The idea of slowing down can be hard to think about. We’re active, independent adults who love our lives, homes and neighborhoods. But the fact is, things often get more challenging as we age. Future mobility challenges are something we should all be thinking about.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly half of adults 75 and over report physical difficulty of some kind. 20 percent say they’re unable to climb 10 stairs without resting. While we may be healthy and fit adults, mobility issues are likely to become an issue for many of us.

Two main factors impact our ability to age in place safely and comfortably. The first is focusing on our health and fitness as we get older. The second is making plans to adapt our home environment for inevitable mobility challenges. Let’s take a look at some of the most effective home modifications for meeting our evolving needs.

Shift to Single Story Living

The evidence is clear: single-story living allows folks to remain in their homes. A Johns Hopkins University study found that living in a single-story house is the number one factor when it comes to aging in place. This also includes homes with essential living spaces (bedroom, full bathroom and kitchen) on the ground floor. Single story living takes the potential dangers of going up and down stairs out of the equation. In most cases, it also creates a smaller, more accessible space to navigate. In some cases, moving into a single-story home makes sense. However, many homeowners have successfully modified existing multi-story homes to accommodate single-floor living. Adding a bedroom and full bath to the ground floor may be all it takes to keep us in our current homes–and it offers extra space in the near-term.

Add a Stairlift

In love with your charming multi-level home? The Johns Hopkins study also identified stairlifts and elevators as helpful tools for allowing for aging in place. Many of us have put tons of time and TLC into creating the home of our dreams. We love our neighbors and our routines. But we have to keep in mind that stairs may become an obstacle down the road. Falling down the stairs is a significant concern for seniors. Climbing stairs can be a challenge even for otherwise healthy seniors. An electric chair lift or stairlift offers a comfortable powered seat to take seniors up and down the stairs with ease. It’s a straightforward modification that can help us stay in our homes. High-quality chair lifts can be costly, but installation costs may qualify for a tax deduction. Planning ahead can also spread out costs.

Add an Elevator 

In the past, it was rare to see elevators in individual homes. But residential elevators are becoming more common and more affordable. In many cases, lifts allow seniors to move easily between floors with wheelchairs and walkers. There are lots of options for residential elevators, with significant differences in appearance, function and cost. Hiring a trained home planner can help you make important design and engineering decisions and decide whether a residential elevator is a good fit for your home.

Reduce Trip and Fall Hazards

In addition to expensive structural changes, we can make simple modifications to our homes to reduce fall risk as we age. These can also be included in planning for mobility changes. Some of the most effective ways to reduce fall hazards include:

• Installing or beefing up handrails
• Adding grab bars in bathrooms 
• Upgrading lighting for better visibility
• Repairing broken or uneven steps
• Removing throw rugs that can slide underfoot

Make Your Mobility Plan Before You Need It

Even if we’re healthy, most of us tend to slow down as we age. If aging in place is a priority, planning ahead for mobility changes is essential. And the best time to start is before problems come up. The most effective approach is to look at your home from an engineering perspective and make a phased plan for modifications. With the help of a professional team, you can decide what changes you’ll need and set up a time frame for putting them in place. HomeSpan specializes in lifetime home planning, helping you make sound decisions to tackle future challenges as they arise. Starting the planning process now can save money, reduce stress and make decisions easier down the road. 

What do we think about when we think about a retirement home? Most of us are looking for a safe, comfortable place where we can enjoy our golden years. We want a place where we can focus on our loved ones and the activities we enjoy after decades of hard work. Buying a retirement home is a big decision. There are so many practical, emotional, and financial decisions involved. Here are a few essential things to think about when shopping for a retirement home.

Consider Location Carefully

Location is one of the most important factors when considering a retirement home. Many of us love the idea of spending our golden years at the beach. But we may not have an accurate picture of our dream location throughout the year. Here are some questions to think about when choosing a change of venue:

• Is the new location close to children, grandchildren, and extended family? We may underestimate the importance of enjoying time with grandchildren and support from adult children as we age.
• Will I have access to my favorite hobbies? If you love golf, tennis or another sport, check out facilities in the places you’re considering and make sure they’re easy to access and join.
• What is the year-round weather like in the location I’m considering? Will dreamy Florida weather in winter mean too much heat in summer? Is my New England summer cottage a nightmare in January?
• Does my location offer walkability and public transportation in case I’m unable to drive later on?
• What community resources does the community offer for seniors? Are there opportunities for social connection and engagement as I age?
• What are real estate and personal property taxes like in my new location?
• Are there medical facilities and providers nearby who can address possible future needs? 
• Try a test run. Use Airbnb or other short term rental sites to check out communities and neighborhoods before you buy.

Think Carefully About Size

How big does your retirement home need to be? Many seniors downsize when they retire, but it’s not always a necessity. Your budget also comes into play as a smaller home is likely to be less expensive. But you’ll also want to consider plans to have friends and family stay and the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you want. Think about the role entertaining plays in your life. Add that to your list when looking at kitchens and common areas.

Make Aging In Place Part of Your Plan

Make sure your retirement home is ready for aging in place. If you plan ahead, you can avoid expensive adaptations and upgrades down the road. Even though you may be happy with a multi-level home in your 50s or 60s, you may need one-level living later. Consider a single level with a master bedroom and a full bathroom on the main floor. Make sure bathrooms and kitchen features are easily accessible and offer the features you’ll need as a senior.

