replacing doorknobs with lever handles that are easier for people with arthritis or other limitations to use. Others are more complicated, such as making doorways wider or raising countertops.
“It’s a good idea in a [kitchen] remodel to make different levels of countertops and spaces where people can roll under, so that at some time in the future, if you are in a chair, you can participate,” said Tom Minty, a charter member of the Northwest Universal Design Council.
A better way to go. Minty said, is to build a house that’s made for those of all ages and abilities.
“For example, universal design says one of the better concepts is to raise the electrical outlets up from the floor, so somebody in a seated position can reach them, and raise the light switches down for the same reason,” Minty told Checkbook. “But builders generally will put them where they always have. In fact, the ‘standard’ for where they’re placed now initially came about because that was the height of a framing hammer handle. So, it’s definitely not a scientific process.”
If you’re thinking about remodeling or upgrading your home to make it universally accessible, consider consulting with a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist.
To earn that certification, contractors, builders, and architects must take a two-day course on designing for and dealing with aging clients. It’s not a terribly rigorous program, but certification does indicate that a contractor or other pro is interested in and performs this type of work.
More from Checkbook:
Consumerpedia Podcast, Episode 35: Aging in Place
Creating an Aging-Friendly Space
Hiring Help at Home for Seniors
Getting You to Places and Getting Stuff to Your Place
Maintaining or Building Relationships While Aging in Place
Resources and Help for Seniors
Herb Weisbaum, The ConsumerMan, is a contributing editor at Checkbook.org, a nonprofit organization with a mission to help consumers get good service and low prices. It does this by providing unbiased ratings, advice, and price information. Checkbook is supported by consumers and takes no money from the service providers it evaluates.