“Aging in Place” should be changed to “Aging at Home”
After a too long Hiatus I am back and dialoging. I hope to provide topical information and thought once again.
Why do I say, aging “at home” instead of “in place”? I say this specifically because aging in place, that is, exactly where you are, may not be feasible for economic, security, availability of services, etc. reasons.
If you are very elderly (and or disabled) and need a high degree of assist in your daily life you may not have a choice but to stay where you are and deal with undesirable circumstances or go to an assisted living or nursing facility.
If you, however are still independent, you can make heartfelt yet practical housing choices. This home should have many of the aspects of universal design with emphasis of visitability and adaptability.
No matter where you choose to spend your twilight years you can make sure that you can be comfortable and content even if your health deteriorates.
The four bedroom 3 level home with lots of stairs and yard that takes a lot of maintenance may still be ok now but can you convert it into one level living with wide doorways, accessible hallways and rooms if this becomes necessary for you or a family member? My guess is probably not without great expense and construction inconvenience. Imagine the workman and the dust and the disruption a renovation can cause.
If you decide it’s your current home and your not moving ” ’til they cart you away”, then for goodness sake, renovate now a little at a time and be prepared. You can google “universal design” and get loads of ideas.
If you find that you can get a new home that you like and need for about the same as a renovation then perhaps you should do that sooner than later, also.
Hey, if you like living among your age peers, there are active adult communities locally and around the country.
If you choose to be among the general populace, perhaps close to where you currently live, close to family, in an urban setting, near a college, on a golf course, at the beach, in the mountains, WHEREVER, do it while you are still fully active.
Filed under: Uncategorized on December 14th, 2009
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