Take Maintenance Into Account

Consider maintenance when shopping for a retirement home. While you might be used to a large yard in your current home, you may want something smaller and easier to manage. Do the houses you’re considering have long driveways or other features that will require clearing and maintenance? Renovating a charming older house might sound wonderful, but do you really want to spend the time and energy to fix it up? A more contemporary home with convenient modern features may make more sense. 

Should I Buy My Retirement Home Before I Retire?

Buying a retirement home early is a trend with younger buyers purchasing second homes with retirement in mind. In many cases, these homes can double as a vacation spot. If you find the right deal, it can be a smart move, especially in up-and-coming areas where real estate values are likely to rise. However, if you’re thinking of buying a retirement home in your 40s, keep in mind that your taste and needs may change in the next three decades. Also, factor in the potential for financial strain with a second home. Could you afford two houses in case of an unexpected job loss or life event?

What If I Want to Retire in My Current Home?

Many of us love the idea of retiring in our current home. We love being close to friends, activities and social networks. We feel safe in our neighborhood and engaged with our community. However, we’ll want to plan for modifications and upgrades for aging in place. The best approach is to make a long-term plan well before updates need to be made. HomeSpan helps homeowners make financial and practical decisions ahead of the curve. If you decide to stay in your current home, we can determine what needs to be done and how to phase in changes affordably. If you’re shopping for a new nest, we can assess prospective houses and give you a checklist of desirable features. If your plans include building your retirement dream home, HomeSpan can help identify essential elements you’ll want for the future and create realistic plans for comfortable aging in place in every phase of life. 

The COVID pandemic has shifted attitudes about aging in place in a major way. It’s prompting many of us to think long-term about what we want our futures to look like. Is assisted living in the cards, or would we rather stay in our homes as we grow old? For most of us, staying put for as long as possible is the objective. Studies show that supported aging in place can have significant benefits to mental and physical health. Remaining at home fosters a sense of connection and contributes to our emotional and financial well-being. Here’s a look at some of the benefits of aging in place.

Staying in Community

When seniors are removed from their communities and social networks to enter long-term care or assisted living, they may suffer from the loss of connection. Making new friends in a completely new setting can be stressful and challenging as we age. Aging in place allows us to preserve valuable support systems. It protects ties with longtime friends and neighbors. It maintains connections with others in our communities– from librarians to the grocery store and pharmacy employees to mail carriers– who provide valuable daily contacts. These community connections can even include cherished pets who may not be allowed in an assisted living setting.

Preserving Purpose

Think about the routines and activities that are most meaningful in your life. Now think about losing them as you grow old. This can include everything from sports and exercise to volunteering. Our routines give us a healthy sense of purpose. According to a report by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, civic engagement and volunteering can reduce mortality,  boost physical health, reduce symptoms of depression and pain and even increase life expectancy. Community-centered routines keep us active and engaged as we age. 

Maintaining Independence

A sense of self-determination is invaluable for seniors. Having choices and control of your life has enormous mental health benefits. Aging in place allows us to maintain agency and a sense of controlling our own destiny, even if we eventually need support down the road. Losing this sense of agency can lead to depression and adverse health outcomes. 

Cost Savings: Long-term care is expensive

When you crunch the numbers, supported aging in place, is usually dramatically cheaper than long-term care. Many seniors own their homes outright, so rent and mortgage expenses no longer come into play. Even with needed modifications and paid support, it’s still less expensive to live at home. According to the HUD report, the cost of non-institutional long-term care is less than one-fifth of the cost of nursing home care. And since long-term care is often covered out of pocket, this means enormous expenses for families. With thousands of dollars each month going to institutional long-term care, savings and inheritances can disappear in the blink of an eye. With smart choices and family support, aging in place can allow you to hold onto your assets and pass them on to the next generation.

Safety

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light the problem of transmission of infectious illnesses in long-term care and assisted living facilities. According to recent analyses by leading publications, more than 40 percent of COVID deaths in the U.S. occur in long-term care facilities. Families are prevented from visiting loved ones because of infection risk, leading to even greater isolation and despair. Many nursing homes are doing an excellent job of protecting residents. But even with best efforts, there’s automatically heightened risk for seniors living in close quarters. Even before COVID, the medical community recognized the dangers of infection from norovirus to the flu in a vulnerable population. The decision to age in place allows seniors and families to make the best decisions with full control. 

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Supported Aging in Place: The Benefits Are Clear

Now more than ever, setting a goal to age in place makes sense. This usually means making changes to our home’s layout and shifting how we live in it. But when we look at the institutional alternatives, the advantages are clear. Many of us have watched friends and loved ones struggle with navigating assisted living settings and have decided that it’s not what we want for ourselves. The good news is there are more resources than ever for setting up a plan to stay in your home. HomeSpan helps homeowners get an accurate, unbiased picture of what aging in place will look like in your current home. We’ll help you make a plan now, with realistic financial projections, to take the guesswork out of the process in the long term. If aging in place is your goal, there’s no time like the present to start making plans.