In this new (or more accurately, retro) economy that we are learning to live in, of save before you buy, it is good to know that all is not lost in regards to your home. Everyone now realizes that getting a loan from a bank for a new house is next to impossible in respect to the way it was just a few years ago, and even though it is certainly a healthier and more responsible way to treat our finances, we do not have to give up on the ability to live in a home that suits us. Instead of just selling and moving, selling and moving, as our lives change, it is time to think about our house growing with us and for us.
This concept is not necessarily new, but it might be forgotten. The current term for this idea is “aging in place.” This thought pattern allows us to realize that a house can be molded to suit our lives or even designed so that the house can accommodate our changing lives without much effort. As our population grows and ages, we need to keep our eyes not just on our immediate needs, but our future needs as well. Financially speaking, our existing homes have so much value to us that making some simple modifications, updates, or additions can create a home that will outlast us all and keep our financial situations in the black instead of red!
With a little bit of thought and guidance, everything in your house can be adjusted in a way to accommodate any situation that arises. From a growing family, to a temporary or even permanent disability, to health, or even plain old aging, your home should be the most comfortable place to stay. While many improvements are easy and simple, others may require more work, but the end result will be a modern and comfortable home for all stages of your life. If you are in a situation where you are able to build or buy a new home, just make sure that your house is finished with these ideas already implemented and you will have a home that will age WITH you and not AGAINST you!
Some quick ways to improve your home to aid with either aging or disabilities is to change out your toggle switches to rocker switches, change any round door knobs and bath/kitchen faucets to lever style, add pull out/ hand held devices at kitchen sinks and showers, add lighting to make sure all is bright and use compact fluorescent or LED bulbs so you don’t have to keep changing them and save electricity and lower heat build up at the same time. Some other relatively easy solutions include widening door sizes, adjusting countertop levels, changing out commodes for a higher seat height, installing wall hung sinks or adding knee spaces under sinks, rearranging appliances, or even incorporating smart home features that will allow you to control your house from any room or even by talking to it!!
Other solutions may not be so simple, but are quite effective in allowing your house to accommodate you, without breaking the bank or requiring a year long loan process. Remodeling your existing bath or kitchen space will allow you to create a floor plan that will work for all phases of life and allow you to create a space you love. You can make a large walk-in shower with a shower seat and hand held shower head for ease of cleaning and bathing. You can create the space you need in your kitchen with some rearranging as well. New cabinets with pullout shelves and self-closing drawers are great features for anyone. New appliances will make your kitchen utilitarian as well as dress up your home. Adding a whole new room or living space can also be more economical than moving. Sometimes it is possible to add an elevator to keep your home from becoming inaccessible. With the right designer and builder you can keep your home and live in it well; it just takes some thought, some planning, and the right amount of care to allow you to Age in Place!!
Please feel free to call me any time about any question you have with this tip or anything else on your mind at 512.413.9281.
