Let’s explore the choice to Retire in Place. The AARP calls it aging in place. Whatever you call it; chances are it will be a senior’s first choice for the early years of retirement. Retirement in place means that you stay for an extended period of time in your current residence. Getting along “just fine” with the stairs, and the kitchen, bath and the rest of the house just as it is. Looking ahead, what if one of the residents develops diminished mobility, eyesight etc. Now, getting along in the old homestead becomes a little “less fine”. A little or a lot of adaptation may be required… Let’s take them one at a time… If the current home is 2 stories with no first floor bedroom and a nearby full bath, someone who can’t negotiate the steps needs some adaptations. Sometimes floor plans lend themselves to modifications some don’t. At the least, there is some work to do. In the kitchen, a person using a wheelchair, walker or is otherwise limited in their mobility, strength or balance may have trouble using the stove, high counters, the refrigerator and freezer, sink and faucets, upper cabinets. In addition they may not be able to see displays from the angle they are forced to look. In the bathrooms there are similar issues: counter height, a bench in the shower, grab bars around the toilet in the shower and bath tub. Around the whole house the need becomes apparent for wider doorways to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers. A senior’s limited range of motion can inhibit reaching for light switches, electrical plugs and, the peephole in the front door and opening that door with a traditional round knob. A senior’s diminished eyesight and manual dexterity limits the ability to operate many gadgets. For example, a modern thermostat, mounted 5 feet high on the wall with 8 point type on the controls and micro buttons to push. Other gadgets also need to be “error” proof. The choice becomes to stay and modify as the need arises, or to remodel the entire existing home using the Universal Design standards or to move into a home that includes Universal Design. Making an informed decision and laying out all of the alternatives is the key to making the right moves without wasting money. Your team members: your Realtor and Universal Design contractors, for example, are there to make it as easy and cost-effective as possible.
